The winter months in Illinois can be a bit brutal on your home. With winter comes snow, ice, winds, and cold temperatures that can damage the exterior of your home. Now that it’s spring, you’ll be able to assess your house and determine if anything needs to be addressed. Checking your home every spring can help you avoid major renovations and repairs down the line by catching problems early and fixing them before winter weather returns.

Check Your Gutters

One easy thing to address after winter is your gutters. In the fall and winter, they can fill up with leaves and granules from your shingles. If left unattended, backed-up gutters can become damaged, especially in the winter. If water cannot drain, it may freeze and pull from your home. You can either clean your gutters yourself or hire a professional every year. Consider adding some gutter screens to further protect your gutters. Clean, functional gutters are a major plus for home value, so make sure to stay on top of them.

Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

Extreme weather can cause paint to chip away, exposing the wood or metal underneath to moisture. Check your shutters, doors, mailbox post, shed, and fences for any signs of wear on the paint. If anything looks like it may have been impacted by the winter weather, take a weekend to apply a new coat of paint. This protects these parts of your home from damage and helps them last longer.

Resurface Your Driveway

Winter weather causes cracks in your driveway and walkways to expand. Those cracks will only get worse each fall and winter, which is why it is recommended to seal your driveway every two years. Sealing your driveway will repair the cracks and cover things like oil stains that may have appeared over the last year or so. A fresh driveway will go a long way with curb appeal, which is important, especially if you intend to sell your house within the next year or so.

Repair Any Damaged Siding

High winds or hail storms are typically the culprits of damaged siding. Do a lap around your house and look for any siding that may be damaged or detached. Depending on the issue, you can either fix the siding yourself or hire a professional. It’s vital to keep your siding in good condition for curb appeal and to ensure your home is protected from the elements.

Take Care of Your Lawn

The harsh winter weather doesn’t just take a toll on your home, it also affects your yard. When the spring weather finally rolls around, try to put some fertilizer on your lawn to help it revive from winter. This will help your grass grow green and healthy all summer long and will make your home look great.

Taking care to do these 5 things every spring to fix up your home from winter will help you avoid any major problems down the line. Not only that, these items will ensure your home always has maximum curb appeal, which is vital if you ever plan to sell. For more tips on curb appeal and keeping your home value, make sure to reach out!