Spring is finally making its way to Michigan. The fresh breezes, new growth, and even the vibrant rain showers have us all thinking about the coming warm months.

The flip side is that will all that warm weather and sunshine your home’s flaws will be exposed. All of your over-stuffed gutters, cracked cement, and barren garden will be out there for the whole neighborhood to see.

Luckily, you can knock out most of those sore spots in your Ann Arbor home with this quick and easy Spring checklist:

1. Gutters- Make sure gutters are free of debris, fastened tight to your roof, and are not leaky. Improper drainage can lead to a flooded basement and extensive water damage.
2. Check the parts of your yard where there is low elevation. You can tell these spots because this is wear water will accumulate when it rains. These areas could be filled with compacted soil. These areas can cause yard flooding during heavy Spring rains, and can cause water damage to your home, flood your basement, or even damage your home’s foundation.
3. Check your wood trim around doors, railings, windows, etc. and make necessary repairs. Do it now before the rain does more damage to exposed wood.
4. Check your roof shingles to see if you have sustained damage during winter. If the roof is showing signs of damage, it might be toward the end of its life. Start budgeting for a replacement roof.
5. If you have a chimney, check it for signs of damage. If there is a large amount of soot collected on the chimney tunnel, call a certified chimney sweeper.
6. Check your concrete for cracks, sinkage, or movement. All slabs need to slant away from the homes foundation. Fill cracks with appropriate caulk or filler.
7. Remove firewood stored too close the home. Firewood needs to be 18 inches from the ground at least 2 feet from your home.
8. Check outside hose faucets for ice/freeze damage. Turn the water on and place your thumb or finger over the opening. If you can stop the flow of water, it is likely the pipe inside the home is damaged and will need to be replaced. While you’re at it, check the garden hose for dry rot.
9. Hire an HVAC professional to clean and service your air conditioning unit. Not only will increase the lifespan of your air conditioning system, but the clean coils will operate more efficiently as well.
10. Check your lawn equipment to make sure it is ready for summer use. Clean your equipment and sharpen blades.

Follow these simple tips for your home in Ann Arbor Michigan and you will be well on your way to relaxing with a lemonade in the summer sun.