Seasonal Spotlight: Why Spring is Prime Time for Home Inspections

Spring is the season of optimism. In many ways, it serves as nature’s new year. The days get longer, the landscape gets greener, and the sidewalks start to bustle after slowing during winter’s coldest months. 

As such, many people are motivated by the changing weather to do things they had been putting on the back burner for months. When it comes to household tasks, this often involves reducing clutter, changing decor, and performing landscaping projects. However, one item that should not be overlooked is performing a home inspection. Although many people prioritize home inspections when buying or selling a house, they really should be included as part of routine homeownership. Home inspections can help you understand the ongoing value of your property, identify any potential issues, and serve as a starting point for planning renovation projects. With this in mind, keep reading as we explore some of the many reasons why spring is a prime time to schedule a home inspection! 

Improved Visibility

The winter weather is quite good at hiding things around your home. Whether its dead leaves covering your roof, snow covering your decking and railing, ice dams blocking sections of your sidewalk, or fallen branches nesting in your backyard, winter conditions in northern Illinois are rife with obstructive debris. When combined with the frequent gray and foggy conditions, it can be difficult to get a good look around your property. With the warmer weather and brighter days that spring provides, the season naturally lends itself to getting a better look at all aspects of your residence. 

Winter Can Take Its Toll

It is no secret that northern Illinois winters can be harsh. If there is any kind of weakness in your home, the frigid temperatures, high winds, and heavy snowfall will surely exploit them. This makes winter a prime time for roof leakage, broken window seals, cracking paint, and degraded flooring from snow, salt, and sand that makes its way inside. Therefore, spring is the first window of opportunity to get ahead of any problems that winter caused. 

Melting Begins

Freezing has a strong preservation effect–and this does not simply apply to your chest freezer. Frozen ground water, ice dams on the roof, and stilled rivulets can put a temporary pause on the force of flowing water. However, once the warmer spring weather arrives, the water will start running once again, putting weak spots around the home to the test. As such, spring is the ideal time to check the insulation, vapor barrier basement walls, and seal any cracks in the building envelope to keep flowing water from wreaking havoc. 

Greater Access to All Areas of the Home

Winter is a season for hunkering down and staying inside. Not only is it more comfortable to stay indoors, but there are many areas of the home’s exterior that are unsafe or even impossible to access during the winter months. Therefore, spring is likely the first chance an inspection professional will get for taking a 360-degree look at your property. 

A Wide Range of Weather Conditions

Although the winter weather in northern Illinois can be harsh, spring does not automatically promise nothing but sunny days ahead. Spring snowstorms are still common in the region, and the high winds that accompany rising temperatures are all but a guarantee. Spring in northern Illinois brings with it the full gamut of weather conditions and can be a prime opportunity to assess the performance of your home amid the variability. 

The Season of New Beginnings

From flowers blooming to annual spring cleaning, the first pitch of the baseball season to birds migrating north once again, spring is well-known as the season of new beginnings. Therefore, it is the perfect opportunity to break out the insulation tools, paint brush, and caulking to fortify your home and get it ready for the seasonal cycle to come. 

Upticks in Real Estate Activity

Even though you are not limited to performing a home inspection prior to listing a property, there is no denying that most inspections take place with at least one eye on a future sale. With this in mind, spring is an ideal time to schedule an inspection. According to Bankrate, the highest activity in home sales takes place in late spring and early summer. By performing a home inspection in the spring, you will put yourself in a strong position to preempt any issues that potential buyers may notice and get a premium price for your listing.  

Get Started This Spring With a Home Inspection

Spring is a season for getting things done, the time when many homeowners tackle items on their to-do list that have been sitting dormant for too long. Therefore, be sure to schedule a home inspection as part of your spring homeownership process. By considering the tips listed above and scheduling a consultation with Bee Sure Home Inspection Services, you are taking a pivotal step in preparing your home for the seasons to come!

Author Bio

Brian Jeffries is a freelance writer who loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on construction projects and materials. He lives in Winter Park, Florida where he enjoys spending time with his wife and working on projects in his spare time. Brian’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a construction industry resource site.