The best way to prep your home for spring is to start while it is still cold. Winter gives you time to spot damage, clean up indoors and line up exterior projects before every contractor in Connecticut gets busy. Here is what to check now and what to plan, so your house is ready the day the weather turns.
Check the Roof, Gutters and Foundation
Snow and ice are hard on a house, and winter is when leaks show themselves. Look at the ceilings and the tops of the walls inside for water stains. If you find any, have a roofing professional inspect the roof instead of climbing up there yourself in cold, slippery conditions.
From the ground, look along the eaves for ice dams. An ice dam forms when snow melts on the warmer part of the roof, runs down to the cold edge and freezes again. The ridge of ice blocks the meltwater behind it, and that water can back up under the shingles and into the walls, where it leads to rot and mold. Heavy icicles along the gutters are a common warning sign.
When the snow melts, make sure water is draining away from the house and not pooling around the gutters or the foundation. Walk the perimeter and look for new cracks or low spots where water collects.
Look over the steps, railings and doors
Freezing and thawing loosen things. Give each outdoor railing a firm shake to see whether it has worked loose over the winter, and check the front steps for cracks. Open and close the exterior doors and note any that stick, leak cold air or show worn weatherstripping. Small problems found now are easy to add to a spring project list.
Do a Thorough Pre-Spring Cleaning
Indoor cleaning is much easier to finish before the yard starts demanding your weekends. Work room by room. Dust every surface, including the ceiling fans. Vacuum carpets and rugs, wash the floors and wipe down the furniture.
Wash the inside of the windows and mirrors too. Clean glass lets you see problems you might otherwise miss, such as fogging between the panes or cracked seals. If the windows were drafty all winter, this is a good moment to look into vinyl replacement windows.
Plan an Awning for Your Patio or Deck
If your deck or patio gets too hot to use in July, winter is the time to do something about it. A fabric awning shades the outdoor area, keeps a passing shower off the furniture and cuts the amount of sun coming through the windows and doors behind it.
Retractable awnings for decks and patios extend when you want shade and roll back when you want sun. If you would prefer a permanent roof over the space, aluminum and fabric patio covers are the other option to consider. Our guide on how to choose the perfect patio awning walks through size, fabric and placement.
Ordering in winter means the awning can be measured, made and installed in time for the first warm weekend, not halfway through summer.
Why Winter Planning Helps You Prep Your Home for Spring
You beat the spring rush
Spring is one of the busiest seasons for exterior contractors. Homeowners come out of winter with a list, and calendars fill quickly. Starting now lets you choose the company you want and get a place on the schedule before the wait grows.
You have time to get the details right
Windows, doors, railings and awnings all involve choices about style, color and material. Planning early gives you time to look at samples, compare options and make decisions without pressure.
You allow for lead times
Many exterior products are made to measure, and materials are not always available immediately. Ordering ahead means everything is on hand when the weather is right for installation.
You can do the groundwork now
Some preparation can happen in the cold months: clearing debris, taking measurements and having a contractor assess what the job needs. With that finished, the project can start as soon as conditions allow.
Your home is ready for peak season
Spring is a popular time to sell a house. Exterior work completed early in the season improves curb appeal before buyers start looking. If you are staying put, you simply get more months to enjoy the result.
Start Planning Your Spring Project
Aladdin Inc has been helping Connecticut homeowners with awnings, windows, doors and railings since 1949. To talk through a project and get on the schedule before spring, call (203) 776-9996 or send us a message.