Spring is time for more than just cleaning

• Advocate staff report
• Published: Mar 6, 2008

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Homes are somewhat like people. They need proper care and maintenance to make sure they are running properly.

Here is a guide of simple things to keep your home in tip-top shape, with suggestions from HGTV.com and Brian Wedding, owner of Jasper Contractors:

Inspect brickwork and stucco
Look for chipping on the face of brick and any deteriorated mortar. If your brick has white deposits called efflorescence, use a dry brush to remove it. If there is water penetration in the brick, use a brick sealant.

Replace or repaint old siding or trim
This is usually a job for more than one weekend. Experts recommend painting the whole thing one section at a time for consistency.

Clean gutters and downspouts
Gutters that don’t drain properly can create headaches on the ground and on the roof.

“That’s a common problem,” Wedding said.

They should direct water away from the house. Make sure they are flush to the roof with no sags or dips.

Inspect your roof
Replace shingles that curl up or turn down and claw. Experts recommend calling a minimum of three roofers before committing to one for repairs.

Get a chimney check-up
A professional sweeper can inspect your chimney and check the flue and cap for cracks or leaking.

One thing to consider is their relationship to the roof. Wedding suggested making sure the flashing is tight to avoid leaks.

He added: “Chimneys need a cricket built behind them.”

A cricket, or saddle, is designed to direct water away from the chimney and is usually capped with a large piece of sheet metal flashing.

Check out the attic
Check for proper ventilation and birds’ nests. Look for obstructions over vents, damaged soffit panels, roof flashing leaks and wet spots on insulation. Wear long sleeves and gloves to protect yourself from insulation.