Winter has waned and Spring is almost here, which means it’s the perfect time to take care of annual home maintenance and give your home a complete inspection from top to bottom and inside and out. Naples, Florida-based FCI painting has been helping homeowners keep their homes in top condition for two decades and knows what elements of the home need regular maintenance and annual inspection, so consider these tips while considering your home’s springtime to-dos as rainy weather and hurricane season are just around the corner.

The Roof

From the inside, check the entire attic area for any signs of mold, which might be obvious, but could also be more subtle and only distinguished by light stain-like blotches on the ceiling and walls. While in the attic also check any insulation, make sure all vents are clear, and keep an eye out for any signs of insect or animal habitation.

You can use binoculars for a detailed inspection of your roof, which should seek out any signs of trouble. Generally indicated by loose, mis-angled, cracked or missing shingles/roof tiling. Also look out for mold and algae growth, which is not only unsightly, but can slowly damage the underlying roofing materials. If you see any damage, or are concerned about algae and mold growth, FCI painting can fix minor damages with a roof maintenance coating designed for the southwest Florida climate, and offers a minimally invasive, eco-friendly soft washing system that treats and removes the build up of mold and mildew, as well as dirt, dust, grime and other contaminants.

Gutter Maintenance and Cleaning

Your home’s gutter system should be cleaned and inspected every year to ensure that it keeps rainwater flowing away from your home. If left unchecked, clogged gutters can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home by allowing water to enter the foundation or to seep below the roofline.

Exterior Walls and Trim

No matter what the material of your exterior walls, check them all for any signs of trouble. Whether in the paint or on the surfaces themselves, openings or cracks, chips or peeling can allow intrusion by damaging water or pests. Consider touch-up painting to protect any exposed surfaces, and follow up with Pressure wash cleaning, one of the easiest and cost-effective means of giving your home a completely renewed look.

Check Windows and Doors

Check all caulking and weather stripping around all doors and windows and replace and repair as needed to maintain climate control efficiency and prevent water intrusion. Also check all your screens for holes and tears, and repair or replace as needed to keep the bugs out. If dirty, screens can be cleaned with a mild detergent and gentle spray from the hose, and then air dried on the driveway or other surface. Never power wash screens as the pressure can damage the mesh.

Foundation

Examine your home’s entire foundation for any masonry cracks, which should be sealed with a two-part epoxy injection system that bonds chemically and is much more efficient than routine caulking.

Basement

Check first for dampness, which indicates higher than normal relative humidity and suggests possible water ingress, inadequate ventilation, and perhaps the need for a dehumidifier. Look for cracks in concrete walls or masonry, which might be allowing water in. Inspect all exposed wood for signs of insects and wood boring. If you see the latter, call your pest control company immediately.

Or Let FCI Painting Tackle Your Home’s Spring Maintenance To-Dos

As a fully licensed and insured contractor with more than 20 years of residential painting and home maintenance experience, FCI Painting has successfully helped thousands of Naples and surrounding southwest Florida residents inspect and maintain their homes with services covering the roof to the basement. We provide detailed attention to all of our home inspection and maintenance projects, whether inside or out. To learn more about how FCI Painting can help you maintain your home this spring, contact us today, or give us a call at (239) 435-1001.