It’s easy to get excited about the warmer weather but forgetting to properly transition your home from winter to spring can quickly disrupt your fun in the sun. Before you completely push the winter months out of your mind, it is important to know the common mistakes made when transitioning from season to season. Luckily, Afterglow knows the top three most common mistakes you should avoid to ensure you and your home are completely ready for a beautiful spring season.
Mistake #1 – Assume everything is fine
One of the most common mistakes when transitioning from season to season is assuming everything is in good shape simply because you checked it at the end of the last season. In reality, the opposite is true, especially between winter and spring. To get your house ready for the wet spring weather, you’ll first need to assess the extent of the damage caused by the ice and snow. A quick, basic inspection includes checking the gutters and roof for any damage, verifying that all the pipes made it through the cold without breaking, and ensuring that windows and doors are still properly sealed to prevent your heating/cooling bills from increasing.
Mistake #2 – Assume that snow is the only thing collecting in the gutters
If you cleaned your gutters before winter began there shouldn’t be a lot to clean out now, but it’s still important to check on them. At the base of the gutters clean up any twigs, leaves or other debris that may have gathered over the winter so it will be able to flow correctly. If there’s any remaining ice you can add some ice melt tablets or de-icing salt to get it running and make sure that they are flowing properly to prevent flooding. If gutters are clogged, water will overflow onto or into the house and also will be trapped in the gutter after rain. This moisture will cause rot in wood fascia and soffit boards (the wood near where gutters are attached).
Mistake #3 – Forgetting to check vents and filters
Your new motto is: if it has a screen, it should be cleaned!
All winter, any exterior ventilation has been closed off by snow, ice or your run-of-the-mill yard debris. Cleaning these areas will help them start the drying out process by allowing the spring airflow to come through. Vents can usually be found under the eaves and around the base of the home. Mend or replace broken screens and remove any debris that may block it. Another important vent to check is the dryer vent which should be cleaned or replaced every six months or it could overheat and start a fire. Finally, clean (or replace) the filters for your A/C unit so you don’t run into any hiccups in the middle of a heat wave this year!
Contact Afterglow for your Spring-prep needs! You can count on us for honest, professional service to keep your home comfortable and a low-pressure sales team to answer all your questions. For service emergencies, call 519-747-7732 for a guaranteed response time of four hours or less.