Now that the weather is warming up, you’re probably looking forward to doing some yard work and getting ready to spend some time outside. Spring is also a great time to check in with your home and be sure everything is working properly. Here are a few tasks you should take care of this spring.
OUTDOORS
Check the gutters
One of the most important things you can do this spring is get up on a ladder and check your gutters. Gutters protect your home from water damage, so clogged or loose gutters can wreak havoc on your home – before you realize it’s happening. Ensure the gutters are cleared and the downspouts are unobstructed and pointed away from your home.
Inspect the roof
Winter weather can cause damage to your roof, so before the summer sun beats down on it and compounds the damage, inspect it now. If you’re not too eager to climb up on a ladder to take a look, a set of binoculars will work just fine. You’ll want to note any shingles that are broken, missing or curling up and call a professional to replace them. If you don’t replace damaged shingles when you find them, you’re opening your home up to water damage during the next storm.
Examine the foundation
Take a walk around your house and inspect the foundation for cracks. You can use concrete filler or silicone caulk to fill in cracks, but this isn’t a permanent fix. Hire a professional to fill and seal these cracks for a long-term solution.
Reseal woodwork
To keep wood decks, fences, railings and other exterior woodwork in prime condition, reseal every 1 to 2 years. Before starting on this, check for loose nails, warping or loose boards and make any necessary repairs. It’s a good idea to clean the woodwork too; a pressure washer is perfect for this and you can rent one from a local home improvement center.
Service lawn equipment
You’ll want to make sure your lawn mower and other lawn equipment are in prime operating condition. Drain old gas or oil from the equipment, refill it with new gas or oil and replace the air filter. Depending on the condition of the blades, you could have them sharpened or replaced to increase efficiency for the upcoming season.
Inspect the windows and doors
Windows and doors that aren’t sealed properly will let the outside elements into your home. This is a problem in any season, but the winter weather can damage the caulk and weather seals, so spring is a good time to fix it. Take a look at all windows and doors and repair or replace the seals where needed. Additionally, inspect all screens for tears and holes before putting them up for the season. You can use an at-home repair kit to patch them so the bugs will stay outside.
INDOORS
Replace smoke detector batteries
While it’s a good idea to change your smoke detector batteries at the same time you move the clocks forward and back, if you didn’t do that this year, add it to your spring “To-Do” list. It’s a matter of life or death, so give yourself peace of mind and replace them now.
Examine air conditioning units
When taking air conditioners out of storage, give them a once-over. Change the filter, check hose connections and vacuum any dust that has accumulated from storage or past use.
If you have central air with an exterior unit, you should change the filters each year. It’s also a good idea to hire a professional to service the exterior unit. This will keep the air conditioning operating efficiently because the last thing you want is the air conditioning to falter in the middle of July!
Clean the dryer vent
You know to clean the lint trap after every load that goes through the dryer, but when is the last time you cleaned out the dryer vent? In addition to saving you money by reducing drying time, it could save your life – or at the very least – your home. A clogged dryer vent is one of the leading causes of home fires.
Did you check everything off the list? Now throw some burgers on the grill and enjoy the beautiful spring weather!