Are you living in Ann Arbor, Michigan? It means you will experience the changing seasons throughout the year. From snowy winters to hot and humid summers, each comes with specific maintenance needs for homeowners. Staying ahead of the seasonal wear and tear will help you ensure safety and comfort in your home. Further, proper maintenance ensures long-term value for your home.
Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or prefer to leave the work to professionals, using a seasonal home maintenance checklist, hire a reliable local handyman to get the best solutions. They can make home upkeep more manageable. Here’s a breakdown of what Ann Arbor residents should keep in mind throughout the year.
Spring: Refresh and Repair
In the spring, the snow begins to melt, and the temperature starts to rise. It is the perfect time you need maintenance services for your home. You can look for the following things:
- Roof and Gutter Inspection:
- Ensure a close inspection of the gutters.
- Check if there are missing shingles, leaks, or damage caused by snow and ice.
- Clean out gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage during spring rains.
- Exterior Paint and Siding
- Look for peeling paint, mold, or cracks. If there is any call for a handyman.
- A handyman can fix these issues with a few touch-ups or pressure washings.
- Window and Door Seals:
- Check the weather stripping and caulking, and ensure there are no cracks or gaps. These can allow allergens and summer heat to enter indoors.
- If you find any alarming signs, call handyman services.
- Deck and Patio Maintenance:
- Power wash, inspect for rot, and reseal if needed.
- Loose boards or railings can be easily fixed by a handyman.
- HVAC System Prep:
- Before the summer hits, ensure the efficient functions of the HVAC system.
- If you find any sign of inefficiency in the HVAC system, call a handyman to resolve the issues.
Pro Tips
Spring is a busy time for any home services provider in Ann Arbor and the surrounding regions. Hence, schedule inspections and maintenance early to avoid delays.
Summer: Maintain and Improve
Summer is great for enjoying outdoor activities. However, it is also the crucial time to take care of home improvement projects while the weather is favorable.
Key Tasks:
- Lawn and Landscaping: Make sure that your lawn is being taken care of, regularly trim your lawn, keep your lawn watered, and mowed. Decisions on what to repair, such as irrigation problems or dirt edges of the garden bed, may be left to a handyman.
- Fence and Gate Repair: Make sure there is no post leaning over, latch broken, or rust. Even the fixing of new fencing can be done by a handyman.
- Painting Projects: When it is warm and dry, it is time to paint those exteriors and fences, as well as decks.
- Pest Control Checks: Check for ants, wasps, and termites. Close up tiny accesses through roof, siding, and windows.
- Organization of the Garage and Shed: Empty it out and fit out with shelving or pegboards to avail as much space and visibility as possible.
Handyman Tip: Utilize the long summer days to complete outdoor projects. These would be too difficult or unsafe in colder months.
Fall: Prepare for the Cold
With the cold weather and the falling leaves, planning your home winterization should be getting underway. Winter in Ann Arbor may be cruel, so it is important to prepare.
Key Tasks:
Gutter Cleaning: Gutters can be filled with falling leaves within a very short period. Clean them up so that there will be no ice dams afterwards.
Furnace. The time to have your heating system checked and serviced is before the cold hits.
Window Insulation: To reduce heat, add insulating films or use storm windows. Put in new weather stripping.
Fire inspection, chimney inspection: Whether you have an open fire and chimney or you simply use a fireplace, arrange to have your chimney swept and your fire equipment checked.
Outdoor Water Shot-Off: Prevent frozen pipes and drain garden hoses, and close exterior faucets.
Handyman Tip: Add in some handyman advice, handymen can install insulation, seal cracks in your home, and even check your attic ventilation to make sure it is winter warm and efficient.
Winter: Safety and Upkeep
The winters in Ann Arboor come with freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall. At this time, your home requires precision and care from a knowledgeable handyman.
Key Tasks:
Snow and Ice Removal: One must be careful to ensure that walks, driveways, and steps are cleared to avoid falls and slips. It is worth the expense of hiring snow removal services or a handyman to clear it regularly.
Attic and Basement Inspections: Check for condensation, mould, or drafts. Insulation should be added when necessary.
Inside Jobs: Utilize your indoor time to paint, work with tiles, or do some small improvements on the kitchen and bath.
Check for Ice Dams: Keep an eye on your roof and see whether there is ice on it or not, as that ice could cause a leak. It is safe to call in a handyman to remove the ice or put in heat cables in case you need to.
Emergency Kit Update: Flashlights, batteries, blankets, and supplies in the event of a power outage should be kept on hand.
Handyman Tip: You should prefer scheduling only indoor handyman work in the winter. Major works like repairs, installations, or renovations should be left for the summer.
Why Hire a Handyman in Ann Arbor?
Ann Arbor homeowners are lucky to have a tried and proven handyman on speed dial, as the weather is constantly changing and different seasons require different things. Here’s why:
Time Efficient: A handyman would save you the hassle of dealing with numerous contractors by being able to do many jobs on each trip.
Experience: A qualified handyman is well-versed with local building regulations, weather conditions, as well as any problems that might be encountered by homes in Ann Arbor.
Cost-effective: Prevention of bigger, more costly problems in the future by carrying out routine maintenance.
Mind at Rest: You have the assurance that your house is in the right hands since it will be visited at the right intervals to be checked on whether everything is okay.
In an older house by Kerrytown or a newer model on the edge of town, a handyman service can offer seasonal updates to your house according to its needs.
Final Thoughts
Seasonal maintenance in Ann Arbor is also a requirement when owning a home here, and this does not mean that you are advised to take up the roles alone. With a sound checklist and a reliable handyman company, you will always be in control of all seasons without going crazy.
It is better to be ahead than to be behind something breaking or failing. Make some time every season to evaluate your home and address minor problems before they can expand. It is the magic of comfort, safety, and economy of the future.
Want some assistance on your seasonal maintenance checklist? Call us at American Handi Services, the most reliable local handyman in Ann Arbor, now and get your home in shape–season after season.
FAQs
- Why do I need seasonal home maintenance on my Ann Arbor property?
Ann Arbor experiences all four seasons, including snowy winters and humid summers. These seasons may cause wear and tear to your property. Therefore, it is crucial to get seasonal maintenance to prevent long-term damage. Proper maintenance is also crucial to get energy efficiency and the safety, and comfort of your living space.
- Can you suggest a few seasonal tasks to complete before winter in Ann Arbor?
We recommend:
- Clean and inspect gutters to prevent ice dams
- Service your furnace or heating system
- Seal windows and doors for drafts
- Drain exterior faucets and irrigation systems
- Inspect the roof for damage or leaks
These services can help you protect your home from freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall.
- Can I hire your services for both interior and exterior maintenance?
We are your trusted local handyman services, offering both interior and exterior maintenance. The common services we provide include:
- Gutter cleaning
- Sealing windows
- Deck repairs
- HVAC filter replacements
- Light plumbing
- Electrical fixes
- Snow removal
- How often should I call handyman services for maintenance tasks?
We advise choosing handyman services at least four times a year for routine maintenance tasks on your property. It will enable pinpointing any issue and fixing it promptly.
- What should I opt for in the spring home maintenance checklist?
When spring comes, you can include the following in your maintenance checklist:
- Roof and gutter inspections
- Power washing siding, driveways, and decks
- Lawn and garden cleanup
- Window and door seal checks
- HVAC inspection before summer
We can help you with these tasks and suggest repairs if required.
