Perform Seasonal Exterior Maintenance

A. Finished-Project Specification

Scope: one coordinated seasonal exterior maintenance cycle on one accessible residential property, covering debris and drainage clearing, hose-bibb service, minor accessible sealant, minor hardware, seasonal preparation, and documentation.

B. Seasonal Task Schedule

Segment	Tasks Covered	Primary Purpose
Risk identification	Freeze, snow, heavy rain, wind, wildfire, heat, humidity, storms, irrigation, leaf accumulation	Determine which tasks apply to the current cycle
Debris and drainage	Walkways, stairs, decks, porches, window wells, drains, swales, foundation edges	Restore and maintain approved drainage paths
Downspouts and discharge	Extensions, splash blocks, sump discharge, surface drains	Confirm water is directed through approved paths
Hose bibbs and water lines	Vacuum breakers, connections, hoses, timers, seasonal shutdown	Prevent freeze damage and confirm leak-free operation
Sealant and hardware	Minor failed sealant at approved joints; stairs, handrails, guards, gates, locks, lighting	Maintain envelope and life-safety exterior components
Seasonal preparation and closeout	Storage of loose items, vent and termination checks, documentation	Prepare the exterior for the identified seasonal condition

C. Records and Reference Takeoff

• Records to review before work begins: prior seasonal records, open Chapter 3–6 exterior findings, manufacturer instructions, local utility guidance, and property-specific shutdown procedures.
• Seasonal Exterior Maintenance worksheet: one copy, used to record every completed task, unresolved defect, and referral generated by this cycle.
• Photograph index: maintained alongside the worksheet, linking pre- and post-maintenance photographs to each task.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Debris clearing	Approved walkways, stairs, decks, porches, window wells, drains, swales, and foundation edges are free of leaves, branches, litter, and vegetation blocking drainage or access
Drainage connection	Downspout extensions, splash blocks, sump discharge, and surface drains remain connected and direct water through the approved path away from the foundation
Hose-bibb condition	Hose bibbs, vacuum breakers, and piping support show no active leakage; hoses, timers, and attachments are disconnected where the seasonal procedure requires it; water lines are shut down through the approved property-specific procedure where applicable
Sealant scope	Only failed sealant at joints identified in Chapter 5 as designed for sealant is replaced; no weep, vent, lap, or drainage gap is sealed
Hardware	Only minor accessible stair, handrail, guard, gate, or fastener hardware with verified backing is tightened; no structural component is altered
Documentation completeness	Every completed task, unresolved defect, referral, photograph, and the next seasonal trigger are recorded on the worksheet

E. Preparation — Risk Review and Records

1. Identify the upcoming seasonal risks for the property. Determine which of freeze, snow, heavy rain, wind, wildfire, heat, humidity, storms, irrigation, or leaf accumulation apply to this cycle.
2. Review prior seasonal records and open findings. Check prior seasonal records, open exterior findings from Chapters 3 through 6, manufacturer instructions, local utility guidance, and property-specific shutdown procedures.
3. Check weather and schedule the work. Confirm dry, safe conditions appropriate to the selected tasks before beginning.
4. Prepare the task list, tools, and PPE. Stage the approved task list, tools, waste containers, ladder controls, personal protective equipment, and emergency plan.
5. Photograph pre-maintenance conditions. Walk the site and photograph conditions before beginning any task.

F. Debris and Drainage Maintenance

1. Remove debris from approved surfaces. Clear leaves, branches, litter, vegetation, and debris from walkways, stairs, decks, porches, window wells, drains, swales, and foundation edges.
2. Preserve slope stability and utilities. Do not remove vegetation in a way that destabilizes slopes, damages protected landscaping, or exposes utilities.
3. Clear accessible drainage structures. Clear accessible area drains, catch-basin grates, window-well drains, swales, and discharge outlets without entering confined structures or forcing concealed blockages.
4. Verify downspout and discharge connections. Confirm downspout extensions, splash blocks, sump discharge, and surface drains remain connected and direct water through the approved path.
5. Correct minor displaced components. Reposition minor displaced extensions or splash blocks within the approved scope.
6. Inspect grading for new concerns. Identify new low areas, erosion, settlement, animal burrows, and blocked drainage paths, and record them as referrals if outside the maintenance scope.

G. Hose Bibbs, Sealant, and Minor Hardware

1. Inspect hose bibbs and connections. Check hose bibbs, vacuum breakers, handles, escutcheons, piping support, and wall penetrations.
2. Operate bibbs only when conditions permit. Operate hose bibbs only when freeze conditions, interior shutoffs, drainage, and leak response permit it.
3. Disconnect seasonal attachments. Disconnect hoses, timers, splitters, and attachments where the seasonal procedure requires it.
4. Complete the seasonal water-line shutdown. Shut down and drain seasonal water lines only through the approved property-specific procedure, and do not assume a frost-resistant fixture is protected while hoses or attachments remain connected.
5. Service only minor failed sealant. Remove and replace failed sealant only at joints identified in Chapter 5 as designed for sealant, confirming substrate, flashing, drainage, weather, and material compatibility first.
6. Tighten only minor accessible hardware. Tighten stairs, handrails, guards, gates, locks, and lighting hardware only where backing and compatible fasteners are verified.

H. Seasonal Preparation and Closeout

1. Secure or store seasonal items. Store approved seasonal furniture, grills, hoses, decorations, tools, and loose objects without blocking exits or equipment.
2. Inspect trees from the ground. Identify obvious storm or contact concerns and refer pruning or arborist work as needed.
3. Prepare seasonal-response supplies. Stage snow, ice, storm, wildfire, or heat-response supplies appropriate to the property without creating fuel, chemical, or access hazards.
4. Inspect exterior vents and terminations. Check for debris, nests, snow exposure, or damage without blocking required airflow.
5. Recheck drainage and access. Confirm drainage paths and exterior access remain clear after all maintenance tasks.
6. Clean the work area and record results. Remove waste without leaving combustible debris against the building, then record every completed task, product, adjustment, unresolved defect, photograph, and next seasonal trigger.