Spring is a time for renewal both for ourselves and our homes. It’s also a great reminder to check key areas around the home for defects or repairs.
Here’s a handy checklist from the nationwide experts at Pillar To Post Home Inspectors.
Interior
- Check ceiling and surfaces around windows for evidence of moisture
- Check caulking around showers, bathtubs, sinks and toilet base
- Verify ceiling areas beneath bathrooms have no leakage
- Ensure all stairs and railing do not have any loose sections
- Test all fire and safety systems regularly, including carbon monoxide (CO) detectors
- Know the location of all gas shut-off valves
Heating & Cooling
- Clean or change furnace filters every three months of operation
- Lubricate fan and motor bearings (only where indicated)
- Check fan belt tension and listen for unusual noises
- Keep area around heating and cooling equipment clear
- For boiler systems, check water level and shut-off valve for leaks
- Have system serviced annually prior to the start of the season
Doors & Windows
- Look for loose or missing glazing putty
- Check caulking for deterioration at the openings and joints between dissimilar materials (e.g. wood and masonry)
- Check weather stripping
- Check for broken glass and damaged or missing screens
- Inspect all window and door hardware
Roof
- Check for any missing, loose or damaged shingles
- Look for open seams, blisters, bald areas on flat roofs
- Clean gutters, strainers and downspouts. Make sure downspouts divert water away from the foundation.
- Verify the attic has no evidence of any leaks
- Check flashing (sheet metal placed on joints of the roof to prevent water seepage) around all surface projections, sidewalls and protrusions
- Trim back all tree limbs and vegetation away from the roof
- Check fascia (board or roof trim) and soffits (connecting the roof overhang and the side of your building) for deterioration and damage
Foundation & Exterior
- Check foundation walls and floors for cracking, heaving, spalling, deterioration or efflorescence
- Inspect chimney for loose, deteriorated or missing mortar or bricks
- Check grading for proper slope away from the foundation
- Verify basement and crawlspace has no moisture or leaks
- Check all wood surfaces for weathering and paint failure
- Inspect all decks, patios, porches, stairs and railings for deterioration
- Cut back and trim all vegetation from structures
For more information, visit www.pillartopost.com.
