Outdoor Spring Cleaning Checklist
During the fall and winter, people in central Pennsylvania tend to spend more time inside, where they can be cozy and comfortable instead of spending time outside like they might in other seasons. This means outdoor maintenance tasks stack up over the colder months.
When the snow starts to melt, you might notice that the outside of your home needs some work to get it looking nice. This year, remember to include these six outdoor tasks on your PA spring cleanup checklist.
1. Wash Patios, Doors, Siding, and Windows
At the beginning of spring, use a pressure washer or hose to clean all the surfaces on your house that have had time to collect dirt over the winter. This includes patios, doors, siding, windows, and window screens. Make sure to clean underneath the patio roof as well, since spiderwebs and debris build up here easily. When you’re done, your home will look cleaner, both up close and from the street.
2. Clean Outdoor Furniture and Decorations
If you left your outdoor furniture exposed to the elements during fall and winter, it likely needs to be cleaned. The same is true even if you stored your furniture inside, though to a lesser extent. Use a cleaning solution formulated for outdoor furniture to avoid damage. At the same time, check the cushions, rugs, and other fabric decorations for damage and replace them as necessary.
3. Clear Out the Garage
Excess clutter in the garage can look unsightly and make it difficult to find the outdoor gardening supplies you need during the spring and summer. When the weather starts to warm up, spend some time clearing it out. Throw out any garbage, clean your recycling bins and sweep up any sand the car tracked in over the winter. Then, go through stored items and set aside things you no longer need, either to donate or sell in a garage sale.
4. Refresh Soil and Mulch
Don’t forget this step on your landscape cleanup checklist. Fall rain and spring snow melts can wash away soil and mulch can decompose over time. Take a tour around your garden and identify spots that look bare. Then, spruce up your garden by replacing the mulch and refreshing the soil and other ground coverings where necessary.
5. Get Rid of Dead Plants
Before you can plant any new flowers in your garden, you need to clear out any plants left over from last year. While you do this, think about which plants you liked and which you’d like to replace with something different. Remember to remove dead vines and trim dead tree limbs and shrubs.
6. Clean Your Gutters and Check for Damage
Your gutters protect your central PA home from water, but they can’t do their job if they’re clogged or damaged. Cleaning your gutters in the spring can help ensure proper drainage throughout the year. Clear out leaves, bird’s nests, and other debris. Once you’re done cleaning, check for any damage that ice or snow may have caused over the winter. You should have any loose fasteners or sealant failures fixed as soon as possible to avoid damage to your home and landscaping and more expensive repairs down the line.
Call All Season Gutters for Help
Trying to clean your gutters yourself can be challenging and even dangerous. This spring, you may want to hire a professional to handle the task for you.
At All Season Gutters, we provide gutter cleaning and maintenance for homeowners in central PA. As a local, family-owned business with more than 13 years of experience, we can perform high-quality work to keep your gutters functioning as expected. Call 717-315-3810 for assistance or schedule a free estimate.