Inspect Your Home's Exterior

Take It And Run: Ilyce's Corner
By Ilyce Glink for Right at Home Daily

Now that spring is in the air, it's time to see how the exterior of your home weathered the winter.

Start by walking around the outside of your home. Is the ground sloping away from the house? This will help water flow away from your home, instead of leaking down the foundation and into your basement.

What is the condition of the gutters? Cleaning the gutters of debris should be done at least once a year. If you live in a heavily wooded area, consider having the gutters cleaned twice a year.

Check the condition of your siding. Does the brick need tuck-pointing? Will the paint job last another year or should it be touched up now? Are there pieces of siding that need to be nailed back into place? Do you need to caulk window joints?

Last, check the roof for damaged or missing tiles. By doing some preventive maintenance, you'll be able to keep major repair bills to a minimum.

Have questions about your home? Visit our Roofing forum for all the answers.