Photo by Wynand van Poortvliet on Unsplash
Spring is officially here! With all the excitement of the warm weather, it’s easy for homeowners to dive right into yard work and forget that there are certain things that need to be taken care of for our homes to be ready to tackle the warmer months ahead.
Here are our top 10 tips to get your home ready for spring!
Before the weather gets too warm, you should have your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) System inspected and maintained by a professional. This not only ensures that everything is running smoothly and effectively for the transition from heating to cooling, but helps keep those higher ticket items in your home well maintained and lasting as long as possible.
Heavy winter snow can take a toll on your roof and gutters. Inspect them for any damage, such as loose or missing shingles and clogged gutters. Making sure that they are in tip-top shape can help ensure that those spring and summer rains don’t cause any issues, such as leaking roofs or water pooling at your foundation.
Getting those smaller issues addressed quickly can help prevent bigger, more costly water damage.
Check for any drafts around your doors and windows. You may need to replace worn weather stripping, caulk gaps, or even realign doors to ensure that your home is as energy efficient as possible. Plus, this helps keep dust and bugs from making their way inside – keeping your home cleaner and pest-free!
Spring is a good time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors out to make sure that they are functioning properly. But even if you choose a different time of year, set yourself a reminder to check them at least once a year to keep your family and guests safe.
If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, have the chimney inspected and cleaned to remove any build-up of creosote from the use during fall and winter. Getting this done in the spring ensure that you don’t have to worry about trying to get it done before the weather turns cold and you’re wanting to use them. Not only does making sure these are clean help ensure that they are running at top efficiency, but it is critical to home safety.
Check your outdoor faucets, hoses, and irrigation systems for any sign of damage that may have been caused from freezing temperatures. You will also want to check your sprinklers to see if any of them need to be replaced.
Start preparing your lawn and garden for growing season by clearing away and weeds, debris, pruning trees and shrubs, and fertilizing as needed. This will help set the state for a lush, healthy landscape throughout the spring and summer.
Before you start using your lawn mower, edger, weed trimmer, or any other equipment, you should make sure that they are cleaned thoroughly and have them serviced if necessary. Sharp blades and well-maintained equipment make lawn care much easier and more enjoyable!
Sweep away debris, clean outdoor furniture, and inspect any outdoor structures like decks, patios, and fences for damages that may have occurred during the winter. If you notice any damages, make sure that they are added to your “To-Do List” sooner rather than later.
After doing all this, you will have a great idea of what needs to be replaced or repaired. You can prioritize your home improvement projects so you get the items that are a safety hazard done first before moving onto some of the more fun projects.
Taking a little time at the beginning of the season will help ensure that not only is your home ready for spring, but even prepared for summer as well!