By Dan Kern, Owner of Ace Handyman Services - Fox Valley - March 19th, 2024
Hello Spring, 2024!
Though the temperatures may not feel like it, Spring has arrived in Chicagoland and the Fox Valley. Even after a pretty warm winter, it is great to see the Vernal Equinox come as it marks the start of the Spring season in the Northern Hemisphere.
I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to warm days and evenings spent enjoying the outdoors.
As the days get longer and the temperatures rise, it is time to think about projects all homeowners should do in and around their houses. Let's face it, Winters can be hard on our homes. Spring too can wreak havoc including fluctuating temperatures, heavy wind and rain, and animals of all types looking for places to raise their families.
Here are some essential tasks to tackle as spring arrives:
- Inspect and clean gutters: Remove any leaves, branches, or debris that may have accumulated over the winter to ensure proper drainage. Make sure that downspouts are also functional and positioned to move water away from your house. Birds such as doves and robins make nests in debris in gutters. For those places where there are a lot of leaves and that are regular nesting sites, it may make sense to add gutter guards.
- Check your roof: Look for missing, damaged, or loose shingles. Check for signs of leaks or water damage inside your home as well.
- Inspect your foundation: Look for cracks or signs of shifting in your foundation. Addressing these issues early can prevent more significant problems later. The ground can move due to water erosion and frost heave. It is also a good idea to check to see if there are critters that have burrowed around your foundation. It is amazing to see how much damage ground squirrels and chipmunks can do undermining concrete. Other critters can also take up residence around your foundations and create havoc.
- Inspect screens: Look at your window screens and storm doors to make sure they can keep the flying pests out of the house. With the temperatures rising there will be more opportunity to open windows and doors to let the fresh air in. Now is the time to make sure they are fully functional. Replacing screens and adjusting operations can add enjoyment to the warm weather soon to come.
- Service your HVAC system: Schedule a professional to inspect and clean your heating and cooling system to ensure optimal performance. Simple things such as cleaning leaf debris from your air conditioning condenser and cutting back vegetation will allow the system to run much more efficiently when needed.
- Inspect and clean your chimney: If you have a fireplace, have your chimney inspected and cleaned to remove any built-up creosote. Make sure the chimney cap is properly secured to prevent critters from taking up residence. Cleaning now when the demand is lower could mean a lower price from professional chimney sweeps.
- Inspect your dryer and exhaust vents: Spring is the time of the year when we see all sorts of birds make their way into the area and begin nesting. Grackles, starlings, and sparrows love to find vents outside of homes to set up house. These birds will build nests blocking the escape of humid and dangerous air from inside the house. Their nest can also cause a backup of carbon monoxide or create a fire hazard. Simple cages installed over these vents will prevent nests from being built.
- Check your outdoor faucets and irrigation system: Look for leaks or damage and ensure everything is functioning properly.
- Inspect your deck or patio: Look for any signs of damage or rot and address any issues to ensure the safety and longevity of your outdoor space. Spring is a great time to make repairs before the outdoor entertainment begins.
These are just a few things to get you started on your spring home maintenance checklist!
Ace Handyman Services Fox Valley is here to help you resolve these issues. Our multi-skilled craftsmen are bonded, insured, and background-checked. If the work is not something we can do for you, we have a list of partners we can refer you to.
Call Ace Handyman Services Fox Valley today at 847-737-7220, or
visit our website at https://www.acehandymanservices.com/offices/fox-valley to schedule an appointment. We can help you get a head start on Spring and your outdoor entertainment season!