March Home Maintenance

If you are in the northern hemisphere March is the month the plants are beginning to defrost.  Some of us are even seeing flowers begin to bloom!  Maybe that doesn’t mean much to you, but if you are getting restless and edgy for Spring to arrive, this list of home maintenance for March should help keep you busy until you can get out on the deck to kick back and enjoy the sunset. 

The Pros at  All Pro Xteriors,  have a list of some of the chores that should be tackled now, in early spring to protect your home and prolong the life of its components:

• Clean the gutters.  Disclaimer, if your roof is still covered in a foot or two of snow, this is not for you yet.  Once the snow has melted and the temperatures are at least in the fifties and sixties, you climb your ladder to clean out the gutters before the infamous April showers.  You won’t have the summer sun beating down so you can get the gutters cleared of winter debris without risk of heat stroke.  Decomposing leaves, pine needles, and other debris from last fall and winter can block gutters and drains.  Overflowing gutters and blocked downspouts are not just unsightly; they can lead to damaged siding and even damage your foundations. Hint: if you want to avoid this chore all together, talk to All Pro Xteriors at 952-486-7834 or visit All Pro Xteriors Inc  about gutter guards or to get a free inspection of your gutters.  Gutter guards, screens, or tension covers, help keep debris out of gutters and are easier to clean off.  Debris often blows off the screens, instead of falling into the gutters.

• Clean the siding too.  Get rid of the dirt that can lead to mildew – that green stuff that covers the side of homes and shortens the life span of your siding.  Your home will look fresh and ready for Spring.  If you think your siding may need to be replaced, call All Pro Xteriors at 952-486-7834 or visit us at AllProXteriors.com to set up a free inspection.

• Clean your AC condenser.  You may not need the Air conditioner now, but soon you may wish you had it ready.  Remove the dust and debris that accumulates on the condenser (big metal vented box next to your home) so the air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to circulate cooler air.  You could use a garden hose to gently spray the outside of the condenser, but avoid using a pressure washer or scrub brushes.  Those could damage or bend the metal fins over the vents. 
• Go play outside in the yard.  If you can’t wait to get back into the garden, there is work that can be done now.  You can clear the branches dead leaves and twigs from your yard.  Plants like rose bushes may need pruning right before they come out of dormancy, so March is a good time to check plants that need attention.  Remove diseased buds and toss into trash to avoid spreading infestation or disease.
• Clean and repair deck.  Leaves and debris left on your deck can stain and induce rot.  Cleaning, especially with a power washer set on wide spray can remove even the debris between boards, adding life to your deck.  While you are out there, check for loose boards and pound in nails that are sticking out. 
• Caulk around windows and doors.  Sometimes the windows are in good shape, but need fresh caulk around them.  If you don’t feel you can do this, a professional can caulk an average size home for less than you may think.  If you aren’t sure whether you need new windows and doors or new caulk, call All Pro Xteriors at 952-486-7834 or visit AllProXteriors.com for a free inspection.

• Inspect walkways and driveways.  You see it on the roads you use: Winter is tough on concrete and asphalt. The freeze and thaw cycles seep into and expand tiny crevices until they are big cracks in stone and concrete.  So, once the snows melt,  check the concrete and asphalt walkways and driveways on your property too.  Sealants are made for different materials, so find one for the material you have and seal the fresh or widening cracks you find.  Check the label on the sealant to see if there is temperature restrictions on application, and wait for a temperate day to apply the sealant. 

• Check your roofing if you did not do this last month.  Last month we recommended checking your roof for leaks, even if you do this by going up to your attic and checking for wet spots or dripping water.  Outside, look for loose or missing shingles, worn or rusted flashing and cracks in vent pipe boots or collars (rubber flashing where pipe comes out of roof). If this is beyond your Spring capabilities, visit us at AllProXterior.com to book your free roof inspection. 

Once the snow melts away, and the buds come out, the relief of Spring’s milder temperatures brings smiles back to our faces.  Give your home some of that joy too.  Taking stock of these things can mean the proverbial “a stitch in time can save nine”.  Have a great March from your friends at ResourceShark.com.