Springtime Projects You Should Complete Before the First Thunderstorm
Warmer temperatures are finally here after a long winter. It’s natural to want to spend the first pleasant days picnicking in the park. However, you should knock some springtime projects off your to-do list before you relax and tiptoe through the tulips.
There are multiple benefits to sprucing up the old homestead. You can increase your property value but — perhaps more importantly — protect your home from future, pricier damage by addressing issues while they remain minor.
What should you add to your seasonal home maintenance list before you head to the big box store for supplies? Here are six springtime projects you should complete before the first thunderstorm.
Photo by Diego Segoviano
1. Cleaning Your Gutters
Your roof springs a leak. Water drips inside your walls, sparking an electrical fire while you sleep. Fortunately, one easy way to prevent such scenarios is to clean your gutters twice a year. When leaves and debris fill your roof’s gutters, water has nowhere to go, but gravity demands a toll. Often, this causes leaks that can result in severe damage if you let them progress.
If you have a single-story home, get out the ladder, don your hard hat and go to work clearing your gutters out — spring and fall are the best times. Before you climb, invest in a set of gutter guards to prevent so much gunk from accumulating next time. While you might need to use a hose or a leaf blower to do the dirty work, your subsequent cleanouts will be easier with protection.
While on the ladder, inspect your roof. Signs that it’s time for a total replacement include:
Age: Most roofs last about 20 years, although tile sometimes resists wear and tear longer.
Sagging: This sign of rot needs immediate attention to prevent more serious damage.
Missing shingles: Or tiles if you live in the southwest.
Visible dark streaks or roof vegetation: Plants growing on your roof indicate trapped moisture, a sure sign of trouble.
2. Organize Your Garage
Imagine cruising various neighborhoods and shopping for a new home. Behind one for sale sign, you spy your typical open garage with its scattered array of toys, lawn tools, auto parts and stained concrete. Behind the next is an organized space with a spotless floor, classy shelves and cabinets, and freshly painted walls. Which one would catch your eye?
When asked what they look for in a home, an organized garage space is among the top items on many new homebuyers’ lists. Fortunately, giving your parking space a quick springtime facelift is not complicated or pricey. Here’s how:
Take everything out, sorting it into three piles — to keep, repurpose/recycle or sell/donate. Free.
Paint your floor with epoxy resin to hide stains and cracks and prevent future ones — roughly $200.
Paint your interior walls — $50.
Hang a pegboard and erect a few cabinets and shelves to organize your items — $100 to $500.
It’s also wise to insulate this space if it isn’t already. Doing so will save you money every time you open the door in extreme temperatures and prevent the floor in the room above your garage from freezing in winter.
3. Paint Your Exterior
If your exterior resembles a Halloween haunted house with all the peeling paint, it’s time to get out the brush and roller. Fortunately, this springtime project is among the most affordable if you DIY.
What if your exterior looks dull but not chipped? While you can paint surfaces like vinyl siding, a thorough power washing with a pressure washer you can rent at most big box stores could be all the brightening you need. While you have the device, tackle your deck — watching years’ worth of grime slide off in long strips is infinitely satisfying.
If you don’t have the budget for a full paint job, tackle the accents — your front and garage door and shutters. You might be able to do them all with a single can of paint, depending on the size of your home. A striking hue can transform your exterior look.
You should tackle this springtime project before the first thunderstorm for temperature purposes. It’s best to tackle exterior painting between 50° and 90° Fahrenheit with less than 40% humidity.
4. Plant Your Summer Garden
Another hot item on new homebuyers’ wishlists is outdoor living and entertaining space. Socializing outside is simply safer in an era of infectious disease.
What if you plan a major backyard overhaul this season? If so, start by sketching your ideas and creating a budget. Keep in mind features such as walls and old paving may cost more to remove and replace — can you save money with a different design?
If money isn’t a concern, the sky’s the limit. Your decision-making boils down to one question — do you plan to stay in your home long-term or sell soon? If it’s the former, put in whatever you like. If the latter, consider the resale impact:
Outdoor kitchens: Popular with homebuyers.
Patios and decks: Desirable.
Xeriscaping: Desirable — who wants to spend every Saturday pushing a mower?
Children or pet play areas: Can go either way, depending on the buyer.
Spas: Generally more desirable than pools, but it depends on the buyer.
Pools: Depends on the buyer. Although popular in hot regions, many homeowners in more temperate climates consider these features too much of a hassle to maintain, making them less likely to buy.
5. Coat Your Driveway
Here’s another temperature-dependent springtime project to tackle before it gets too hot. Temperatures above 95° Fahrenheit make it tough for the sealer to set, so get this chore out of the way early in the season.
Although many commercial sealers say you can drive on them after 24 hours, it’s best to wait for 48. Look for an alternate parking space and use cones and tape to prevent the unwary from stepping on wet tar.
Finish These Springtime Projects Before the First Storm
It’s natural to want to enjoy the first beautiful days of the year on a picnic in the park. However, you shouldn’t get too lazy. This season is also the best time for sprucing up the homestead before the outdoor season.
Completing these springtime projects before the first thunderstorm will give you the freedom to enjoy the coming summer with your to-do list managed. Beat the heat and tackle these chores, then kick back and admire the fruits of your labor as you enjoy fun in the sun.
Author: Rose Morrison
Photo by Omri D. Cohen on Unsplash
