Spring into Action: A Guide to Preparing Your Home for the Season Ahead
Spring is a wonderful time of year when the weather starts to warm up and the days get longer. It’s also the perfect time to tackle some important home maintenance tasks to ensure your home is in tip-top shape for the rest of the year. Here are some home maintenance tips for the spring to get you started.
Clean gutters and downspouts
After a long winter, gutters and downspouts can become clogged with leaves, branches, and debris. This can lead to water damage and even flooding in your home. To prevent this, it’s important to clean your gutters and downspouts in the spring. Pro Tip: Always use gloves to remove any debris, and then flush your gutters out with a hose to make sure water can flow freely.
Check your roof
Spring is also a good time to check the condition of your roof. Look for any signs of damage, like missing or cracked shingles, and make sure there are no leaks or water damage. If you’re not comfortable inspecting your roof yourself, there’s no shame in hiring a professional roofer to do it for you! Remember, safety first.
Inspect windows and doors
Winter weather can take a toll on windows and doors, causing drafts and ultimately energy loss in your home. Inspect your windows and doors for any cracks, gaps, or damage, and re-seal them with caulk or weatherstripping as needed. This will help keep your home more comfortable and energy-efficient throughout the year.
Service your HVAC system
Time to check your HVAC system to ensure it’s running efficiently and effectively. Change the air filters, clean the coils, and schedule a professional maintenance check-up to address any potential issues before they become bigger problems.
Time for a spring clean
Winter weather can often leave your home’s exterior looking dirty and dingy. Use a pressure washer to clean your siding, deck, and driveway, and touch up any peeling paint or other damage. This will not only improve your home’s curb appeal, but it also helps to prevent further damage.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Spring is a good time to test your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they’re working properly. Since batteries should be replaced yearly, mark your calendar and swap out all the batteries every spring. Also keep in mind that detectors generally need replacing every 10 years, so if any of your detectors are nearing that age, be sure to replace them. And last but not least, make sure there are enough detectors throughout your home to provide adequate protection in case of emergency.
Check for pests
Now is about the time that pests start to become more active. Check your home for signs of infestation, and take steps to prevent bugs and small critters from getting inside. This may include sealing cracks and gaps, storing food in airtight containers, and doing some overall cleaning and decluttering.
Clean and organize the garage
Take a moment to get rid of any items you no longer need and make sure everything you do have has a designated place. This will help you find what you need more easily and make the most of your garage space. Plus, chances are you’ll have a nice collection for garage sale season.
Check on all of your outdoor equipment
It’s been a long winter. Time to dust off your lawn mowers, trimmers, and sprinklers, to ensure they’re working properly. Clean and sharpen blades, replace any worn-out parts, and make any necessary repairs before you need to use them again. If you have underground sprinklers, get that water turned back on to them, and inspect your system for any leaks, or broken heads.
Spring is the perfect time to tackle some important home maintenance tasks. Especially in the Central Oregon region, our seasons bring so much change. Scheduling out specific maintenance for your home for each season will help more evenly distribute your work load. Plus, it’s the best way to ensure that your home remains in excellent shape all year long so that you can enjoy it to the fullest.