Spring home maintenance checklist

You’re stocked up on cleaning supplies, the windows are open and you’ve officially retired your winter coat. Hello spring!

However,  spring home maintenance goes beyond deep cleaning and organizing. Work  your way through this checklist to make sure your home is ready for the  change in seasons.

Exterior maintenance:

1. Check the roof.

If  you’re comfortable on a ladder, inspect your roof from up high. If not,  use binoculars. Look for damaged or missing shingles and signs of  rusting, cracking or leaking. If you find issues, call a professional to  assess the damage.

2. Clean out the gutters.

Clear  all leaves and debris out of the gutters and downspouts. If they’re  sagging, reattach the gutters, or replace them with new hardware. Use  caulking to seal holes and prevent leaking. Make sure downspouts face  away from the foundation of your home for proper draining.

3. Inspect the concrete.

Take  a walk around your property to look for cracking in the driveway,  walkways or pool deck. You can fill cracks with concrete filler or  silicone caulk, but if the concrete is severely damaged, you may want to  replace it entirely.

4. Check outside faucets.

Inspect  hose faucets for freeze damage by turning on the water and placing a  finger over the opening. If that stops the water flow, the pipe may be  damaged. Call a professional to inspect your pipes and determine if they  need replacing.

5. Inspect the air conditioning unit.

Remove  debris from around the cooling unit, and change the filters. To help  your unit run properly in the upcoming months, follow these steps to make your system more efficient. Spring is also the ideal time to schedule a professional HVAC tune-up.

6. Give the deck some attention.

Check  the deck for signs of water stains, discoloration and warping. Look for  rusty or loose nails, and make sure the railings and stairs are safely  secured. Replace rotting or lifting boards.

7. Repair and reseal woodwork.

In  addition to the deck, you’ll also want to focus on wooden fences,  railings and trellises if you have them. It’s important to give these  wood structures some TLC as they are prone to rot and decay so it’s a  good idea to learn how to maintain a wood fence.

8. Run the sprinklers.

Turn  your sprinklers on to check if the system is still working properly.  Look for leaks or broken sprinkler heads. Adjust them so they spray the  grass rather than the house, sidewalks or porches.

9. Inspect windows and doors.

Check for cracks or holes and repair as necessary. Use a screen repair kit to fix holes or tears that bugs can sneak through.

10. Spruce up landscaping.

Clear your landscaping of debris, trim overgrowth and plan fresh additions. HGTV recommended using compacted soil in low areas of your yard, as spring rains can cause flooding and foundation damage.

Interior maintenance:

1. Open the windows.

With  the welcoming warmth of fresh spring breezes, you might be inclined to  do this regardless. Opening the windows is also an effective way to  naturally aerate your home and may improve air quality. Take this  opportunity to wipe down the interior of the window sills as they have  most likely collected dust, dirt and mold over the winter months.

2. Inspect the basement and attic.

Check  the walls and floors for water stains, mold and leaks. Remove unwanted  moisture that can lead to mold issues or serious water damage.

3. Perform routine home safety checks.

Change  the batteries in smoke detectors, make sure fire extinguishers are  still intact with the needle in the green zone and check that exhaust  fans are working properly. Replace anything that isn’t working  immediately.

4. Clean the furnace.

The  furnace worked overtime hard these last few months, so make sure you  clean the filter system, blower and motor. If you’re not comfortable  doing it yourself, call a professional.

5. Consider upgrades.

Spring  is the perfect time to revisit your appliances, lighting and other  essentials that may need replacing. If it’s time for an upgrade,  consider energy-efficient options to help reduce waste and lower your  bills. Refer to the Department of Energy for guides to the best home energy improvements.

 

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