The Ultimate Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
Spring is the perfect time to straighten up your living space in South Central Pennsylvania because of the pleasant weather. If you’re preparing for spring cleaning, you might be wondering what tasks to tackle first on your to-do list. Use these home maintenance tips for spring to help you figure out which projects you should complete this season.
Spring Maintenance for Outside of the Home
Take advantage of the warmer weather by completing your outdoor spring house projects. Consider the following chores you need to do in your front and backyard to get ready for spring and summer.
1. Inspect Your Roof Shingles
A sturdy roof protects your house against the elements, and it enhances the curb appeal and energy-efficiency of your living space. In the winter, the snow and wind could place a burden on your roof and bring unwanted moisture into your house. Schedule an inspection with a local professional to have your roof inspected for cracks or missing shingles.
2. Clean Out Your Gutters
Debris inside your gutters could clog the flow of water out of the downspout. Before the spring rains come and mosquitoes start swarming, call a service professional to remove the debris from your gutters and wipe them to keep the spring and summer rains away from your house. Having your gutters cleaned prevents water damage and extends the lifespan of your roof.
3. Install New Seamless Gutters
Gutters direct rainwater away from the house and block moisture damage to your basement, foundation, and landscaping. You should inspect your gutters in the spring to make sure the snow didn’t bend or break them. Check the area around your gutters for cracks and mold to figure out if you need to replace them. Consider upgrading to seamless gutters to guard against leaks and increase your home’s curb appeal.
4. Put in Gutter Guards
To make cleaning your gutters easier each year, consider installing gutter guards. These attachments enhance the efficiency of your draining system by keeping out debris that could clog the downspout. By adding gutter guards to your house, you could further prohibit moisture from chipping the paint or growing mold.
5. Replace Fascia and Soffit
When inspecting the roof shingles and the gutters, you should also check the fascia and soffit. These components in your roof give a finished look to your home and keep out rodents. You’ll find the soffit under the rafter tails and the fascia at the end of the rafters. If you need to replace the roof, get new soffit and fascia to change the appearance of your home and keep moisture out of your living space.
6. Fill in Low Spots in the Yard
The heavy spring rain could flood the depressions in your yard, inviting mosquitoes and other insects to your property. Having an uneven yard also creates a safety hazard as you cut the grass or walk over it. To level out your yard, fill in low spots in the lawn with a mixture of soil and sand, and reseed the grass.
7. Inspect the Driveway and Concrete Slabs for Cracking
Water thawing and freezing on your concrete driveway or patio could create fractures in the surface. After the snow has thawed from the winter, check your outdoor property for movement or cracks. Fill any gaps you find with a concrete filler or a silicone caulk, and add a protective sealant over the surface. Contact a local professional if you need to replace the whole concrete slab.
8. Repaint the Exterior of Your Home
Add a fresh coat of paint to the siding to increase your home’s curb appeal, especially if you notice chips on the siding. If you had a plan to repaint your home’s exterior, spring is the perfect time because of the pleasant weather and the extra sunlight throughout the day. Walk around your block or search online to get some color ideas from your neighbors’ homes, and invest in high-quality, eco-friendly paint.
9. Check Sprinkler and Irrigation Systems
After the snow burying your sprinklers has melted, turn on, and inspect your irrigation system for cracks or inconsistent flow of water. Adjust any sprinkler heads that spray the house to prevent moisture from deteriorating your living space. Call a local irrigation company to perform this inspection and make the necessary repairs if you don’t feel comfortable fixing your sprinklers yourself.
10. Check Your Outdoor Faucets for Freeze Damage
Your outdoor faucets could freeze in the cold winter and clog your home’s piping system. In the spring, check for frozen pipes by turning on the tap and putting your thumb over the opening. If your finger stops the water, call a plumber to repair or replace the faucet components.
11. Inspect Your Power Equipment
Before cutting the grass and take care of your garden, inspect your power equipment for loose or broken parts. If you winterized your lawnmower and weed whacker, get them ready to use again during the warm months.
Check the instruction manuals for all the equipment to find out what you need to do to care for them. Clean your battery- and gas-powered equipment and sharpen the cutting blades to keep them working throughout the summer. You should also fill them with gas or charge their batteries, depending on their power source.
12. Get Your Pool Opened and Cleaned
You should open your pool in the spring to get rid of the algae before you’re ready to use it in the summer. Start by clearing the debris off your pool cover and uncovering the pool. After filling it, turn on the pool and shock the water to remove bacteria. Brush and vacuum the crevices near the steps, lights, and ladders. Throughout the season, clean the bugs and leaves out of the pool and run the filtration system overnight.
13. Wash Exterior Windows
Clean the grime from your exterior windows with a wiper, mild soap, and water to keep up your home’s appearance. You could also hire a professional window cleaning service if you don’t feel comfortable cleaning the windows on your second floor. As you wash the exterior windows, check the trim for cracks or drafts and recaulk accordingly.
14. Check Foundation Vents
If your house has a crawl space, the foundation vents maintain proper air circulation and keep out moisture and unwanted pests. Clean the foundation vents from leaves and other debris with a shop vacuum. Check the vents for debris, which blocks airflow, or rips in the screens, which could invite rodents and insects into your crawl space.
15. Clean the Grill
Before you host that summer barbecue, clear the dust off your grill from the fall and winter. Inspect the parts of the cooking equipment for worn-out or broken components, and contact the manufacturer if you need a replacement. Use a can of compressed air to remove leaves and insects from inside the grill. Remove black carbon flakes from the lid with a hard-bristled brush. Remove and clean each piece to provide a functional grill for your summer parties.
16. Prep the Garden
Before you’re ready to work in your garden this spring, prepare the soil and garden beds for your plants. Remove the dead leaves and weeds from the soil to give your plants a clean place to grow. Add soil nutrients and weed control a couple of weeks before planting your seeds. You should also clean your gardening tools to prevent bugs and diseases from infecting your vegetation.
17. Trim, Mulch, and Plant Flower Beds
Trim the trees and bushes in your front and backyard to grow healthy plants this spring and summer. Keep greenery away from the foundation of the home and the outdoor AC condenser unit. Cut back the bushes so you can walk around the yard without worrying about getting scratched by the rough branches. Use a thick layer mulch to help control the weeds and bring out the natural color of your flowers.
18. Clean Outdoor Furniture
Use a mild detergent, a bucket of warm water, a microfiber cloth, and a soft-bristled brush to get the soil and grime off of your outdoor furniture. Clean the patio cushions with a commercial or DIY cleaner, or throw the pillows in the washing machine if they fit. For easier maintenance, consider investing in a cover to keep your furniture secure throughout the year.
19. Stain the Deck
Enhance the appearance of your home after the snow has thawed by staining your discolored deck. Sealing your wood decking will help it withstand UV rays and moisture exposure all summer long. Since moisture could warp or discolor your decking material, wait until the weather is warm and sunny so the sealant can dry quickly.
20. Inspect and Reseal Exposed Wood
Wood trim, decks, and fences need resealing to maintain their appearance and durability. As you straighten up your wooden furniture and decorations, inspect for warping or rotting pieces. You should also guard your wooden belongings against termites by keeping moisture and firewood away from the house and setting bait traps.
21. Clean the Siding
Depending on your siding material, you might see mold, algae, or other debris on your house after a moist, snowy winter. Use a garden hose and a brush with a mild detergent to make your siding look brand new. If you have stubborn mold or mildew on your house, you could power wash the siding. When using a power washer on vinyl siding, be sure to spray at an angle to avoid ripping up the panels.
Spring To-Do List Around the House
When you’ve finished cleaning outside, you could focus your attention on the interior of your home. Besides cleaning your house, you should also prepare your indoor cooling equipment for the warm summer heat to save money on your energy bills. Here are some spring house projects to improve your inside living space.
1. Have Your AC Unit Inspected
After collecting dust in the winter, your air conditioner will need an inspection and cleaning to improve the air quality inside your home. Call your local HVAC professional to inspect both the interior and exterior units of your cooling system. Replace the AC filters and any broken parts in the spring to prolong the life of your AC unit and keep you cool this summer.
2. Switch the Direction of Your Ceiling Fans
Some homeowners rotate the blades in the winter to circulate warm air from the furnace. As the temperature rises, you’ll want to change the direction of your ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise in the spring, so they circulate cold air throughout your living space.
3. Inspect the Screens in Your Doors and Windows
Screens on your windows and doors allow fresh air to come inside your house while keeping harmful bugs outside. Harsh weather conditions or the claws of pets could rip holes in these protective covers. Before you open your windows to let in the spring breeze, inspect your screens for tears, and repair them as necessary. Clean them from grime or debris that could’ve collected from precipitation, snow, and rain.
4. Test Smoke Alarms
Smoke could be a threat to the respiratory health of your family, and fire could destroy your property. Test your smoke detectors at least once a month by pressing the button on the unit. If one of your smoke alarms need a battery replacement, you might hear a steady beep coming from it. Take the detectors down to find out what type of batteries you need, and replace them as soon as possible.
5. Flush Your Water Heater
Draining out your water heater at least once a year could extend the life of your tank. Check the owner’s manual or research online to find out how to take care of your water heater. You could also call a local professional to flush your water heater for you.
6. Inspect the Attic and Basement for Water Damage
If you have an unfinished basement or attic, you may neglect it to care for the finished areas of your home. However, you should inspect your attic and basement at least once a year for moisture or structural damage. If you see any mold or cracks in the foundation, repair the issue immediately.
7. Deep Clean the Inside of Your Home
In the spring, deep clean the surfaces and components of the whole house to get rid of dust and other allergens hidden throughout your property. Scrub the walls, outlet covers, and baseboards with mild soap and water to remove the dust and other debris that may have collected in the winter. Pull your refrigerator away from the wall and vacuum behind it to increase air circulation and lower the temperature of the coils. Clean the faucets and showerheads with water and vinegar to remove hard water deposits.
Contact All Season Gutters to Get Your Gutters Ready for Spring
To prevent moisture and mold in your home, contact All Season Gutters to get your gutters ready for the spring in South Central Pennsylvania. We also offer roofing services to increase your home’s curb appeal and protect your property from the elements. Call 717-315-3810 for more information about getting your house ready for spring.