30 Outdoor Updates to Tackle This Spring

Fall and winter can do a number on your home's exterior, leaving it with lackluster curb appeal come spring and summer. Beyond the visual effect, your home can quickly slide into disrepair without proactive seasonal maintenance. Set your home up for summer success with these 30 outdoor updates to tackle this spring and early summer.

Examine roof shingles to see if any were lost or damaged during winter, recommends Dwight Barnett, a certified master inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors. If your home has an older roof covering, you may want to start a budget for replacement. The summer sun can really damage roof shingles. Shingles that are cracked, buckled or loose or are missing granules need to be replaced. Flashing around plumbing vents, skylights and chimneys need to be checked and repaired by a qualified roofer. Download a spring home maintenance checklist.

Painted exterior wood details can be deceiving, hiding water and termite damage beneath the paint. To uncover hidden damage, use a screwdriver to probe the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks. Make repairs now before the spring rains do more damage to the exposed wood.

If any of your trim or siding has begun to rot or crumble, replace and repaint it. Repainting siding or trim is often more than a one-weekend project. For color consistency, you can’t just touch it up — instead, you'll need to paint a whole section.