The Sticky SouthHomeowners in humid areas know that maintenance is a year-round activity. However, Spring is a perfect time to focus on some particular areas:
- After a wet, cold winter, your rain gutters probably need some attention. Have them cleaned out or, if you’re comfortable on a ladder, scoop them out with a trowel. Also look for areas where the gutter may have pulled away from the house.
- For homes with wood siding or trim, look for fungal damage or termite infestation on any exposed horizontal surfaces and at the joints.
- Give your house a bath with a garden hose and a spray nozzle. If you’re not experienced with a pressure washer, leave that to a pro since it’s easy to force water behind wood siding, which can cause mold problems.
- Check to make sure the attic and/or roof fans are operating, since they’ll help the house breath during a hot spell.
These Spring maintenance tips apply anywhere: Replace your smoke alarm batteries; cut away any tree branches that are hovering over your roof; and even though everything's probably still moist, run your automatic sprinklers to make sure the heads are unclogged and flowing freely.
Finally, stuff that jacket and scarf in the back of the closet and forget about them...at least until November.
