ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 10, 1997 TAG: 9704100005
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: home front
SOURCE: MARY ANN H. JOHNSON
Warm spring weather draws people outside for different reasons. Some want to garden, some want to fix up their homes.
Repairing winter weather damage may need to top your list of spring home improvement chores, said John Kirby, Virginia Cooperative Extension housing and structures specialist. He offered a list of items to check.
"Start by walking around the outside of the house and looking it over," he said.
Check rain gutters and downspouts to see if they are clear of debris and securely anchored to the eave line and the house wall.
If they are clogged, remove the debris. The garden hose is helpful for this task, but it's often necessary to remove debris by hand.
Inspect siding for damage such as cracking, splitting, warping or decay. Replace worn sections and add additional nails if they have popped out.
Check to see if the exterior of the house and the doors and window frames need painting.
"If you find some projects," said Kirby, "you might want to arrange with a home improvement firm to do some of the work."
If you hire individuals to do home repair, be sure you check on the rules for taxes. Some kinds of repair workers would not be included, but other individuals become employees, and the homeowner could be responsible for withholding and matching Social Security contributions and withholding state and federal taxes.
"If you are dealing with a home improvement company for projects valued at more than $1,500," he said, "be sure the company is licensed by the state. Virginia has standards for firms that are doing home repair."
Also, be sure the firm has insurance to cover any liabilities. If something happens, the homeowner will be liable.
"A written contract, which specifies the price, materials, payment terms and a timetable, is an important part of working with a home repair firm," he said.
Kirby added that some homes might need roof repairs and he suggested people check their roof as part of the inspection.
Inspect for wind, snow or ice damage such as loose or missing shingles. If you cannot climb on the roof, use binoculars to inspect the surface.
Check the supports, seals or wire anchors of equipment such as television antennas.
Inspect masonry chimneys for cracks and missing mortar around bricks and blocks. A professional mason often is needed to repair this.
Check exterior and interior sides of foundation walls and the basement floor for cracks. If you find any, determine their cause, and repair them to prevent water seepage. Cracks can be caused when exterior water places pressure on the walls or floors, when soil settles under the foundation footing, when weather changes bring on expansion or contraction, or when poor quality mortar is used in the mortar joints. Repairs should probably be done by a professional.
Inspect basement and crawl space walls and floors for signs of dampness or water stains. Moisture problems can be caused by condensation in which case a dehumidifier or vent can solve the problem.
However, moisture problems also can be the result of exterior water pressure forcing moisture through walls and floors. In that case, professional help may be needed. You can control the amount that collects around the foundation by proper gutter and downspout construction and proper grading of the areas around the house so they slope away gently.
Check the slope of concrete and asphalt paving. If freezing caused them to buckle, settle unevenly, and slope toward the house, water runoff can collect near the foundation and cause moisture problems.
Inspect exposed wooden support members and floor framing for decay or other damage from pests. If they are weakened by rot, replace them with materials treated with a wood preservative after you have eliminated the source of the problem.
Check vents in the crawl space to make sure the screen or wire mesh covering is secure and in good repair. Open the vents in the spring to provide necessary ventilation to the crawl space.
Check wooden and concrete steps for cracked, chipped, broken or uneven sections. If any damage has caused the steps to be unsafe, or difficult to walk on, plan for repairs.
LENGTH: Medium: 80 linesby CNB