Gutters
Improper draining of a gutter can cause water to collect around your crawl space and foundation. A clogged gutter can rot the wood trim, creating holes for little critters to enter your attic. Cleaning out leaves and other gunk from your gutters will prevent them from getting clogged and draining improperly. If it is falling off in places or is leaking, you should either get it repaired or replaced.
Roof
You don’t have to climb onto your roof to see if anything is wrong. Many issues are visible from the ground, and believe it or not, using your binoculars or a camera to zoom in on the problem areas can help identify problems. Check for missing or damaged shingles.
Sprinklers
When available, you should run each section of sprinklers to make sure everything is working properly. Check to see if there are any broken or damaged heads, if they are spraying the wrong way, or if there is an area that collecting an excess amount of water.
Concrete
The constant freezing and thawing that happens during an Idaho winter can be damaging to concrete. You should take a look at your driveway and sidewalks to see if there are any cracks or other damage.
Deck and Fence
Make sure that there are no loose or rotting boards in your deck or fence. Depending on how much exposure they get to rain and sun, wood fences and decks need to be stained and sealed every few years. Frequent exposure to water will turn the wood a dark gray, so you will want to get it treated to protect it.
Siding
Inspect your home exterior siding and look for rot, mold, cracks, warping, bowing, or melting (vinyl siding melting due to heat from the BBQ is very common). Contact a siding professional to address any areas. You don’t want to leave your home exterior vulnerable to water intrusion.
Windows
Make sure that your windows are sealed and caulked, that the frames are tight, and that there are no holes or tears in the screen. This will prevent bugs and water from entering your home, and also prevents the cool or warm air from escaping.
Don’t have time to go through this checklist? – Let us help!
Contact Five Star Home Inspections and we’ll check these items and much more. We will provide a thorough spring maintenance inspection of your home to ensure that everything is working properly and efficiently.