In winter, many materials and elements on the house are subjected to heavy stress. Cold, moisture, snow, and ice can take their toll on the building and leave their mark. Find out here what you should check in the spring and contribute to the preservation of your property's value with maintenance work.
Check roof and gutters
Because the roof contributes to the weather protection of the entire property, a thorough check should be a matter of course. Check whether roof tiles have been damaged and whether moisture could potentially have penetrated the attic. In addition to the vapor barrier of the roofing, typical weak points include the antenna passage, ventilation openings, and the connections at the chimney.
Also, remove all dirt from the gutters so that rainwater can drain off unhindered.
Facade, windows, and doors
While the roof protects from above, the facade, including the windows and doors, forms the lateral barrier against the weather. Cracks, which can be caused by frost and temperature fluctuations, among other things, are a danger for mold growth and energy losses. If cracks in the building envelope go unnoticed, penetrating moisture can lead to expensive structural damage.
Windows and doors also need to be checked. Adjusting fittings and hinges as well as replacing porous seals ensures that the components close tightly and retain their stability for as long as possible.
Also take a critical look at the connection joint between the window and the external window sill. For wooden windows or plastic models, a sealant is used that does not last forever. If moisture penetrates the gaps, moisture damage is possible.
Repair mailbox
Accessories on the house as well as in the Garden also need to be checked after the winter months. A typical maintenance task is, for example, replacing the mailbox lock. These locks are less resilient than door locks and are often directly exposed to the weather.
So that the mailbox does not have to be completely replaced, the lock should be replaced with a new one at the first signs of wear. Which tools and accessories are required for this depends on the manufacturer. The specialist manufacturer Frabox from Germany explains in a guide how homeowners can replace a mailbox lock and what they need for it. "For the installation, you need screws and nuts (M5), a fixing screw (SW10), two socket wrenches (size eight and size 10), a size three Allen key, and pliers," it says, using the example of a mail and parcel box.
Maintain lighting
If the outdoor lighting no longer works as desired, motion detectors and bulbs could be defective. But trees and shrubs can also hinder the illumination of the garden as they grow. If, for example, motion detectors react excessively without people entering the corresponding area, a hanging branch could be to blame for the supposed malfunction.
Also, clean lampshades so that the light produced by the bulbs can illuminate your garden unhindered. Over the winter, rain and dirt can heavily soil outdoor lamps and reduce their luminosity.
Clean walkways
Whether exposed concrete or natural stone: walkway and patio slabs show signs of dirt over time and not only look unsightly as a result. They can also become slippery and pose a danger. Spring is an excellent time for a basic cleaning of the surfaces. Lichens, in particular, are stubborn and require biodegradable special cleaners to remove.
Attention: High-pressure cleaners are not suitable for all slabs. Many materials suffer under the enormous pressure and subsequently get dirty even faster.
Watch out for water pipes!
Outdoor water taps are susceptible to frost damage if the water supply is not shut off in time. If the water in the pipes freezes, burst pipes can be the result. Specialist companies for water and frost damage to buildings repair these professionally and prevent further consequential damage from occurring next winter.
A must: the heating check
After the heating season, heating installers have more time for maintenance work again. A good time to have the heating checked by experts and serviced if necessary. Homeowners should budget around 150 to 200 euros for heating maintenance. Money that is very well invested because regular maintenance not only increases safety for the residents but also provides valuable insights in terms of energy consumption.
Good to know: "Tenants should fulfill their obligation for annual maintenance, as the costs of any repairs are borne by the landlords," explains Die Umweltberatung in an article on the heating check.". "If this obligation is not met, landlords can pass the repair costs on to the tenants."
