24 spring home maintenance tasks to add to your to-do list
Lifestyle
Audio By Carbonatix
10:30 AM on Wednesday, March 25
By Sarah Blessing for Keystone Custom Homes, Stacker
24 spring home maintenance tasks to add to your to-do list
Spring Home Maintenance
People have been spring cleaning for thousands of years, and for good reason. After winter’s harsh conditions, addressing necessary repairs and preparing your home for the warmer months ahead is crucial. Spring is an ideal time for property upkeep for several key reasons.
This guide from Keystone Custom Homes provides essential tips for your spring home maintenance needs.
Why Is Spring a Good Time for Home Maintenance?
After winter weather, spring’s milder conditions make it perfect for addressing important upkeep tasks around the interior and exterior of your home. Proactive maintenance helps prevent minor issues from escalating into bigger and more expensive problems. Proper care also safeguards your property’s long-term condition and value, while making your home more enjoyable.
12 Interior Spring Home Maintenance Tasks
Kick-start your spring cleaning indoors. Tackling interior maintenance allows you to get a head start on improving your space before the last signs of winter have faded outside.
1. Open Windows
Start with the simple yet effective task of opening your windows. Once outdoor temperatures are mild, allow fresh air to circulate and replace stale indoor air. For optimal ventilation, create a cross breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of your home.
Opening your windows for five to 10 minutes at a time can freshen up your space and help boost air quality.
2. Clean Window Tracks and Screens
Spring is a great time to clean your window tracks and screens. Inspect for any damage, then vacuum away accumulated dust and debris for smoother operation and clearer views. This can make using and enjoying your windows easier as the weather warms up.
3. Test Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Though ideally tested monthly, spring is an excellent reminder to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Simply press the test button — if they don’t sound, replace the batteries by removing the cover and swapping the old ones for new.
4. Dust Ceiling Fans and Flat Surfaces
Winter often leaves behind a fine layer of dust. With fresh air now circulating, spring is the perfect time for a thorough dusting, focusing on overlooked areas like ceiling fans, cabinet tops, and shelving.
5. Clean Sink Traps and Garbage Disposal
Prevent unpleasant odors as temperatures rise by cleaning your sink traps and garbage disposal.
To clean your sink trap, run a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain. Allow this mixture to sit for 10 minutes before flushing it out with hot water. Clean your garbage disposal by running ice and a cleaning agent like dish soap or peeled lemon slices through it. The ice and cleaning agent will dislodge any trapped food and clear the blades.
6. Clean Your HVAC System
Prepare your HVAC system for increased use as the weather warms. This basic maintenance improves air quality, reduces energy costs, and prevents potential repairs.
Check your air filters, typically located in the return air duct found in ceilings, walls, or utility closets. Dirty filters increase dust, aggravate allergies, and strain your system. Turn off the HVAC, remove the old filter, noting the airflow arrow, then insert the new filter with the arrow pointing in the same direction. Replace filters every few months.
Dust vent covers and visually inspect air ducts for leaks, mold, pests, or damage. Call a professional for any serious damage you can’t repair yourself.
7. Inspect Your Chimney, Furnace, and Fireplace
After winter’s use, spring is the perfect time to inspect your heating elements and address any issues proactively. Address the following cleaning tasks:
- Chimney: Check for winter damage and obstructions. Clean it out to prepare for next season, allowing ample time for any necessary repairs. Consider professional chimney sweep services to clear buildup and minimize unwanted odors.
- Furnace: Ensure clean air by replacing the furnace filter, typically found near the unit in your attic, Basement, or utility closet. The replacement process is similar to that of your HVAC air filter.
- Fireplace: Inspect for damage and thoroughly clean it. Store any fuel safely in a pest-proof location if not planning to use it soon.
8. Test GFCI Outlets
You should regularly test your ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets, as they’re a key safety feature in many homes. Spring is a good time to ensure they’re working correctly.
To test your GFCI outlets, plug an appliance into the outlet and turn it on. Next, press the “test” button on the outlet. The appliance should turn off immediately, and the “reset” button should eject, showing that the GFCI outlet works as designed. If the appliance remains powered on, you may need to repair or replace the GFCI outlet.
9. Vacuum Refrigerator and Freezer Coils
Dirty refrigerator or freezer coils make your appliance less efficient, meaning it has to expend more energy to stay cool. Beyond improving your appliance’s performance, cleaning it can also extend its longevity.
Cleaning these coils is straightforward. Locate them underneath or behind your appliance — some are exposed, and many newer refrigerators and freezers hide them behind a panel.
Vacuum to remove dust and debris around the coils and the surrounding area. For a deep clean, use a duster or purpose-built refrigerator coil brush.
10. Clean Light Fixtures and Bulbs
Dust accumulation on light fixtures and bulbs can significantly impact your home’s illumination. Carefully wipe down or wash light covers and bulbs to maximize light output and improve indoor air quality.
11. Wash Curtains and Blinds
Fabrics like curtains and blinds trap dust, pet dander, and allergens over time. Follow care instructions to wash or vacuum them. This simple task can significantly refresh your home’s air.
12. Declutter Your Refrigerator, Pantry, and Cabinets
Spring is ideal for clearing out expired items from your pantry, refrigerator, and kitchen cabinets. Sort through everything from your spices and seasoning to your snacks. Organize remaining contents and wipe down shelves to ensure a clean, efficient cooking space.
12 Exterior Spring Home Maintenance Jobs
While there is plenty of fall maintenance you can do, winter isn’t the best time for most outdoor tasks. Instead, many exterior jobs are best left until spring’s milder weather.
1. Schedule Pest Control
As temperatures rise, pests become more active in and around your home. Spring is the ideal time to ensure you do not have unwanted guests. While you can perform a visual check, scheduling a professional inspection from the start is highly recommended to detect subtle signs and effectively manage any infestations.
2. Check Siding for Damage
Winter weather can inflict significant wear on your home’s siding, making spring the critical time for a thorough inspection. Carefully examine your home’s exterior for any signs of damage that could compromise its integrity and insulation.
Look for the following:
- Cracks or holes: These can allow moisture intrusion and pests.
- Warping or buckling: Indicative of water damage or improper installation.
- Loose or missing panels: Creates openings for water and reduces protection.
- Mold, algae, or mildew: Suggests moisture problems and can degrade siding material.
- Fading, peeling, or discolored surfacing: May indicate a need for resealing or repainting, affecting curb appeal and protection.
Unaddressed siding issues can lead to costly issues like wood rot, interior water damage, and reduced energy efficiency. Promptly repair any problems you discover, and consider consulting a professional for extensive issues to prevent further deterioration and protect your home’s structure.
3. Inspect Your Roof for Damage
Winter can take a toll on your roof, making spring the ideal time for a thorough inspection once the weather improves. Proactive checks can prevent significant water damage and structural issues.
Key areas to inspect include:
- Shingles: Safely inspect for damaged, loose, or missing shingles. These are common entry points for water and can lead to heat loss. Replace any compromised shingles.
- Flashings: Examine the metal strips around chimneys, vents, and skylights for cracks or lifting.
- Attic: Check the underside of your roof from the attic for any water stains or signs of leaks.
A qualified roofing professional can inspect your roof, clean off debris, and address any repairs needed.
4. Fix Cracked Concrete
Winter’s freeze-thaw cycles can significantly worsen even tiny concrete cracks by expanding them. In spring, inspect all concrete surfaces for these widened fissures. Repair them promptly with appropriate filler or caulk to prevent further deterioration and more extensive damage.
5. Check Sprinkler System
After winter, thoroughly inspect your irrigation system for clogs or leaks, which are common issues in pipes exposed to harsh conditions. Verify that each sprinkler head extends and retracts correctly, replacing any damaged or crooked ones. This ensures your system is primed for efficient watering, contributing to a lush lawn and simpler landscaping throughout warmer months.
6. Wash Windows
With brighter spring days, the accumulated grime on your windows becomes more noticeable. Give them a thorough cleaning using a window washing solution or warm water with dish soap.
Follow these steps to clean the exterior of your home’s windows:
- Clean and dry frames and hardware first.
- Use a dry cloth to remove loose dirt from the glass.
- Apply cleaning solution with a sponge or scrubber, rinsing it frequently, to clean the glass surface.
7. Clean and Flush Gutters
Gutters often accumulate debris during fall and winter, leading to blockages. Before heavy spring rains, clean out all gutters and downspouts to protect your home from leaks, algae, and pests. This task involves safely climbing a ladder to scoop out debris and then rinsing the channels. If you’re not comfortable or able to perform this task, hire a professional.
8. Clean Up Winter Debris and Rake the Yard
Lay the groundwork for easier summer lawn maintenance by cleaning up your yard in spring. Remove sticks and other winter debris, then rake your yard. This prepares your lawn for healthy growth and simplifies future mowing.
Collect any remaining leaves, pinecones, fallen branches, or even trash that may have accumulated. This not only improves your yard’s appearance but also prevents mold and disease from developing under decaying organic matter, which can smother new grass growth and create hiding spots for pests.
Rake your entire lawn. This process helps remove excess thatch and lightly aerates the soil surface. Raking allows air, water, and nutrients to better penetrate the soil, encouraging healthier grass growth and a denser lawn.
9. Reseal Woodwork
Winter’s moisture, snow, and dirt can severely damage exterior wooden structures like decking, fences, and trim, leading to warping, stains, or discoloration. As spring brings milder weather, thoroughly inspect all outdoor woodwork for these signs of wear.
Resealing is crucial for protecting the wood from moisture, UV damage, and rot, extending its lifespan and maintaining its appearance.
For decks, a simple water test can indicate whether the surface needs resealing. Pour a small amount of water onto the surface. If the water beads up, your current sealant is likely still effective. If it soaks in, the wood is exposed and needs resealing promptly.
Address these areas by cleaning, sanding if necessary, and applying a fresh coat of sealant or stain to ensure your exterior woodwork remains protected and beautiful throughout the year.
10. Remove Standing Water
Standing water in your yard is more than an aesthetic issue. It’s a significant health and pest hazard. It serves as an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can transmit diseases, and also attracts other unwanted insects.
Thoroughly inspect your property for any sources of standing water, including:
- Clogged gutters and downspouts: Ensure they are clean and draining properly.
- Bird baths: Change water frequently.
- Upturned tarps or covers: Drain any puddles that collect.
- Buckets, or planters: Empty and store them properly or dispose of them.
- Children’s toys or pet water dishes: Empty and clean regularly.
- Uneven landscaping: Address low spots in your yard that collect water.
Making a habit of regularly checking for and eliminating standing water is a simple yet highly effective way to reduce pest populations, safeguard your household’s health, and keep your yard more enjoyable throughout the warmer months.
11. Repaint Your Home’s Exterior
Spring is a great time to refresh your home’s paint, addressing fading, chipping, or peeling. Spring, with its milder temperatures, is an excellent time to assess your paintwork.
For minor discoloration or small marks, spot painting can often suffice to refresh your home’s appearance and protect underlying surfaces. Depending on your home’s material, the quality of the previous exterior painting job, and local climate, a complete exterior repaint is typically needed every few years. This maintenance task enhances curb appeal and provides a critical protective barrier against the elements.
12. Prune Shrubs and Trees
Winter can leave shrubs and trees with dead or damaged branches, and early spring is the ideal time for pruning. This maintenance task promotes healthy new growth, improves the plant’s shape, and prevents branches from rubbing against your home or roof, which can cause damage.
Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches. For larger trees or complex pruning, consider hiring a professional arborist to ensure proper technique and safety.
Keep Your Home at Its Best This Spring
Proactive spring maintenance is an investment in your home’s longevity, value, and your overall comfort. By tackling these essential tasks, you address winter’s impact, prevent minor issues from becoming major problems, and prepare your home to thrive throughout the year. The more thoroughly you approach this seasonal reset, the better your home will perform and the more enjoyable it will be for your household.
This story was produced by Keystone Custom Homes and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
