By Meghan Streit
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
Winter is finally loosening its grip on Chicagoland. It’s time to open the windows and let spring inside.
Spring is also the perfect season to refresh, renew, and reorganize our lives— and our houses. As you tackle spring cleaning projects, don’t neglect the outside of your house, which needs just as much care and maintenance as the inside.
“Winter really does take a toll,” says preventative maintenance expert Hector Seda. “Water gets into things and freezes, and then it melts.”
Seda has 25 years of experience in homebuilding and commercial construction, and has published syndicated columns and books on the subject of home maintenance. He says undoing the damage of winter with a thorough spring checkup is critical to keeping your house in good shape.
Spring cleaning checklist
Each house comes with its own unique maintenance needs, but Seda says all homeowners should add the following projects to spring cleaning lists:
• Check for cracks in the foundation: If water from snow and ice has seeped into the foundation, it can cause big problems down the road. “It’s important to check, or it’s just going to get worse and worse,” Seda warns of this common problem.
• Replace mortar and check chimney: Brick is a durable material, but it doesn’t last forever. That’s why Seda suggests inspecting the mortar on all brickwork annually, and replacing it as necessary. If your house has a fireplace, you should also take a look at the chimney. Depending on the wear and tear, you may need to hire a mason to repair it for next winter.
• Look at windows and doors: If caulk around windows and doors has started to dry up, Seda says to rip it up and refill with fresh caulk. He warns that old caulking can cause wood to rot if left too long. While you’re at it, spring is also the right time to wash windows and repaint the outer sills.