Time to Start your Spring Home Maintenance!
Spring cleaning is an essential part of keeping the household running efficiently. All the dirt and grime that built up over the winter months is washed away as you prepare for summer fun. While cleaning the windows and wiping down walls is common, here are a few more items that you must add to your cleaning and spring home maintenance list.
1. Tune-Up The Lawn Mower
Before you know it, you will be mowing your grass again. Your lawn mower requires routine maintenance. Change the spark plugs, check the oil, and make sure that it’s running efficiently. The last thing you need is your lawn mower to break down in the middle of the season. If you do need to purchase a new machine, then you should do it during a pre-season sale rather than waiting until you are in dire need.
2. Test and Replace Smoke Alarm Batteries
Smoke alarms can save the lives of you and your family in the event of a fire. At least once per year, you need to change your batteries. Even if the battery is working fine, it’s always a good practice to test the machine and put some fresh batteries in it. If your smoke detector is more than a few years old, then you should replace it and make it a regular part of your home maintenance list.
3. Hose Off Your HVAC Unit
The evaporator and condenser coils on your HVAC unit suck in all sorts of leaves and debris. Take your garden hose and wash them off. You can also use a soft bristle brush to help with the cleaning process.
If you are unsure how to clean your unit safely and efficiently, you can call out an HVAC technician to do a preventative maintenance session on your unit. A system needs to be cleaned and tuned-up at least once per year. You will rely heavily on this unit during the scorching temperatures of summer.
During preventative maintenance, a technician will change the filter, look for abnormal signs of wear and tear, and check refrigerant levels. A system that is regularly maintained has a longer expected lifespan than one that is left to time and chance.
4. Replace Caulking Around Doors and Windows
Caulking provides an air-tight seal around windows and doors. During the bitter cold of winter, the caulking can crack and begin to peel. Replacing the caulking will keep insects from getting into your home and keep air leaks to a minimum. While you are working on the windows and doors, you should go ahead and caulk around the sinks and bathtubs in your home too. Caulking is an inexpensive item that does an excellent job of keeping cracks sealed. You will be glad you did this task during ant season. Be sure to make this part of your spring home maintenance list each year.
5. Paint the Front Door
Most people use a bright hue to showcase their front door. However, the moisture from winter can fade the paint and cause it to appear dull and worn. It takes just a few minutes to freshen up the color. This little half-hour chore will make a significant impact on your curb appeal.
6. Clean Your Gutters
Your gutters become clogged with leaves and debris during the fall and winter seasons. It’s important to clean your gutters so that when spring showers arrive, the water will be diverted away from your foundation. If you don’t have a gutter cap on your system, you may consider adding one. Enclosed gutters keep debris from collecting and prevent the need for frequent cleanings.
There’s no season as beautiful as the springtime, and there’s no better time to get your household in shape for the rest of the year. Your spring home maintenance list can help prepare you for warmer weather and months of relaxation and peace of mind.
Spring is the time of year for buying and selling homes, so call Diligent Home Inspections for quality home inspection services in Maryland. Contact us to inquire about our services or book your appointment.