Spring has sprung and it’s time to dust off your home’s annual home maintenance. As most of us are eager to toss the sweaters in the winter box and open the windows, consider giving your home some love. Spring is a great time to give your home a once over, inside and outside. Follow our to-do list and keep your home in check.
Sweep or blow off your patios and decks to clear any debris from under furniture or flower pots. Rake up any remaining leaves that are on the ground from winter. Spring is a time of rain and wet leaves can cause rot around lawns and bushes.
If you plan on hiring a lawn service to maintain your property now is the time to call the service provider. On the other hand, if you are planning on maintaining your lawn on your own, now is the time to pull out the lawn mower. Give it a tune up. Send it out to a small repair shop to sharpen the blades and change the spark plugs.
Take a look at your lawn. Now is the time to lay any insect control. Insects are waiting to pop up out of the ground and stretch their wings and lay eggs. Controlling invasions now will set your lawn up for a greener, healthier life. A healthy lawn is a happy lawn that your neighbor’s will envy.
It’s time to break out the grass seed and give your lawn an all over boost before the summer heat comes. Yes, your grass is still dormant but you will be giving it vitamins and nutrients from new grass seeds. Your lawn will thank you by producing a lush green later in the month when it comes out of dormancy. There is no need to fertilize now, wait until late spring to do that.
Prune any plants or bushes to remove winter wilt. This allows the start of new spring growth when it comes to perennials and bushes. Laying down a thin layer of mulch in your flower beds will protect plants and bushes from drought. It will also keep weeds at bay. Now is the time to lay, spray, or pull any weeds that have popped up. Get them now before their roots have spread throughout your beds.
If your property has trees, have them inspected by a professional certified arborist. They can check for signs of illness or dead branches and catch problems before it’s too late. Dying trees poses a safety hazard to you, your home, and neighboring properties.
Inspect. Walk around the outside of the house. Is there any damage to the exterior of your home like cracks or signs of water pooling? Are there cracks in the concrete/driveway? Check the roof for signs of loose or broken shingles. Look up at the chimney for signs of wear.
Look around your decks and patio for any damage to wood or beams. Do not put off fixing any damage. Take care of it now while it’s fresh in your mind. If there is a layer of grime on the deck then break out the pressure washer and get to work.
Gutters. Hire a professional gutter cleaner or do it yourself. Your gutters control the flow of rainwater on your house. They protect your roof, siding and foundation. Clogged gutters can cause a roof to leak or water to infiltrate your house.
Faucets: Turn your outside faucets back on and check for any damage. Test out your garden hoses to make sure that you haven’t sprung any leaks.
Paint. Look for signs of peeling or chipping paint. You may need a touch-up. If you plan to hire a professional, schedule the job in the spring.
Pool. If you own a pool, it’s time to open it back up again and get it ready for the summer. Treat the water. Check and change valves and filters, and inspect all the equipment to make sure it’s in proper working order.
HVAC systems. For homes with central heat and air, call an HVAC technician to get a check up. They will tune up your system and change the air filters and check the ductwork for any signs of damage.
Plumbing. Check under the bathroom and kitchen to make sure there are no signs of leaks. Look up at your ceilings for any water stains or leaks. Fix what you can yourself and call a plumber for the other needed repairs.
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Change the batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors once a year. Safety first.
Catching small problems before they become big problems is key. Creating a three ring binder and keeping a running tally of what projects you need to tackle and help you prepare. You’ll discover which ones are completed and which ones you still need to complete. This will help you properly budget for maintenance and repairs of your new home as it ages.
Finally, here are just a few quick tips in our maintenance guide that can be downloaded. It will five you a better idea for logging and keeping track of your home maintenance and repair records.
VIEW CHECKLIST & MAINTENANCE GUIDE
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