Step by Step Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
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Ahhh, spring: it’s finally upon us. Along with those beautiful blooming tulips and daffodils comes the need to check on and upkeep many parts of your home both on the inside and outside. So be preemptive and give your home a once over so you don’t end up with a crisis-status situation that could potentially have been mitigated while it was still a tiny problem.
Step 1: Check the attic & basement.
Break out the flashlights and clear the cobwebs in your attic and basement and play sleuth while you check for signs of infestations. Springtime is prime time for critters like squirrels, birds, raccoons, mice, and chipmunks to burrow into the nooks and crannies of your home to raise their young. Look carefully for animal droppings, food remnants, pieces of fur or other signs that you may have unwelcome guests in your home.
These types of infestations can cause great damage in your home’s structure, so it’s a critical reason to check for them during your spring home maintenance checklist.
You will also want to check for insect infestations. Ants, roaches, beetles, silverfish, spiders, and centipedes are well known springtime invaders, so check closely for signs of insect infestation.
If you find indications of an infestation of any type, call an exterminator promptly.
In addition, you will also want to check your basement and attic for mold. Check for dark or light colored blotches that look like liquid stains on walls, beams, floors, and ceilings. Be sure to carefully check areas that could be prone to leakage, such as around windows or vents. This is where mold will most likely show up. If you find mold in your home, call a professional to help you clean it up. Certain types of mold are highly toxic, so it is not recommended that you do that job yourself.
Step 2: Look for leaks and clogs.
Now that the weather is warmer, you will want to check your spigots, drains, and water lines for potential leaks or clogs. Check the water lines inside your home for sweating, which can be an indicator of a failing pipe. Drainage systems in your garage and around your property should also be tested and clogs cleared, if necessary.
Step 3: Test smoke & carbon monoxide alarms.
Teat your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they are working properly to keep you and your family safe. If necessary, replace the batteries or the entire units if you find they are not working properly.
Step 4: Swap out filters.
From furnace filters to water filters, spring is the perfect time to check the filters in your home and replace them if necessary. Even the filters on your home appliances, such as your vacuum cleaner or washing machine, should be checked and replaced as necessary.
Step 5: Inspect air conditioners.
Whether your home has central air conditioning or window air conditioner units, it’s important to make sure the units are properly functioning. Check plugs, hoses and electrical wires for signs of wear or damage, and, if you find any, call an electrician to make the necessary repairs or replace the unit.
Step 6: Check the deck (or patio).
If your deck or patio is looking a little less than lustrous, spring is the time to power wash it and/or refinish it. Weatherproofing your wood deck or concrete patio is a great way to keep it looking nice and keeping it safe for many years to come.
Step 7: Look for problems in the foundation.
Foundation problems such as new cracks in your walls, water coming in where it shouldn’t be, bowing walls, or even uneven basement floors can be a sign of a major foundation problem. Be sure to put a check next to this item on your spring home maintenance checklist each and every spring so you can catch foundation problems while they’re small and before they become even more expensive and threaten the safety of your family.
Is it time to move?
If your spring home maintenance checklist has left you feeling like maybe it’s time to move into a newer home that requires less upkeep, give one of our personal mortgage advisors a call at 1-877-480-8050 for a free consultation today. We’ll let you know what your options are so that you can experience what home should feel like.
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