It’s a welcome time of the year following a long winter, but springtime brings a new set of responsibilities that you should be aware of in order to keep your home in good shape.

Consider these home maintenance tips as you gear up for spring:

• Check your gutters—Inspect gutters or downspouts to ensure the spring rains will be properly drained away from your home to avoid flooding or water damage.
• Inspect the roof—Check your roof for any signs of warping, cracking or loose shingles or tiles. Inspect any flashing around chimneys, skylights or vents, and replace any damaged materials. If necessary, hire a licensed roofer to make the repairs.
• Seal windows and doors—The cold winter weather can loosen, harden and crack seals around windows and doors. Inspect these areas and make the necessary repairs to help keep water and unwanted pests out of your home and reduce summer cooling costs.
• Fix concrete cracks—Take the time to inspect your driveway, sidewalk and other paths on your property. The freezing and thawing that comes with changing seasons can cause plenty of damage to concrete and asphalt.
• Beat the heat—Even though the rising temperatures are welcome now, come summer, you may need some relief. Plan ahead and have a qualified heating and cooling professional check on your air conditioning system now so that it is ready to operate at peak efficiency.

Owning a home means that there is a constant need for upkeep and maintenance. As such, it’s important that you know which challenges and tasks should be prioritized and when.

Is Your Roof Protecting You From the Elements?

The health and construction of your home’s roof are vital for protecting your home and its contents. Wind, rain, hail and snow can slowly degrade your roof. To promote the health of your roof and protection of your home, inspect your roof every spring and fall for the following common signs of wear and tear:

• Cracked, curling or missing shingles
• Debris-filled rain gutters
• Asphalt debris on the ground or in rain gutters
• Worn areas around chimneys or other fixtures
• Drainage or downspouts that angle toward the foundation
• Outside light shining through to your attic

If you spot any of the above signs of wear and tear, it may be time to repair or replace your roof. Follow these steps in order when re-roofing yourself, or hire only licenced roofing contractors for repairs, replacement or advice on appropriate roof materials:

1. Remove tree branches that hang over the roof.
2. Remove the existing roof cover.
3. Inspect the roof for damage, and replace damaged sections.
4. Re-nail the roof deck.
5. Anchor gable end outlookers.
6. Seal the roof deck against water.
7. Install flashing.
8. Apply the roof cover.
9. Apply roof vents.

Contact us today to learn about your home insurance policy and to make sure you’re covered.