Your home maintenance checklist for spring

Spring is here. There’s something magical about the new life that comes with this season. Many people engage in ritualistic spring cleaning sessions to get rid of the dust and debris from winter and let fresh air penetrate the home. While you’re working on spring cleaning, you should also be aware that there are some household maintenance tasks that you should tackle. Here is a list of things that you need to do to ensure your home is ready for summer fun.

1. Clean the gutters and downspouts

The gutters and downspouts should be the first item on your home maintenance checklist for spring. During the fall and winter months, the gutters and downspouts become clogged with leaves, sticks, and other debris. You can expect rain showers in April and May, so you want to make sure these gutters flow freely. The last thing you want is water pooling at your foundation and causing issues. So while you’re doing your maintenance, don’t forget about these vital parts of the exterior of your home.

2. Inspect your roof 

The roof is a vital part of your home’s integrity and it’s critically important to conduct routine maintenance on it. Unfortunately, those harsh winter storms can cause your shingles to blow north, south, east, and west. Make sure you’re not missing any shingles and that there aren’t any spots on your roof that need to be replaced. Though you can inspect from the ground, it’s always best to grab a ladder and climb up on the roof. You can identify weak spots by walking around the perimeter.

3. Schedule HVAC service

It’s imperative to have maintenance performed on your HVAC system at least twice per year. A trained technician will inspect your system and make sure that it’s running at optimal levels. You don’t want to have an issue in the middle of summer when the temperatures are scorching hot. Changing the filter and topping off the fluids should be done to ensure you are up and running when you need it most.

4. Re-stain or paint porches and decks

The winter weather can wreak havoc on your porches and decks. Spring is a good time to focus on the maintenance of them. You should power wash them and remove any mold or debris that has become attached during the cold season. You may need to update the paint or stain to make it look fresh again. You may also find some boards that warped in the weather and will need to be replaced. It’s best to do all this maintenance before your first barbeque of the year.

5. Clean all curtains and drapes

If you’re wondering how to get your house ready for spring, then you should make a checklist of all the items that need to be done. One thing that you should include on that checklist is to take down all the curtains and wash them. While you’re doing your spring cleaning and other maintenance, you want to get rid of as much dust and debris as possible. Curtains are the one place that many people avoid. If you have allergies or asthma, then you want to make sure to toss these in the wash too.

6. Inspect your screens

The screens can quickly get holes in them over the winter months. If maintenance of fixing any tears won’t cut it, you need new screens, you want to get those as soon as possible. You can’t open your windows and let the breeze flow without these barriers from bugs.

7. Check pest control issues

Many bugs become active in the springtime. One of these pests is the termite. These winged annoyances can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to your home. They begin swarming in early spring, and by summer, it's an infestation. It’s not uncommon to see them inside the house, specifically around the windows, when they are swarming. Don’t count them off as a winged ant; you need to evaluate for these insects every year. If you encounter a pest-related home maintenance problem you don’t want to handle yourself, call in a professional exterminator.

8. Check your sprinklers and irrigation systems

If you are in an area that requires sprinklers or an irrigation system, then you should inspect it, perform any maintenance and make sure it works before the temperatures rise. You want your home to look fantastic and have great curb appeal, and adequately watering your grass is essential.

9. Inspect and repair any driveways and walkways

The winter weather, as well as salt that is used to melt ice, can cause real problems for driveways and walkways. When performing the seasonal maintenance, look for cracks and broken stones that can cause a slip and trip hazard. You certainly don’t want anyone getting hurt on cracks caused by Mother Nature, and it's the perfect time for home improvements.

10. Trim dead plants and shrubs

Sadly, not all plants will make it through the winter season. As you prepare your garden for spring, you need to remove anything that is not salvageable. Shrubs that have yellow instead of green doesn’t always mean they can’t be saved, but you must ensure that your green thumb can bring them back from their dormant state.

Finally, the weather will continuously be changing as the seasons switch from winter to spring. Make sure you tune into your local weather forecast to ensure that no rain will delay your much-needed home maintenance days.

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