What Maintenance Should You Do for Your Home’s Exterior in Spring?
Spring home maintenance in southeast Wisconsin should include cleaning gutters, inspecting your roof and siding for winter damage, checking windows and vents, tuning up your HVAC system, and evaluating basement moisture risks. Taking care of these items early helps prevent water damage, improve energy efficiency, and extend the life of your home’s exterior systems.
These are our top 10 tips for Milwaukee-area homeowners to help ensure that their home is in its best shape.
1. Clean Gutters & Downspouts
Clogged gutters can cause water to back up under shingles or spill over onto siding and foundations, causing major moisture problems in your basement. If your gutter system is outdated or damaged, consider upgrading to a professionally installed gutter system to prevent future water intrusion. Hate cleaning gutters? You’ll love the low-maintenance of a gutter-guard system!
- Remove leaves and debris from gutters
- Ensure downspouts direct water away from your home
- Check for sagging, loose or damaged sections
2. Inspect Siding for Damage
Winter weather can crack, loosen, or warp your home’s siding. Damaged siding can reduce energy efficiency and allow water behind the exterior walls.
- Look for cracks, gaps, or loose boards
- Clean mold, mildew, and debris
- Watch for signs of trapped moisture
- Contact us with any concerns
3. Check Roof for Missing, Damaged or Deteriorating Shingles
Your home’s roof absorbs the brunt of Wisconsin winters.
- Look for missing, curled, or cracked shingles
- Look for granules around the home’s perimeter and downspouts: this is a sign of an aging asphalt roof
- Inspect for visible sagging
- If you suspect damage, schedule a professional roof inspection asap – you’ll want to avoid damage from spring and summer storms.
4. Special Note for Cedar Roofs
If you have a natural cedar shake roof, do NOT power wash it. Power washing strips protective layers from cedar shingles, making them thinner and more likely to crack, cup, and curl prematurely. Proper cedar maintenance extends roof lifespan significantly.
5. Clean Windows and Inspect Screens
Let the sunshine in by cleaning your windows and inspecting your screens this spring. If you notice drafts or rising energy bills, it may be time to explore energy-efficient window replacement options.
- Clean interior and exterior glass
- Check for drafts or condensation between panes
- Repair torn window screens
6. Clean Vents
Blocked vents reduce airflow and increase moisture risk. Proper ventilation supports indoor air quality and HVAC efficiency.
- Inspect dryer vents
- Check bathroom exhaust vents
- Remove lint and debris
7. Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up
A tuned system runs more efficiently and can reduce cooling costs. Before summer heat arrives:
- Replace air filters
- Test thermostat function
- Schedule professional servicing
If you find that your air-conditining still isn’t keeping your home cool after a spring tune-up, don’t immediately assume you need a repair or full system replacement. There are several common issues homeowners can check first. Visit our A/C Not Keeping Your Home Cool? Try This guide for simple troubleshooting steps before making a bigger decision.
8. Inspect Your Fence
Freeze-thaw cycles can loosen posts and boards. For aesthetics as well as the safety of pets and children, take a careful inspection of your fence in the spring and fall.
- Tighten loose fasteners
- Reinforce unstable posts
- Check gate alignment
9. Organize and Inspect Your Shed or Garage
Winter weather may have caused unnoticed damage.
10. Test Outdoor Lighting
Longer evenings mean more time outdoors. Proper lighting improves both safety and security.
- Replace burnt-out bulbs
- Test motion sensors
Don’t Overlook Your Basement this Spring
Melting snow and heavy spring rains can push moisture into foundation walls and poorly finished basements. Traditional drywall and wood framing can absorb that moisture, leading to mold, odors, and long-term damage.
Learn how our moisture-resistant basement finishing systems perform better in our Spring Basement Preparation Guide.
How Spring Maintenace Saves You Money
A spring exterior inspection can reveal signs that your roofing or siding system is failing, helping you avoid interior water damage, basement moisture issues, and rising energy bills. Replacing aging materials before they fail protects your home and prevents far more expensive structural or moisture-related problems later.
Don’t Forget: Spring Storm Season is Around the Corner
Completing your spring maintenance checklist is important, but it’s just as criticial to prepare for the unpredictable storms that often follow. In Southeastern Wisconsin, spring can quickly shift from calm sunshine to high winds, hail, or even tornado warnings.
Storms can be interesting to watch, until one causes damage to your roof or home. While we hope that never happens, it’s best to be prepared and know exactly what to do if severe weather impacts your property.
If your home experiences a major storm this season, visit our guide on What to Do After a Tornado or Severe Weather Affects Your Home to learn the immediate steps homeowners should take after a tornado or severe weather hits.
Not sure what condition your exterior systems are really in? Contact us to set up a free consultation and let our experienced team take a closer look. We’ll assess your roof, siding, gutters, and windows and help you determine whether it’s time for replacement, so you can move into the warmer months with confidence.
