After a long winter season, spring’s warm winds and bright sun are a breath of fresh air. Although abit of sunshine is much appreciated, spring also brings cracked sidewalks, leaf-filled gutters and dead plants from the previous year’s flower beds.
A little DIY home maintenance can spare you from spring’s troubles. You don’t need an expert landscaper, roof cleaner or electrician in Utah to maintain your home. Also, you don’t have to wait for the next few weekends to do some spring cleaning and maintenance.
This spring, do more than just throw open the windows and clean your closets. Give your home, the exterior and interior, a good once-over, too.
Inside of Your Home
HVAC Systems
If your home has a central heating and cooling system, schedule a bi-annual checkup and service with your local HVAC technician. A professional can thoroughly check the ductwork for signs of damage, as well as service and clean your A/C compressor and furnace. Have them clean the bathroom vents, too.
Plumbing
Give your pipes some TLC by checking under the sink to make sure that there are no leaks. Next, check your ceilings for signs of water stains, which is an indication of a leak in the wall. Check the flapper in the tank of your toilet to make sure it’s in good condition, as well as the faucet for drips.
If you can fix these concerns yourself, go ahead. Otherwise, call a plumber.
Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Prevent serious fire-related damages at home with working smoke detectors. According to the US Fire Administration, you should change the batteries on your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors once a year. Also, consider upgrading your detectors to smart detectors that are linked throughout your house. These smart detectors can give voice alerts in case of an emergency.
Chimney
Even if you don’t regularly use the fireplace, your chimney still requires regular checkups. Your home’s chimney carries dangerous gases from your furnace, wood stove or fireplace out of your home, keeping the air inside of your home breathable.
Inspect your chimney annually and periodically clean it, depending on how often you use it.
The Outside of Your Home
Inspect
Walk outside of your home and check if there are cracks in the concrete. Is your driveway also in good condition? Also, check the roof for signs of broken or loose shingles. Look up at your chimney for signs of wear and tear. Finally, check the foundation and façade for signs of water pooling. Don’t forget to remove the items littered around your backyard, like strong cardboard, discarded furniture, etc.
The Gutter
Your gutters control the rainwater flowing from your home, which protects your siding, foundation and roof. A clogged gutter causes water to infiltrate your house or the roof to leak. Instead of dealing with these problems, clean your gutters at least twice a year (or more frequently, depending on how many trees surround your home).
If you want to clean the gutter yourself, be careful with using the ladder. You can also hire a professional gutter cleaner to do the job for you.
Paint
Exterior painting does more than give your home color; it also protects your shingles from rot and water damage. Look for signs of chipping or peeling paint. See if your walls need a fresh coat or a touch-up. If you want to repaint your home, hire a professional in the spring, so they can finish the work by the end of the summer.
Give Your House a “Bath”
Spring is the best time to scrub down your home to wash the dirt of winter. Take off your storm windows and wash them inside and out.
Free your home from grime by cleaning it. Here’s how to properly clean your home’s exterior:
- Close all the doors and windows. Cover the hedges and grounds with plastic sheeting.
- Power washers are good but they aren’t necessary. They can cause damage to your masonry or siding, depending on your building materials. Your trusty garden hose will do.
- Connect your hose to a siding cleaning kit and start cleaning.
- Spot clean soiled areas. Avoid using detergent since it can harm your plants.
Your Grounds
Spring Cleanup
Start cleaning outside by raking up the remaining leaves that survived the winter. Lay down the mulch beneath the hedges and in your flowerbeds. The mulch will keep the weeds at bay, as well as protect your plants from the drought.
As for your lawn, reseed them to fill in the bald patches before the summer heat arrives. Plant your perennials and water them regularly. When your grass turns bright green later in spring, fertilize the lawn.
Keep this checklist handy as you welcome spring with some home maintenance and cleaning and tasks!
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