Spring Maintenance Checklist Every Homeowner Should Know

The arrival of spring brings a long needed opportunity for a fresh start, your home being no exception. Warmer temperatures and sunshine call for what has now become almost synonymous with spring – cleaning. This is the perfect time to get to work on the areas of your home that you neglected due to the cold winter months, so you can enjoy the warmer seasons after a thorough cleaning spree. From the details in the interior of your home to the outdoor areas, here are things to check off from your spring maintenance list.

Interior Maintenance

The indoors of your home need special attention when it comes to cleaning. It is, after all, the place where we spend most of our time during the colder months. Here are some of the main things to consider when it comes to interior home cleaning:

Vacuum rugs & floors

The biggest areas to clean start with floors and rugs. These will need to be thoroughly vacuumed together with rugs, so we recommend renting a carpet cleaner if needed. After vacuuming, mop the floors for cleaning any additional dust and grime.

Wipe walls & ceilings

Often neglected parts of the interior, walls, baseboards, the ceiling, door ceilings, and doors should all be cleaned from time to time. Sweep these with a broom or vacuum cleaner first to get rid of any dust, and then you can clean them with melamine foam squares or a rag soaked in warm, soapy water.

Clean windows & screens

Your window and screens have withstood days of rain, snow, and windy weather, so now it is time to take proper care of them through cleaning them inside and out. If you have draperies, you will want to remove dust with a vacuum cleaner or machine wash them at a gentle cycle for a thorough cleaning.

Inspect air conditioning

The air conditioning units, your best friend during the warmer temperatures of the months to come, will need to be inspected as well. The filters will need to be changed, as well as you will want to check the hose for possible leaks and to make sure that the air condensate is draining properly through the drain pan.

Inspect basement & attic

The basement and attic are both areas of the house that are prone to dampness and damage. For your regular spring maintenance inspection you will want to check for signs of poor ventilation such as mold, condensation, and rust. Check for water leaks and stains such as rot and mold as well. Further you will want to check for pests and insects, since, if present, they can cause damage to the wood and insulation.

Outdoor Maintenance

Spring and summer signify the arrival of time spent outdoors, which means it’s time to get to work on maintaining the exterior of your home as well. Further we have listed your outdoor maintenance checklist:

Clean deck & patio

Regardless of the material of your deck and patio, you should clean these areas of your home’s exterior annually in order to extend their life. Sweep these areas with a broom to remove dust, debris, and fallen leaves. If they are made of wood, check for splintered or missing boards, and if the wood has started to fade it should be cleaned, stained, and resealed.

Inspect roof & chimneys

Unless a thorough inspection must be performed after major damage, you can generally inspect the roof and chimney from afar without having to climb up there. With a pair of binoculars, check if there are any missing shingles, cracked ones, shingles that have shifted, or so called nail-pops (when nails push the shingle tabs up and allow water to come through). 

For the chimney you will want to check if the bricks are intact and if there are cracked or missing ones. You may also need to consider re-sealing the chimney masonry with a water-resistant material if you find vegetation or efflorescence between the stones.

Clean gutters & downspouts

Gutters play an important role in protecting the house’s foundation and preventing erosion, therefore it is important to properly maintain and clean them. Before cleaning, inspect the gutters and downspouts for signs of corrosion. Holes, leaking joints, and gutter hangers that are loosened, missing, or bent must be repaired. After inspecting possible problems, scoop or blow out any debris with a vacuuming tool, and then flush them with water.

Maintain garden & lawn

The garden and lawn will primarily need a general cleaning to get rid of plant debris, fallen leaves and branches. After you have raked these for any leftovers of the colder seasons, it is now time to prepare your garden and lawn for spring by making sure that the water systems – pipes, faucets, and in-ground sprinkler – are working properly. Then, prepare new garden beds for new plants and check if your hand tools and equipment need repairing. If you are an avid gardener, you may want to invest in a new pair of clogs or other gardening shoes to keep you comfortable as well.

The spring maintenance list can go on and on, however these are some of the major cleaning activities to check off your list so your home is clean and ready for the warmer months. A well-maintained house cuts off major repair costs in the long run, so don’t underestimate the power of proper spring maintenance.

About The Author: Elias Parsons is an LA-based Digital Marketing Specialist who works with Workwear Guru to inform, educate and help readers through engaging content pieces.

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