Repair and Maintenance

One way to determine whether your house needs repairs is to perform an annual maintenance check of key areas. Some homeowners do this in the early spring or fall. Among the items to check personally or hire a professional to review are:

• mechanical systems (heating, air conditioning, plumbing),
• major structural elements (roofing, gutters, downspouts),
• exterior siding,
• cement - sidewalks and steps,
• wood or other materials,
• the flashing around doors, windows, chimney, and roof,
• doors and windows to ensure they are properly caulked,
• and doors and stairs to ensure they are secure.

By spending a few hours once or twice a year, you can identify minor problems before they turn into major repair projects. Minor repairs are easier and less expensive to fix.