Handyman News
... There's More to Spring Than Cleaning
March, 2007
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Greetings!

The birds are chirping ... to tell us it’s time to get outside for some fresh air. Along with exciting gardening projects, don’t forget that routine maintenance now will save you from more costly repairs in the future. Here’s a checklist to help you identify your project list.

Decide how much time you want to devote to these maintenance and repair activities.Use My Handyman and specialty contractors like Black Dawg Sealcoat, for some projects. You'll enjoy your home more, and it's cost effective when you add up the value of your time and the cost of new tools. Your time is a precious commodity, so spend wisely and have a great spring!

Tina Gleisner, Your Handy Woman

Many outside tasks require working from a ladder. Only if you have a safe ladder and are comfortable, should you tackle these chores yourself.
  • Roof - inspect using a ladder and repair or replace damaged or missing shingles
  • Chimney & Vent Pipes – inspect these and repair or replace flashing or caulking; new water stains in your attice will signal water seepage
  • Gutters - clean and make any adjustments or repairs to insure water is carried away from your foundation; if your gutters fill up quickly, consider using a product like Gutter Stuff
  • Siding – caulk gaps between siding and trim to keep water out; repair or replace siding with water damage. My Handyman has repaired siding problems ignored for too long, resulting in serious damage to underlying structural wood. The most frequent causes:
    • Infestations of carpenter ants which explore until they find, high humidity environments with ample food, i.e. wood siding and/or hidden support structure
    • Masonite siding which disintegrates easily once it gets wet, and is found in homes as new as 5 years to roughly 20 years old
  • Wood trim - inspect and repair or replace damaged pieces of wood trim. Common My Handyman projects involve areas with high exposure to water that should be painted every year - we recommend replacing the wood with a composite like Azek that doesn’t rot:
    • Window sills – tend to hold silt, which in turn holds water that causes damage that is easy to repair when first observed but after many years, may require new windows
    • Kick plates under doors – water hits steps or decks and bounces back up saturating this vertical strip of wood under doors; unless painted every year, the wood will rot
  • Windows and doors – caulk around windows and doors to keep water out; inspect to make sure they're operational and glass clear and secure
  • Paint – check for peeling paint; often one side of the house needs to be painted more frequently due to more direct sunlight or higher humidity when foliage blocks the sun.
Technician repairing deck
Some projects might be a little easier when you're standing on the ground. More complicated tasks that use compressors, compound mitre saws, and such, might be better left to My Handyman.
  • Screen Doors/Windows - put away storm doors/windows; install screen doors/windows after making needed repairs
  • Power Wash – house (vinyl siding unless you’re going to paint) and decks; paint or stain decks and railing systems for weather protection
  • Decks - review deck, stairs and other outside rails to make sure they're secure, address nail pops and replace rotted boards. We've gotten great feedback from customers that we installed Procell Decking Systems for last year. We originally recommended this material, with no wood content, for decks near pools.
  • Drainage – make sure downspouts drain away from the house; check perimeter to nake sure water isn't settling or running down into the foundation. For the complete checklist, click here.
  • Foundation – look for evidence of cracks or settling and make appropriate repairs
  • Check Operability - exterior lights, garage door, gates, mailboxes and repair as needed
  • Open Water Valves – turn on outside water faucets, check for leaks and repair as needed; check any irrigation systems
  • Clean – windows, outdoor furniture, garbage cans and debris where vents/downspouts end
  • Yard – inspect hose bibs, pipes and shut-off valves; repair any damage from the winter
  • Landscaping – it's time for raking, mulching, pruning and preparing/planting this years garden. For more about Getting your garden ready for spring
While you want to get outside, there are numerous small tasks that need to be dealt with inside.

  • Air Conditioners - we install window A/Cs for many customers; we've also done "in the wall" A/C installs to eliminate this twice a year chore.
  • Attic - check for water/moisture damage; insulation works best in "like new" condition
  • Windows/Doors – check for gaps in interior trim and caulk as needed
  • Stair Railings – make sure railings are secure and repair as needed
  • Cabinets and Doors – make sure they close and latch correctly, with no squeaks.
  • Walls/Ceilings – repair any nail pops but only if you’re planning to paint these areas
  • Heating Systems – clean baseboard heaters, schedule yearly check-ups for furnace and other systems, change furnace and A/C air filters. Don’t forget to empty all fuel from specialized heating systems, clean and if portable (space heaters), store in a safe place
  • Hot Water Heater – flush a few gallons of water out of the system to remove minerals
  • Humidifiers – clean the furnace humidifier and any room humidifiers
  • Dryer Vent – clean out to prevent build up of lint which is a fire hazard
  • Kitchen – clean refrigerator condenser coils/back panel; clean stove exhaust hood
  • Caulk - tubs, showers and sinks (bath and kitchen)
  • Plumbing Check-Up – repair or replace any dripping faucets or slow leaks which waste water and may cause more serious damage
  • Electrical Check-Up – change batteries in smoke/CO2 detectors, light bulbs, check wall outlets, fans/lights and appliances and repair/replace any frayed cords

Tina Gleisner, President
My Handyman of Southern NH

phone: Bedford 472-2247, Derry 432-5906, Exeter 773-5904 or Portsmouth 433-5905
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