Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home after the long, dark winter. Beyond spring cleaning, it's also essential to carry out some home maintenance tasks to ensure your home is in excellent condition for the year ahead. Here is a spring home maintenance checklist to help you target the areas that need maintenance.
Home Care List:
Examine Roof Shingles
Inspect your roof shingles for any damage, including cracks, buckling, loose or missing granules. Additionally, check the flashing around plumbing vents, skylights, and chimneys and repair them if necessary.
Probe the Wood Trim
Use a screwdriver to probe the wood trim around your windows, doors, railings, and decks. Make sure to repair any exposed wood now before the spring rains do more damage.
Check the Gutters
Check for loose or leaky gutters. Make sure downspouts are draining away from the foundation and are clear and free of debris. Consider installing gutter screens or protectors to help keep debris out of the gutters.
Examine Brickwork and Stucco
Look for spalling, deteriorated mortar, and efflorescence on brickwork and stucco. If you discover water penetration in brick, consider sealing the brick with an appropriate sealant.
Examine Siding or Trim
Replace any rotting or crumbling trim or siding and repaint it for color consistency.
Examine the Chimney
Examine the exterior of the chimney for signs of damage. Have the flue cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep to ensure it is in good condition and ready for use.
Check the Attic
Check your attic for proper ventilation and birds' nests. Look for obstructions over vents, damaged soffit panels, roof flashing leaks, and wet spots on insulation. Wear long sleeves and gloves when handling insulation.
Check Outside Faucets
Check outside hose faucets for freeze damage. If you can stop the flow of water, it is likely the pipe inside the home is damaged and will need to be replaced.
Recaulk Windows and Doors
Inspect and, if necessary, caulk around your home's windows and doors annually. This will help keep out heat and humidity in the summer and cold drafts in the winter, and save money on your utility bills all year round. Open and close all windows to check whether they open easily and close tightly. If not, check the weather stripping.
Inspect the Concrete Slabs and Patios
Inspect concrete slabs for signs of cracks or movement. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk. Power-wash and seal the concrete when weather permits. Check for uneven patios and bricks.
Repair Window Screens
Replace damaged or torn screens. Easy replacement kits can be purchased at your local hardware store. To fix a small hole in a window or door screen, dab clear household cement over the hole with a toothpick. If the screens are plastic, test the cement on a scrap to make sure it won't melt the material. Use the same technique to repair screen tears. Pull the two halves of the tear together and hold them in place with masking tape on one side. Apply the household cement to the tear, then smooth with a putty knife. When it's dry, gently remove the tape and apply cement to the other side.
Service the AC Unit
Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor clean and service the outside unit of the air conditioning system. Change interior filters on a regular basis.
Check Railings, Fences, and Walkway
Winter weather can be hard on driveways, railings, and fences. Check for loose railings around the house, but particularly those at stairs, which might have provided a bit more support than usual during slippery winter weather. Pay special attention to railings secured in concrete, which can crack and expand in freezing conditions. Similarly, evaluate driveways and sidewalks for any cracks and unevenness that could be tripping hazards. Also, look over fences to see if any repairs are necessary from things like snow blower impacts or a long season of wind blowing on old materials.
Update Exterior Lighting
Days might be getting longer, but outdoor lighting is more important than ever as you start taking activities outside. Check existing outdoor light fixtures around the house and yard (don't forget the garage) and replace any burned-out bulbs or solar lights.
Vent a Little
Clean the dryer vent to prevent the risk of fire. Also, clear any debris around foundation vents to allow for proper ventilation.
Examine Exterior for Openings
Any openings created from winter, especially around areas where pipes enter the home should have the gaps filled / caulked.
Check Power Equipment
Check your gas and battery-powered lawn equipment to make sure it is ready for summer use. Clean equipment and sharpen cutting blades.
Replace Smoke Alarm Batteries
Remember to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year.
Yard Care List:
Use Compacted Soil
Fill any low areas in the yard or next to the foundation with compacted soil to prevent flooding and insect breeding.
Prune Trees and Bushes
Spring is the ideal time to prune trees and bushes to encourage new growth. Use pruning shears to remove dead branches and shape trees and bushes to promote healthy growth.
Fertilize the Lawn
Spring is the perfect time to fertilize your lawn to help it grow lush and green. Use a slow-release fertilizer to provide your lawn with nutrients over time. Seed any bare areas as well.
Clean and Maintain the Grill
Before grilling season begins, give your grill a deep clean. Use a wire brush to remove any stuck-on grime and replace the propane tank if necessary.
Pressure wash and stain the deck (if applicable)
Check the Irrigation System (if applicable)
Inspect the irrigation system for leaks, clogs or damage. Hire a professional to repair any issues to ensure your lawn and garden stay healthy and green all summer long.
Check for Pests
Spring is the time when pests start to come out of hibernation, so it's important to inspect your home and yard for signs of infestations. Hire a professional pest control company if necessary. Also fill any gaps where pipes enter the home to help prevent pests from entering.
Spring is a time of renewal, so take advantage of the season to give your home the attention it deserves. Use this spring home maintenance checklist to make sure your home is in great shape for the year ahead.
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