Being a homeowner is rewarding in so many ways. You feel a sense of pride in ownership, comfort in making something your own, and you have total control over the choices you make for your home.
But with reward, comes responsibility!
Maintaining your home is a part of this responsibility and can sometimes seem like a never-ending list of to-dos. Seasonal home maintenance is particularly important not only to keep yourself aware of the condition of your home, but for preventative purposes.
A lot of what is done during seasonal maintenance is to prevent damage to areas of your home that might occur if left neglected.
And this time of year, means spring home maintenance. There’s a lot that can be done during the spring, when the daylight hours are longer, and the weather is more inviting.
While the list can be extensive, we are going to share 7 of our favorite essential spring home maintenance tips below to get you started.
1. Inspect Your Roof
Any extreme weather can wreak havoc on your roof, so check it for loose, broken, or missing shingles. A new roof is a big investment, so keeping it in working order is a smart choice.
2. Clean out Gutters and Downspouts
Check the walls around your gutters and downspouts for water damage that might indicate your gutter system isn’t working properly. Clean out all the gunk that accumulated over the fall and winter from your gutters to ensure they can keep rainwater flowing freely and directed away from your house.
3. Clean Windows and Check Seals
Check the caulk around your windows for dry, cracked, or missing caulk. If you see any issues, scrape the old caulk off before reapplying a fresh strip. Keeping your windows properly caulked ensures efficient insulation and energy usage and also protects from weather leaks.
After any repair work dries thoroughly, give your windows a good cleaning inside and outside. Remove and gently clean any screens and dry before reinserting. Windows can be wiped down with a glass cleaner or even vinegar and a squeegee or a soft cloth.
4. Prep Your Lawn
Clean up any leftover winter debris like leaves, twigs, or dead grass by raking. Fill in any bare or thin spots with seed. Depending on your lawn needs and location, you’ll probably want to apply a weed controller and a fertilizer to ensure a healthy growth.
This is also a good time to take inventory of your yard supplies and tune up your equipment, such as the lawn mower.
5. Have Your HVAC Serviced
While some HVAC maintenance, such as changing the air filter, can be done by you (and should be done on the regular to keep your unit running efficiently), it’s always a good idea to have a professional tune up to your AC before using it for the summer. This keeps it in tip-top condition and can help prevent costly repairs down the road.
6. Check Your Attic and Basement
Check your attic and basement for any smell or sign of must or mold. Look for leaks, water damage, or discoloration. This is also a good time to check your sump pump to make sure it’s running properly and for any leaks in piping. These areas can also be prone to insect infestations, so keep a close eye out for any signs of pests.
7. Spring Clean the Interior
This tip is the typical “spring cleaning” you think about when you hear those words – the deep cleaning you don’t typically do during your routine cleaning.
This includes wiping down walls, cabinets, and blinds, washing draperies, vacuuming behind appliances, steam cleaning carpets, cleaning any mold or mildew accumulation – pretty much anything you can do to remove dust, allergens, and mites and get your home as fresh as can be!
With a few weeks of time and some old-fashioned elbow grease, you should be able to tackle these spring maintenance tips to keep your home in good condition.
Remember, your home is an investment, and with any investment, you want to take care of it. A little bit of hard work every spring is worth it!