The end of winter weather is finally in sight. That means it’s time to take care of the first outdoor projects of the season!
Take advantage of warmer days to cross some important home maintenance projects off your list—so once warm weather is here you can hang up your tool belt and kick back and enjoy the sun.
1. Clean Your Home’s Siding
Has winter snow and slush left your house looking a little grimy? Not only does dirty siding make your house look messy and uncared for, dirt can actually damage your siding—so this is a project you want to attend to sooner rather than later. All you need is a pressure washer and gentle cleaner (in most cases, water and vinegar will get the job done), a ladder, and elbow grease to get your siding sparkling again. Check the user manual of your pressure washer to select the right setting for your siding, then, holding the wand at a 45-degree angle, spray small sections at a time until you’ve made your way around the house. Be careful not to spray at an upward angle, which could force water behind the siding, and take extra care when working around doorways, windows and exterior pipes.
2. Clean Outdoor Decks and Patios
It’s almost time to start enjoying outdoor spaces—which means now is the time for a good spring cleaning of wooden decks and concrete patios. A pressure washer is the right tool for this project, too. Start by sweeping away accumulated leaves and dirt, then spray the surface with a pressure washer to clean. Inspect wooden patios carefully for loose or rotted boards and replace as needed. Concrete patios should be re-sealed every 2-3 years.
If you have a paver patio, you should never use a pressure washer because it could displace the sand that holds each paver in place. Instead, clean pavers with a mild detergent and rinse with a hose.
3. Clean the Gutters
Even if you cleaned the gutters before winter, it’s a good idea to clear them of twigs, pine needles, and other debris to make sure water from spring showers is directed away from your home. Our Gutter Scoop has a unique scoop and drain feature that makes the job easier—and keeps water from dripping all over you. Once the gutters are clean, you may want to install one of our easy-to-use gutter guard products to keep gutters from clogging again.
4. Check the Roof
While you’re up on the ladder cleaning the gutters, take a peek at the roof. Do you see any branches or debris laying on the roof surface? Are any shingles or flashing loose or damaged? If you notice any problems, get them repaired as soon as possible—roof damage can lead to water leaks… which can lead to serious (and expensive) repairs.
5. Remove Window Film
If you installed Window Kits to block drafts from coming in through your windows, now’s the time to remove them. If you prepped properly before installing the film, this is a simple job: Just peel away the tape and remove the film. Watch this video to see just how easy our Window Kits are to remove, and get some smart tips and tricks for removing any sticky residue that’s left behind on window trim. (And remember, you can reuse our window film! Just fold it neatly and store it in a cool, dry place until next winter.)
6. Check Doors and Windows
Cold, wet weather can damage the caulk and weatherseal around windows and doors. Inspect every door and window carefully for cracks or gaps around the frame and fill them with a high-quality caulk, like our Fingertip Rope Caulk, which won’t harden, crack, chip, or peel. It’s very easy to use: just pull off what you need and push it into the cracks. If you’ve never used caulk before, check out this video for simple, step-by-step directions:
Caulk is used to seal gaps where nothing moves, like around window and door frames. For the actual openings, you need to use a compressible weatherstripping product that springs back into place when the door or window is closed. Frost King makes a range of weather seal materials—some are nail on, and some are adhesive-backed self-stick tapes. If you need to replace weatherstripping but are confused about what product to use, watch this video to help you choose the right product:
