There’s a positive energy in the air, the weather gets warmer here in Sunrise, Florida, and the days get much longer. It is Spring and time for rejuvenation and home maintenance.
The beginning of Daylight Saving Time is a great time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, so if you haven’t done that yet, here’s your reminder. It’s a good idea to do a basic checkup in some other key areas, too. After a long, wet winter, spring’s bright sun and warm breathes are an apparent wind of fresh air. The only problem? That sunshine is highlighting your bulging gutters, cracked sidewalks, dripping faucets, and dead plants from last year’s flower beds. Now that the rain and winter storms have passed, you can start to look for damage around the home and make any repairs needed, while prepping your home and garden for summer.
These tips, from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and others, can help. Call it “spring training” for homeowners.
Check for signs of rodents, roaches, termites, etc
Signs of rodents:
Droppings. Rodent droppings are a sure sign that rats or mice are present, and will indicate the type of rodent, the size of the infestation, and where they are most active. The location of the droppings means active areas where you should place bait or traps.
Urine Odor. Rodent urine has a strong musky odor. With large infestations, you can easily smell it.
Gnawed Holes. Gnawed mouse holes are small, clear-cut, and about the size of a dime. Gnawed rat holes are large, about the size of a quarter, with rough torn edges.
Rub and Gnaw Marks. The places where rodents travel along walls has signs of oily rub marks. If rub marks smear, you know they are fresh. Gnaw marks on wood around the house also are a sign. Tooth marks about one-eighth inch long are typical of rats, and small scratch marks are a sign of mice.
Runways. Common rodent pathways are generally along interior walls, building foundations, ledges, pipes, electrical wires, conduits, tree branches, and fence rails.
Nests. Mice will shred paper, string, and other pliable materials to build their nests indoors. Norway rats nest outdoors in burrows deep in the ground. Roof rats typically nest above ground in attics, trees, or dense vegetation.
Noises. Rodents are nocturnal. At night they often create scratching sounds as they run inside walls and along floors.
Pet Behavior. Pets tend to act unusual when they hear or smell rodents in the house. They may appear extremely alert, bark, or begin to paw at spaces beneath refrigerators, stoves, or low-clearance pieces of furniture.
Signs of roaches:
Seeing one
Unfortunately, cockroaches are not loners. If you see one, there are likely many more that you can’t see. Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures, so you’ll most likely spot them late at night, especially if you walk into your kitchen and turn on the light.
Cockroach droppings
Cockroach feces will be visible during an infestation. Small roaches produce wastes that resemble coffee grounds or black pepper, while larger ones expel cylindrical droppings. The quantity of visible feces is frequently a good indicator of the level or duration of infestation.
Finding roach egg cases
Each long, hollow, light brown egg casing left by a cockroach usually holds between 20-50 eggs; once the eggs hatch, the housing is just moved in place. If you find casings near leaky pipes, around the base of your refrigerator, or in food cabinets, you should immediately take steps to control the cockroach infestation before it grows out of hand.
Smelling roaches
Some species emit unpleasant smells. In the event of a severe infestation, a strong oily or musty odor may be present. And bodies of dead cockroaches can be found throughout the house.
Signs of termites:
Termite infestations can compromise the structural stability of a home, and cause thousands of dollars in damage, without anyone even knowing. It’s important to get a termite inspection done by a licensed pest professional every one to three years to keep the property safe from termites. However, there are also some red flags signaling the presence of termites that homeowners can keep an eye out for regularly. Here are the top five signs of termite infestation to look out for in your home.
Swarmers or discarded wings, mud tubes, wood damage, uneven or bubbling paint, and frass.
Clean gutters and downspouts
Check for loose, leaky, or clogged gutters. If your gutters are not draining correctly, this can lead water toward your foundation. Remember: downspouts should drain away from the foundation and should be clear of debris.
Trim tree branches and shrubs that are hanging too close to your home or utility wires, and remove dead trees.
If you didn’t trim trees or plants in the fall, it is time to do now. Plants can infiltrate cracks and holes in the wall of your home, causing damage and decreasing longevity. Pinch this by the root before it is a problem. If you have beautiful vines on the surface, pay close attention.
Examine your deck /balconies for loose boards or railings, as well as any rot.
These outdoor recreation areas must be inspected if they are sitting for a few months. Look for damaged wood, new rust on bolts and chains and other potential safety hazards. Usually, these are easy fixes that can prevent a terrible day! I still have flashbacks of childhood pain inflicted by a rusty swingset!
Check if the fences need repair.
The main point here is about Kids and dogs, they do not know their boundaries, and there are unstoppable when the weather gets nice and spend the day staying outside. So, now is the time to do those fence repairs if you are the lucky owner of a fenced yard.
Outdoor woodwork like wood decks, fences, railings, trellises, pergolas, and other outdoor structures will stay in better condition and last longer if they’re stained or re-sealed every few years. Don’t forget to always check for termites.
Ensure that mulch and soil aren’t in contact with your home’s siding.
Fill with compacted soil in low-lying areas in the yard or depressions next to the foundation. Heavy spring rains can cause yard flooding, which can lead to foundation flooding and structural damage. Additionally, when water collects in these low areas in summer, the moisture creates a breeding ground for insects.
Inspect the Concrete
Always inspect concrete slabs for any signs of cracks or movement. Other than near a backyard pool, all exterior chunks should drain away from a home’s foundation. Fill any cracks with a concrete crack filler and when weather permits, power-wash and seal the concrete.
Check for damage to your shingles, including mildew and algae; have a professional inspect and repair your roof, if necessary.
A close inspection of your roof will show any lost or damaged, cracked, loose shingles that need to be replaced to protect your roof.
Go into the attic to check for signs of roof leakage, such as visible moisture or discoloration.
Look for peeling paint. Remember, color is about more than appearance. A good paint job also protects against the effects of weather.
Take a close look all around your house, and make any repairs as needed. Also, be sure to check the foundation for any cracks. A suitable silicone/caulk can fix a lot of your problems.
Check for leaks around window and door sills. Properly sealed windows and doors can help prevent damage and lower your energy costs.
Also, be sure to check the window and door screens they are intended to let the breeze flow in and keep insects out – but this doesn’t do any good if they are full of holes and tears. Spring is a great time to repair screens around the exterior of the home.
Examine your walls/crawlspace for any signs of standing water or dripping. Take action immediately, if needed, to avoid mold.
Clean your dryer exhaust hose and vent. Lint build-up in this area is a common cause of fires, so do a thorough job by moving the dryer and disconnecting both ends of the hose.
These tasks will help keep you and your family safe, and they also can save you from costly repairs or homeowners insurance claims. So remember, when spring rolls around, there’s a lot more to do than cleaning and changing your clocks.
House chores may seem tedious but will be worth it in the long run.