Spring is finally here, we can officially say goodbye to those dark, cold days and start to enjoy the warmer weather that we’ve been waiting all winter for. Spring is the ideal time to get to work on your outdoor chores and home maintenance so that when the summer heat hits you can sit back and enjoy all your hard work. Here are my top ten spring home maintenance tasks that I like to get to work on as soon as the snow is gone.
Check Outdoor Faucets & Sprinklers: Check all your outdoor hose faucets for freeze damage. Turn the water on and place your thumb over the opening of the faucet, if there is no water flow or you can stop the flow completely, the pipe inside your home may be damaged and will need to be replaced.
Don’t forget to check your sprinklers - make sure you inspect each individual valve for damage before slowly turning on the water at the main valve. Opening the water too quickly can create a rush of water potentially damaging the pipes or valves.
Clean Out Recycling & Garbage Containers: Now that you’ve turned on the water and checked your outdoor faucets, you can clean and rinse your green bin, recycling, and garbage containers. You want to clean these out a few times a year and spring is the perfect time to get a good deep clean before it gets too hot.
Wash Windows: Dirty windows are one of those things that a homeowner can easily grow accustomed to. Washing your windows inside and out each spring will not only brighten up your home letting more natural light in, but it also increases the windows longevity. When dirt and contaminants are left on windows, over time, they can wear down the glass leading to cracks.
Yard Clean Up: It’s not only satisfying to get rid of all the dead plant material from your yard but it’s also important for the plant’s health. Matted leaves and debris can potentially smother the emerging plants. In your flower beds, clear out weeds, mulch, and debris and do a cleaning of the area removing anything in the way until you are back to bare soil.
Cutting back dead or damaged branches on trees and shrubs is also an important part of yard clean up. Pruning and trimming can help to promote healthy growth and prevent disease or pests from spreading. Research your perennials, trees & shrubs to choose the best time to trim or prune them so you don’t damage new growth.
Lawn Care: Now is the time to rake, seed and fertilize your lawn if you want it to be green once summer hits. Raking is an important step to clear leaves, sticks and debris from the lawn to promote healthy growth and reduces the risk of disease or pests. The next step is to fertilize and reseed. Make sure you watch the weather forecast and get these tasks done right before a rainy period.
Examine Roof: Examine your roof shingles for any missing, cracked, or damaged shingles. Depending on what you find, you may need to have a roofer come and patch or replace the roof. If only a few shingles are damaged, you may be able to have the roof patched but if several are affected it’s time to consider replacing them all.
Check & Clean Gutters: Over time, gutters can become clogged with leaves, branches, and other debris, which can prevent water from flowing freely and cause water to over flow and damage your roof, siding, and foundation. Check your gutters for any damage or leaks; the downspouts should drain away from the foundation and be free of debris.
Check Your Cooling System: Service your AC unit annually to minimize the risk of issues when you really need it in the middle of summer. Have a technician come out to clean and service the outside unit and make sure you change your air filters regularly.
Repair Screens: Repairing your window and door screens now to keep bugs out later is an absolute must. If you removed your window screens for winter, check them for any tears or holes before you put them back in the windows. The screens in your doors are exposed to snow and ice during the winter so check for damage to the screen and to the tracks if they are on a sliding door. Screens are easily fixed if the holes are small but if you notice tears along the edges they may need to be replaced.
Check Power Equipment: Start by inspecting the equipment visually for any cracks, dents, or broken parts. Inspect the blades on your mower or hedge trimmer; if they are dull or damaged, sharpen or replace them. Check the oil and fuel levels and top them off as needed, and fully charge any battery powered equipment. Test each tool by starting it up for a few minutes to make sure it’s running properly.
