Fixing Up Your Home For Spring – Some Tips From Autumn Cove

stain deck     sealing window cracks

Winter months can take a toll on your home’s exterior. Damage from an accumulation of Ice and snow can cause expansion and spreading of small cracks and crevices, leading to leaks and drips. Chipping and flaking paint can also result from icy build-up. Finding and fixing small cracks or loose boards is what makes all the difference between a well-maintained and worry-free appearance and the gradual decline of your home's condition. Manufactured homes are no exception.


Walk around your home's exterior and take a good look at the general condition. Focus in on four main areas: the foundation or skirting, the or siding, all windows and doors, and the roof line. Beginning with the skirting, looking for any loose screws or unattached edges. Using construction adhesive or screws, reattach the panels firmly in place. Now move on to the siding and make sure there are no loose panels. If there are, fasten the panel in place using small screws or construction adhesive, as you did with the skirting to prevent them tearing away or bending in a stiff wind. Once all is fastened, check to see if touching up your paint is needed If your home’s exterior is brick, follow the same repair procedure as you used for the home’s foundation (below). If you find larger gaps, use a can of expanding foam to fill the space. Once it is dry, trim away any excess with a sharp knife.


cracked concreteAlso look for any cracks in concrete steps, walkways or driveways – even a hairline crack should have attention paid to it. Using a can of compressed air, blow any dust or debris from the crack. Then with a caulking gun, and a tube of concrete filler, (a concrete colored rubbery substance) seal cracks to prevent water and ice from further erosion or frost heaves. Apply the filler to the crack and then using a gloved finger. press it into the crack and smooth and blend the filler into the surrounding surface.


Now carefully check around all windows and doors. Caulk neatly, but throroughly around all edges with a silicone caulking (you can use a paintable one) to prevent water or insects from getting inside and causing damage. Pay attention to your screens as well. Repair or replace bent or torn screens, and ensure they are snugly in place. Replace any broken or cracked panes of glass. If any trim around the windows or doorways is peeling or cracked, sand or scrape the loose paint, fill any cracks or holes. Apply primer and a couple new coats of paint.


With your doors and windows looking great, move up to the roofline, checking the eaves for loose panels or chipped or peeling paint and any signs of water damage or dry rot. If you find the latter, you may need to hire a professional to come and repair the problem, otherwise the process is much the same as to repair siding or window trims. Be sure to check for any loose joints on your rain gutters and downspouts as well.


20141120_125651Now you are set to enjoy any rain springtime throws our way, and a sunny summer season in your manufactured home. Residents of Autumn Cove in Idaho Falls, Idaho, a manufactured housing community for seniors age 55 or better, already know how taking pride in their homes pays off. Call (208) 522-3807 today or visit our website to learn how you too can become the owner of an affordable and attractive manufactured home for sale in this senior-oriented community. Take a look at our newest home for sale at Autumn Cove here: https://youtu.be/KPdVWp071mI


If you are looking for a family-friendly neighborhood, be sure to call the same number above and ask about Pinewood Estates – another great manufactured housing community located in Idaho Falls.

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