Annual Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

A home operates with the seasons, coming to life in the spring and hunkering down in the winter. If you’re a homeowner eager to throw open the windows and clean out the closets, consider this list of annual spring home maintenance items to complete in order to give your home the once-over it deserves inside and out.

SYSTEMS TO CHECK:

HVAC | Call your technician to schedule servicing and cleaning of your HVAC. Cleaning the ducts and vents saves home-owner costs in the long run.

PLUMBING | Check to make sure your pipes and faucets aren’t leaking. Water stains on the walls and ceilings are major indicators of leaky pipes. It’s a good idea to also check the flapper in the tank of your toilets to ensure it is not worn out.

SUMP PUMP/GUTTERS | April showers are in the forecast- don’t wait until they are here to make sure your sump pump’s motor isn’t shot and your gutters aren’t clogged.

CHIMNEY | If you have a chimney, you need to inspect it regularly because they carry dangerous gasses from the fireplace, wood stove, or furnace out of your home- keeping the air inside breathable. If you were cozied up by the fireplace all winterlong, odds are there may be a blockage or build up inside your chimney. Hire an expert to check for cracks and repairs. 

SMOKE ALARM/CO2 | Better safe than sorry- check the batteries. You should be doing this more than once a year, but since you’re tackling the rest of the house might as well add it to the list now.

AREAS TO SPRUCE:

DECK/PATIO | As the weather warms up, you’ll be eager to use your outside space again. Chances are your deck and/or patio has a layer of winter grime on it. Sweep away debris, check for cracked wood, and replace loose nails. 

PAINT | Look for signs of peeling or chipped paint on your home’s exterior coat. You may need a touch-up or a fresh coat. 

POOL | If you have a pool, you’ll have to treat the water, check and change valves and filters, and inspect all equipment before you’ll actually want to swim in it.

EXTERIOR WINDOWS/FACADE | Spring is a good time to give your home a good scrub. Take the storm windows off and wash the windows, inside and out. The house can get grimy, too. Grit stuck to the facade can damage paint and masonry over time. 

LAWN/HEDGES | Reseed your lawn, filling in bald patches before the summer heat. Plant your perennials, and give them plenty of water. Later in the spring, when the grass turns bright green again and the lilacs bloom, it is time to fertilize the lawn.

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