Each season comes with its set of home maintenance chores. There is something special about spring that is really motivating to clean up and get things done. Take advantage of it and get to work! Here are some recommended home maintenance tasks to help get you started.
Spring Home Care Checklist
1. Check the roof - Winter storms can wreak havoc on your roof and shingles. Now is the time to check for storm damage and repair and replace shingles. Even a small leak can lead to major water damage when those inevitable spring showers come pouring down.
2. Clean your gutters - Even if you cleaned the gutters in the fall, it's a good idea to clean them again in spring. Over the winter, twigs, branches, leaves, and other debris can clog gutters. Clearing them out helps them work properly and protects shingles from water damage when it rains. Don't forget to check that downspouts point away from the house and are free of debris.
3. Have the AC serviced - Central air conditioners require annual servicing to work efficiently. Spring is the perfect time to schedule your servicing, so you know the AC works well before summer arrives. A technician should clean the unit, replace the filter, and let you know of any upcoming repairs the central AC will need to keep working.
4. Vent a Little - Take time to clean the dryer vent. Lint traps catch a lot, but not all of the lint your laundry produces. A plugged dryer vent not only makes the dryer work harder, but it’s also a fire hazard. If you have a basement or crawl space, clear rocks and other debris away from foundation vents.
5. Wash the windows and clean the screens - Opening the windows allows fresh air into your home, and can help you stay cool while curbing energy use. Before you open the windows for the season, give the panes and screens a good cleaning with soapy water. You'll be able to see much better, and can safely open the windows without letting dirt into your home. If screens are ripped, this is the perfect time to patch them.
6. Clean and repair outside surfaces - Exterior siding and other outside surfaces take a beating during cold months. Use a pressure washer to clean siding, decks, patios, driveways, fences and other outside surfaces of the dirt and grime that settled there during winter. Also inspect paint spots for chips, cracks or peeling. If you find areas that need repairing, scrape off the old paint and apply a fresh coat.
7. Seal cracks - Take a walk around the outside of your home and inspect all concrete slabs and walkways for signs of damage or movement. Damage to your sidewalk and driveway can become a safety hazard if not repaired right away. You can patch and fill most cracks in concrete yourself using DIY cement-repair products, while deeper cracks require professional mending.
8. Weatherproof your windows and doors - Warm weather provides the perfect time to wash and clean dirty windows and replace worn out, tattered screens as necessary. Be sure to check the caulking for signs of deterioration and add weather stripping around doors to reduce energy costs.
9. Replace smoke alarm batteries - Traditional wisdom recommends replacing the batteries in your smoke alarm twice a year. Doing this task when time changes in the spring and fall makes it easy to remember.
10. Get your lawn and garden care equipment ready for the season - Lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, weed whackers, hand pruners -- all of these tools help you keep your lawn and garden looking their best throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Spring is the time to have tools sharpened, change the oil in your lawnmower, replace weed whacker string, or purchase any tools you don't have.
Spread these seven tasks out or accomplish them all in one weekend to get your home ready for the warm weather.