Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

The transition to spring from winter is always a welcome one over here. I enjoy the change of the smell in the air, the first few peeks at the warmer weather, and the thought of ending our hibernation. But let’s be real…I also dread spring cleaning. While you may be tempted to skip some of the smaller cleaning tasks, don’t neglect the big ones. They may not be the most fun way to spend your weekend, but being proactive will save yourself some serious time and money later. Here’s a list of the things you need to pay attention to this spring.

INSPECT THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOME

Take a walk around the exterior of the home, and check for paint chips, holes, or anything that may need to be patched. Check the roof for damage and have someone examine the chimney if you have one. It would also be a good time to get the flue cleaned by a certified chimney sweep so it’s ready for the winter.

CHECK YOUR DETECTORS

You should have done this when you turned your clocks ahead (ahem), but just in case you didn’t get around to it…Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure your fire extinguisher (if you don’t have one, go get one) is in working order.

PREP YOUR YARD

Summer will be here before you know it. get your backyard in party shape by pulling weeds, cleaning the deck, taking inventory of garden tools, rinse off outdoor furniture. Make a list of all the things you will need to replace so you can buy a few things over time, instead of all at once.

CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS

I know it feels like you just did this, but you need to get rid of leaves and debris from the previous season and make sure nothing is clogging your gutters so water can flow freely.

CHECK THE ATTIC AND BASEMENT

You are looking for two things: mold and pests. For mold, look for visible growth, usually black or green spots. Or you can do the good ol’ sniff test—mold has that lovely damp musty smell. As for the pests, be on the lookout for physical damage to the walls or furnishings, or if you happen to see any droppings. Call in the experts if you suspect a problem.

CLEAN AND SERVICE YOUR AC

Better to make sure your air conditioner is in working condition now, than waiting until it’s a balmy 90 degrees with 100 percent humidity. Filters should be changed on a regular basis, if you aren’t doing this, you need to start. If you don’t feel comfortable cleaning and servicing your unit, then call a qualified heating and cooling contractor.

CHECK WINDOWS AND DOORS

Now that your AC is in perfect working condition, you don’t want to let all that nice cool air out do you? I didn’t think so. Check around all doors and windows to see if you can feel a stream of air, then seal them accordingly.

CLEAN YOUR CARPETS

Even if your family and your guests were on their best behavior through the winter and removed your shoes, it’s nice to start fresh and clean for spring. Wash away all the snow, mud, and stale air that you inevitably brought in.