With the month of March comes spring, and there are a plenty of property maintenance items for your inspection checklist. Winter can often be hard on a home, especially if the property is in an area where there is lots of ice and inclement weather. It can be difficult to remember all of the things you need to check to be sure that the property is safe and ready for the heat and rain is sure to come. Here are a few things you can add to the lists on your property inspection app before you begin your rounds.

Areas to Inspect

There are plenty of areas of the home that need to be inspected, both outside and inside. Some of these include:

Fireplace- If the home has a fireplace, then it has probably been used over the winter, which means that soot may have built up in the chimney. This can turn into creosote, which is very flammable, and if not cleaned can be a very serious hazard. If you inspect the fireplace and chimney each spring, you can be sure that it is always clean and ready for next winter.

Roof- The roof protects the home from many things, most notable, rain. Doing a visual inspection of the roof can help you prevent leaks, which can cause very costly damage on the inside of the home. You should also inspect the gutters, because if they are blocked or damage, rain won’t drain properly.
Windows– Spring inspections are a great time to look at all of the windows in the home. Screens may have been damaged, or the windows may not seal properly. This can be costly for utilities.
Weather stripping.– If the doors on your home have weather stripping, be sure to check it out each spring to help keep the weather out and the home temperature stable
Standing water- spring brings rain, and that can cause standing water under the home. Check the crawl space to be sure water isn’t accumulating. If the home has a sump pump, this should be tested too.
HVAC- It’s about time for the air conditioner to be used daily to keep the home cool. Before it needs to be turned on, have a HVAC specialist come and inspect the unit. It can also be cleaned at the same time. Meanwhile, you should check the vents in the home to be sure none are obstructed.
Washer/Dryer– the hoses connected to these appliances should be checked. If the washer hose is leaking or warped, it should be replaced. The dryer should be checked for lint build up, and for any obstructions in the vent.

Of course, there are plenty of other places that can be added to your inspection list, but these are a few to get you started. There are many resources available to find more inspection ideas for your properties, and make sure that the homes you manage are clean, safe, and ready for the coming seasons.