The world (or at least the top half of it) is slowly waking up from winter. While it might still be a touch rainy and miserable for many of us, the days are getting longer, the cold is retreating, and signs of life are about to start popping up everywhere again. With the turn of the seasons, it’s always a good idea to consider what you can do to make sure that your home is ready for it, and here, we’re looking at how you wake it up and refresh it in time for spring.
Inspect The Roof And Clean The Gutters
Start with the top of the home, first and foremost. Winter weather, and especially storms, can leave lingering damage on your roof that you should check for. Looking for curling or cracking shingles, or any loose flashings or other components on your roof, either by climbing up yourself, if it’s safe, or arranging for a professional inspection. Making the necessary fixes now can prevent leaks from forming during the spring rains. For the same reason, be sure to check and clean your gutters and downspouts of any leaves, twigs, and other debris to make sure that your drainage is working properly.
Ready Up Your AC
You might not have been using it as much in the cold weather, but you’re going to want your AC to be working effectively as the days get warmer. Old air filters and debris through the units can worsen air quality and make your appliances less efficient, even causing them to malfunction. If you have a standalone unit, ductless AC repair is every bit as important, though even easier to stay on top of since you don’t have to worry about how they connect with the rest of the home. Professional servicing can find small issues before they become more expensive breakdowns, making sure that your AC is in good health, especially leading up to those demanding summers.
Check Window And Door Seals
As we move from colder to milder temperatures, or even some warm days along the way, the swings in temperature can cause the caulking and weatherstripping around your windows and doors to crack or loosen. Check each of them for gaps or peeling, and test them for drafts. Even though you might not be worried about cold winter air anymore, worn seals can force your AC to work harder to maintain your ideal indoor environment, and can allow moisture to slowly infiltrate, where it can do a lot of damage over time. Sliding doors and threshold areas are the two most in need of your attention, as they tend to experience more wear and tear than the rest.
Test Your Sump Pump
Spring can bring plenty of showers with it, so any lingering issues with your sump pump can get exposed. Rather than waiting for it to get flooded by some seasonal rains, you should test it out by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit, making sure that the pump drains it effectively. Keep an eye out for unusual noises or a delay in drainage, which could indicate a blockage somewhere in the system. Then, look at your discharge pipe to make sure that the water is being smoothly taken away from the foundation and dumped in the appropriate place. Any issues with your sump pump can lead to a basement flood and costly repairs, so a little test now is well worth it.
Check The Smoke And CO Detectors
While fire and carbon monoxide remain a risk at any time of the year, it’s a good opportunity and excuse to make the necessary safety checks. You should replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms once a year, even if they haven’t started chirping. Then, press the test button to make sure that they’re functioning properly. It’s also a good chance to gently vacuum around the vents to make sure dust isn’t affecting the sensors. If your alarms and detectors are getting around a decade old, it might be time to consider replacing them as well. Knowing that these alarms are working is vital for having any kind of peace of mind in your home.
See What Kind Of Tidy Your Exterior Needs
Over the fall and winter, you might not get out to maintain and tidy the exterior of your home and your landscaping as much as you might like. As such, now it’s time to walk around it and to survey your property from the outside. Trim back shrubs and tree branches that touch the home to prevent pest access and moisture retention. Look at the hardscaping, as well, checking for signs of cracks, loose boards, or any damage to your siding, brick, decks, and driveways. You might need to make some repairs if the freeze and thaw cycle has exacerbated any minor issues. Pressure wash those surfaces to remove grime and mildew buildup, as well.
Time For A Spring Clean
It’s also the perfect time to clean indoors. Longer days and natural light are going to expose the bits that have become dusty or faded under your nose, and a thorough seasonal clean can refresh the whole space, as well as eliminate allergens and improve air quality. Be sure to pay extra attention to ceiling fans, vents, and baseboards, where dust and debris may have been gathering without you really noticing. As you’re going to be using the AC and opening windows more often to ensure good airflow, ensuring that the home isn’t overly dusty is going to help prevent unnecessary stress to the systems that help maintain that airflow.
Putting in the work to ready your home for spring early is going to make it a lot easier to maintain for the months ahead, and make sure that everything is functioning as it needs to be. Aside from that, it’s a good idea to simply make the checks and little fixes now that can prevent more expensive repairs later.
A penny for your thoughts?