Spring cleaning for homeowners doesn't end once the inside of the house is sparkling. Instead, warm weather sends them outside for even more work.

If you're a homeowner, don't skip straight from purging your closet to mowing the lawn; first work through these tips for exterior home maintenance to keep your house running smoothly both inside and out.

1. PRESSURE WASH YOUR HOME'S EXTERIOR

If you have vinyl siding, you'll want to use a low-pressure variant of pressure washing mixed with detergent to help remove the grime of winter. It's important to use a low-pressure wash setting for vinyl siding to avoid damaging or cracking.

If you have steel siding (such as a Rollex siding product), though, you can pressure wash with hot water, and skip the detergent.

2. INSPECT GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS TO ENSURE PROPER DRAINAGE

Your gutters and downspouts should be inspected twice per year. During your spring cleaning is a great time to check to see if you need to replace older gutters or downspouts.

If your gutters are dumping water on your foundation (for example, if the gutters are twisted or misshapen or if you see water marks on the siding), it may be time to replace them. Be sure to choose a durable, long-lasting, and hard-wearing option such as Rollex rainware when you replace them.

In addition to looking for obvious signs of damage, you can also check for leaky gutters by running water from a hose. Then, simply repair or replace as necessary.

3. INSPECT YOUR ROOF WITH A CAMERA

Roof inspections can be dangerous for a homeowner, except when you do them all from the ground or even from the safety of your living room.

Use a high-quality digital camera to take pictures of your roof on all sides from ground level. Then, use a computer to zoom in so you can see detailed areas without leaving the ground!

When inspecting your roof, be sure to check for:

• Small debris, which especially loves to collect in valleys and can encourage leaks
• Large debris such as tree branches, which can physically damage shingles
• Missing, torn, or warped shingles, or shingles sitting at a funny angle
• Missing or rusted flashing (flashing should be present around everything that sits on or sticks through the roof)
• Curling or peeling shingles or flashing
• Color changes, which can indicate moss or algae growth

4. CHECK UP ON WINDOW CAULKING

Many homeowners only think of their caulking in the winter, when they're trying to keep out cold drafts. However, windows can lose just as much energy in the summer, so it's important to stay on top of weatherproofing throughout the year.

Check for old or damaged caulking and replace it. Caulking may need to be scraped away and replaced if it shows any of the following:

• Is the caulking dried out and pulling away from the surface of the wall?
• Is the caulking's surface full of cracks?
• Is the caulking growing mold? (This may also indicate a moisture problem.)

Doors may need re-caulking as well, especially around the threshold and in any areas that you've previously found to be drafty.

5. DON'T FORGET YOUR VENT AND WINDOW SCREENS

Vent screens that keep bugs and critters out of your crawl spaces and attics should be checked for damage (like holes or weakness). You'll want to give your window screens a once-over as well.

If your vents or screens are a few years old, they can start to wear thin and be more susceptible to getting holes in them. Repairing or replacing worn or broken screens can help keep critters out of your house for another year.

Maintaining screens can help them last longer, so be sure to give the screens the care they deserve with these steps:

• Repair holes by patching more material over them (alternatively, take them to a local hardware store to be re-screened)
• Clean using a simple solution of soap and water
• Check frames for wobbling or other damage, and repair as necessary
• Repaint frames if applicable (being careful not to get paint on the screens themselves)

These five tips will help you maximize your spring cleaning efforts and get its walls, roof, and gutter systems ready for whatever the summer brings—whether it's blazing heat, thunderstorms, or both.

Sources:

http://hometipsforwomen.com/ex...

http://www.homeadvisor.com/r/s...

www.rollex.com/steel-siding

www.rollex.com/rainware