When spring blossoms usher away the winter cold, it is time to take care of a few important improvements around your home. Harsh weather has a way of leaving its mark on your home--the cold and rain can leave considerable damage--issues that should be dealt with before they cause bigger problems. Following are 8 post-winter repairs that should be taken care of sooner than later.
1. Fix damaged roofing
If you've seen any signs of your roof leaking, be sure to check for problems.
2. Repair water-stained ceilings
If the roof has leaked, there is likely to be a brown stain on the ceiling somewhere downhill from the leak--but not necessarily directly below the source of the leak. Don't try to paint right over a ceiling stain without proper preparation--the stain may bleed through the paint finish. Before painting, seal the stain with a stain sealer. Then you will probably need to repaint the entire ceiling (you can try to touch up the area, but, for uniformity, a complete re-paint will likely be necessary).
3. Repair roof flashing leaks
Many serious roof leaks are due to broken or improper roof flashing.
4. Repair siding leaks
If you've discovered any areas where your home's siding doesn't hold out rain and cold, you'll have to make repairs.
5. Clean raingutters and downspouts
Water damage is often caused by clogged raingutters and downspouts. Dry weather offers a good opportunity for cleaning them out so water will drain properly.
6. Clear up basement or crawl space flooding
If your basement or crawlspace become flooded, it is important to dry it out to prevent mold and dry rot, and to stop moist air from being drawn up into the living space where humidity can encourage condensation and mold.
7. Repair rotted woodwork
Where wood sills or sash have rotted because of too much moisture, you can use epoxy wood filler to repair the area. Use a chisel to dislodge most of the loose, rotted wood. Drill a few 1/4-inch holes into the damaged wood. Soak the entire rotted area with liquid epoxy "consolidant" to transform the area into a sturdy base for filler. Let the wood absorb it for about 5 minutes, then reapply, wait, reapply, and continue until the wood ceases to accept consolidant.
Knead a batch of epoxy filler, according to label directions, and mold the repair. As the material cures, dip a putty knife in solvent, and use it to sculpt and shape the repair. Sand, file or rasp as needed, and paint the area within 3 days.
If large areas are affected, talk with a carpenter or cabinetmaker.
8. Service your furnace and/or air conditioner. With forced-air systems, air returning to the air handler's blower first passes through an air filter designed to catch dust and debris and help clean the air before it's recycled to your home. A good furnace filter can help reduce allergens. When filters become clogged with dust, efficiency is reduced. Change filters quarterly or sooner if they look dirty.
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