Spring is the perfect time to check your home and property for improvement over the warm months.

Here are some tips from local and area “specialists” in home improvement:

Michael and Justin Hutchinson from Hutch & Son Builders:

•Downspouts: Check to make sure they are connected properly — or if you don’t have them at all, check with your friendly neighborhood supplier for new ones. Keeping water away from your foundation prevents leaks and cracks.

•Insulation: Spring is the perfect time to check windows and doors for the proper fit and insulation. Whether it is spring or fall, too much air flow around doors and windows can greatly affect the heat or cooling bills.

•Cracks in concrete and plaster are best addressed during warm weather, but it’s best to wait to fix them until the ground has settled after the spring thaw.

•Keep that grill away from your siding! Control your enthusiasm for getting that burger on the grill by making sure your equipment is well away from your vinyl siding. Too high of heat near the vinyl will melt it.

Wondering about a wet foundation? Lance Schmidt of Complete Basement Systems has these thoughts to consider:

•Minnesota has particularly high amount of clay in its soil in many areas, which holds moisture. If your soil is wet and it touches your foundation, your foundation will get wet as well.

“Eventually if your ground is holding water, it’s going to push into your house,” he said. There are several options for a dry basement, but it will take  a professional to help you, he said. Solutions could range from dehumidifiers to drain systems to crack repairs.

Tony Close, who operates Advanced Designs Siding and Roofing Inc. says spring is the best time to check your roof for cracked or cupped shingles, hail damage or missing shingles.

And that may take a professional, said Close.

“Sometimes you can’t see damage, but it’s there; it takes a professional to really see hail damage,” he said, adding if the fixes are not made, it could affect the integrity of the entire roof.