The Guide to a sample Spring Check List that YOU may use.-------------------------------Spring Check List ------------------------------- (This is an old list of 1998. It will definitely be revised. But it is still very applicable and bring your attention to items you may pass over.) Therefore, here is the “SPRING CHECK LIST”. You may print and use this list.
----------------------------------- 1 - Spring Check List for checking things around the Home. Walking around the Home in the spring, you may observe what has happened to the property during the winter. Examine and note. Observation: At the front balcony, any chipping of concrete, stone or brick? Is the railing still properly anchored? Is the door sill and frame still intact? Thing to do: Take note and have repair in warmer weather. Observation: Any crack or heaving of sidewalks or floor slab or concrete staircase? Any scaling of the stucco finish on the foundations. Take note and have repaired in summer.
Observation: Any heaving or toppling of the retaining walls of the decent to the basement garage? Thing to do: See the Retaining Walls section of this site for what and how to repair and protect to avoid future deterioration. Do it in summer.
Observation: Have the grates/drains in front of the garage door heaved during the winter? Are they full of grit and sand? Thing to do: See the section on heaving and depressed areas on this site. Observation: Has the middle of the garage door sill heaved by freezing? What to do: See the same section about winter heaving, the causes and protection.
Observation: Is the driveway still intact? Is there breakage of asphalt/concrete/cobblestones? Is it depressed or bumpy? Thing to do: The ground needs to be warm and have settled from winter freezing before repairs.
Observation: Is there any water puddles on the driveway, sidewalks and pathways? Thing to do: Take care in warmer weather and in the meantime see the section on protection from water.
Observation: Check where the water lies on the ground and against the foundation. Where it is the soggiest. Thing to do: Add topsoil or sod at the lowest points to fill-up the depressed areas.
Observation: Has the soil depressed along the foundation or under the downspouts from the eves? Thing to do: See this site section about the importance of keeping the runoffs away from foundations.
Observation: Any new cracks in the foundation? Observe if there is a cutting edge to the crack if felt and gently touched? Is the inside of the crack clean/unsoiled concrete which would indicate a new crack developing during this past winter? Thing to do: See this site section on cracks and their causes and repairs.
Observation: Any basement window damage? Any deterioration of the window wells? Thing to do: Repair the frames and mainly raise the soil around the window wells.
Observation: Are the posts and fences still vertical and the gates still functional? Thing to do: Take note and repair in warmer weather.
Observation: Some post or fences may have to be replaced. Does the fence need stain or a metal primer/rust proffer and a protective coat of epoxy or special latex paint? Thing to do: Refresh in warmer weather. ----------------------------------- 2- Spring Check List for the walls. What is the condition of the walls after the winter? Observation: Any loosening of wall material? Thing to do: Have repair when the walls are warm.
Observation: Any new or unrepaired crack that has developed further during the winter? Thing to do: Check on this site section about cracks, causes and repairs.
Observation: Has the stucco/mortar on the foundation scaled off the concrete foundation? Thing to do: Have it repaired in warmer weather and see this site section about cracks stucco and how to repair the stucco, What to do and what to avoid.
Observation: Has the protective stucco scaled off only where it touches the ground? What to do: See the section about keeping water away from foundations.
Observation: Is there whitening of the wall by efflorescence on any part of the wall or mainly under the windowsills? Use CLR products (Calcium, Lime and Rust removal product) or vinegar, (that has a PH of 3) to remove the calcium or lime. See: the Walls section.
Observation: Windows, frames and windowsills may have to be repaired painted and be cleaned. Thing to do: Do it in spring on the first warm day.
Observation: Caulking around the windows has split opened or dried. Thing to do: Remove the chipped caulking and replace.
Observation: Is the garage doors still closing properly with no undue effort on the mechanics? Are the seals intact? Thing to do: Standing in the dark of the garage, observe if there is any light ray appearing at the edges. Check mainly the bottom seal of the door and the thigh closing at the top. The door may have to be adjusted. Change the bottom seal every 3 to 5 years.
-------------------------------- 3 - Spring Check List for the Roofs. Anything has happened to the roof?
Observation: Any shingle missing on the roof?Any facia or soffit loose or missing? Thing to do: If a section of roof is missing, call the roofer for immediate repairs. If only one or two shingles are missing. What to do: Repair when it is warmer. The shingles are more flexible in warm weather. --------------- 4 - What should be added to the Spring Check List? E-mails us or telephone us.
Other Observations:...............................
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