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Spring is in the air and we are coming out from hibernation! This time of year always makes us feel motivated to take up projects around the house. If you are a homeowner, chances are there are a few post-winter tune-ups your house needs, as well. No worries, we are here to help. Check out our spring home maintenance guidelines with ideas and resources on what you can do yourself.
Check Your Roof
Once the last snow melts and all the ice thaws, it’s a good idea to check your roof and make sure the weight of winter weather didn’t put too much strain on your tiles and ceiling. The last thing you want is for April showers to turn into a costly May bill for roof repairs. Repairing shingles ahead of time can help prevent a more serious problem down the line.
On a warm and dry day, get up on your roof and look for signs of roof damage including:
- Missing or broken shingles
- Rust spots or cracked caulk on the flashing
- Buckling, curling, or blistering shingles
- Worn and cracked rubber boots around the vent pipes
- Signs of decay including masses of lichen and moss
- Piles of grit from asphalt roof tiles
Furthermore, don’t neglect to look for signs of damage inside the house. Dark areas on the ceiling, peeling paint on the underside of roof overhangs, damp spots, and water stains are all warning signs that something may be wrong with your roof.
Cleaning and Repairing Gutters
Since cleaning your gutters isn’t really a cold weather activity, there are likely months of dead leaves and debris built-up in your home’s system. To clean your gutters, use a ladder to get on their level and scoop out the gunk inside. The dead material is perfect for compost, if you have a pile going. While you are up there, check screws, spikes, and rivets and make sure your gutters are secure enough to use a pressure washer on them. Check for holes and cracked caulking in the seams. You can use a utility knife to scrape off old caulking then after waiting for the area to dry, apply bead silicon sealing to prevent further leaks through the seams.
Tree Care and Maintenance
Trees add value to your property and help lower your utility bills. The least you can do in return is a quick inspection to ensure they stay healthy through the season. Look for frost damage and prune out any signs of harm inflicted by a harsh winter. If the mulch rings are less than two inches thick, add more to the area. Look for signs of pest activity and avoid using herbicides near trees if using them in your spring lawn maintenance. Now is also a good time to fertilize your trees as a way to replenish nutritional stores used up over the winter.
Spring Cleaning
You’ve done well taking care of the outside of you’re home, but you can’t forget the ever-so-popular spring cleaning. As the days grow longer, the increase of light tends to highlight all the dust and marks that accumulate up over the lazy winter months. To make spring cleaning easier, organize your to-do list into accomplishable tasks and pledge to get one or two done a day.
- Clean the baseboards
- Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Clean behind major appliances
- Declutter cabinets
- Disinfect dishwasher
- Clean mattresses
- Remove scuff marks from doors
- Polish windows
- Scrub bathroom grout
- Condition leather furniture
- Shampoo carpets
- Change air filters
- Clean air vents
- Deep clean floors
- Shake out rugs
- Polish wood furniture
- Vacuum under furniture
- Unclog slow drain
The arrival of warmer weather means it is time for spring home maintenance. Checking your roof for early signs of damage can prevent costly repairs in the future. Cleaning out your gutters prepares them for heavy April showers. Look for signs of cold weather damage and fertilize your trees to help them recover from weather famine. Finally, take care of the inside of your house by breaking up your spring cleaning chores into a few accomplishable tasks you can complete each day.
