Alabama houses work hard. Spring storms, a long humid summer, pollen that coats everything, and every few winters a hard freeze that catches folks off guard. A little maintenance on a schedule saves a lot of money and headaches later. Here's a simple checklist by season.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is storm season, so this is about water and wind.
- Gutters and downspouts. Clear out winter leaves and pollen sludge. Make sure downspouts carry water away from the foundation.
- Roof check from the ground. Look for missing or lifted shingles, and damaged flashing around chimneys and vents.
- Trees. Trim limbs hanging over the roof before storm season.
- Storm prep. Know where your water shutoff and breaker panel are. Take a few photos of each room now. It makes any future insurance claim much easier.
- Heating and air. Have the system serviced before the heat hits, and change filters. Pollen season clogs them fast.
- Deck. Look for loose boards, wobbly railings and soft spots, especially where the deck meets the house.
Summer (June to August)
Heat and humidity are the enemies.
- Filters. Change heating and air filters regularly. Your system is running hard.
- Humidity and moisture. Watch for condensation, musty smells or water stains, especially in bathrooms, crawl spaces and around the air handler. Make sure bathroom exhaust fans actually run and vent outside.
- Caulk and grout. Re-caulk around tubs, showers and sinks where it's cracked. Small gaps let water into the walls.
- Exterior wood. Check trim, fascia and door frames for soft or rotting wood. Paint and seal where needed.
- Pests. Termites love warm, damp Alabama soil. Keep mulch and wood away from the foundation and keep up with inspections.
Fall (September to November)
Get ready for winter, and for the leaves.
- Gutters again, after the leaves fall.
- Seal the house. Weatherstrip doors and caulk around windows to keep heat in and bugs out.
- Heating check. Service the heat before the first cold night.
- Deck care. Clean and seal wood decks while the weather is mild and dry.
- Exterior faucets. Know how to shut off and drain them before freezes.
Winter (December to February)
Our winters are mild, until they aren't.
- Freezes. When a hard freeze is coming, cover outdoor faucets, insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces and attics, and let a faucet drip on the coldest nights.
- Know your shutoff. If a pipe does burst, shutting the water off fast saves your floors and walls.
- Indoor check. Look for drafts, sticking doors and new cracks. Winter is a good time to plan spring projects.
- Smoke and CO detectors. Test them and change batteries.
Year-round
- Look under sinks for slow leaks.
- Keep the dryer vent clean.
- Walk around the outside of the house every few months and look for anything that changed.
The attic and crawl space
Two places people never look are where problems hide. Once or twice a year, take a flashlight up into the attic and look for daylight around vents, water stains on the roof deck, and insulation that's packed down or missing. The Alabama Department of Insurance also recommends checking attic insulation and ventilation before winter. In the crawl space, look for standing water, sagging insulation, damp wood and signs of pests. Catching a small leak early can save a floor.
Keep a simple record
Write down when you changed filters, cleaned gutters or had the heating and air serviced. A note on your phone works fine. It helps you stay on schedule, and when it's time to sell, a buyer likes to see a house that's been looked after.
Small fixes you can handle yourself
Plenty of items on this list are good weekend jobs: changing filters, cleaning gutters on a one-story house, re-caulking a tub, tightening loose cabinet hinges, and replacing worn weatherstripping. Anything involving a ladder on a two-story roof, electrical work, gas lines or structural repairs is worth leaving to a pro. When you're not sure, ask. A five-minute phone call is cheaper than a fall or a fire.
Storm season prep
Spring and late fall bring severe weather to Central Alabama. Before storm season, trim dead limbs, tie down or store loose patio furniture, and make sure your family knows where to go in the house when a warning is issued. Keep a flashlight, batteries and a weather radio where you can find them in the dark.
When the list gets long
Some of these are easy weekend jobs. Others, like soft subfloors, rotted trim, a leaking shower or a deck that's seen better days, are better handed off. GRD Construction handles repairs, punch lists and maintenance across Clanton, Chilton County and Central Alabama. Write down your list, call or chat with Paula, and Paul will come out and give you a free detailed estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my gutters in Alabama?
At least in spring and again after leaves fall in autumn. More often if you have trees over the roof.
What should I do before a hard freeze?
Cover outdoor faucets, insulate exposed pipes, let a faucet drip on the coldest nights, and know where your main water shutoff is.
Do you do small repair jobs?
Yes. Repairs, punch lists and maintenance are part of what GRD does.
