Not only is spring the time we all prepare for the pollen showers here in the South, but it’s also the perfect time to get your home in order (inside and out) for the upcoming season and warmer weather, plus address any maintenance issues that came up over the winter.
Here is a spring home maintenance checklist to help you get started in taking an inspection walk around the outside of your house, the yard, and inside your home’s four walls:
Check out your roof
Break out a pair of binoculars or climb a ladder to check for any missing shingles or signs of roof leaks or damage that may have arisen over the winter season. On the other side, check for any water stains on the ceilings inside your home. If any problems are spotted, you may want to hire a roofer for repairs.
Clean out your gutters and downspouts
Remove all leaves, twigs, and other debris that may have clogged your gutters and downspouts over the fall and winter months. Also, make sure gutter sections are securely attached to the home and that the downspouts are connected to the gutters and house. This project could be a DIY if you’re comfortable with heights and want to save money. If not, hire a professional.
Inspect your HVAC system
The pros advise you to schedule a professional service maintenance once a year, and springtime is a great time to do it before the hot summer months explode, you find out your HVAC isn’t keeping you cool, and area contractors are overbooked. They can change out air filters if necessary, clear debris around the unit, and check for any other repairs.
Check your windows and doors
Inspect for any cracks or leaks, and replace any damaged weatherstripping or caulking to maintain your home’s energy efficiency.
Inspect your exterior siding and paint condition
Check the exterior of your home for any holes in the siding from wear and tear or falling tree limbs. Small cracks can be filled caulk, but more extensive damages call for a contractor. Your home’s exterior paint should be refreshed about every five years. If your exterior paint shows signs of cracking, peeling, bubbling, or fading, it may be time for a fresh coat.
Look for leaks in your home’s plumbing system
Consider scheduling a professional plumbing inspection to check for any leaks or water damage in your home’s plumbing system.
Get ahead of pest prevention
Walk around the outside of your house and check for signs of termite damage, which look like mud tubes the size of a pencil near your home’s foundation. Call a pest control service if anything is found. Also, remove any standing water around the house, which can be mosquito breeding areas.
Switch storm windows for screens
Let the fresh spring air in! Switch out any storm windows you may have installed in the fall, remove them, and store them away. Then you’re ready to spray off the screens, repair any damages to the screens, and install them.
Reactivate your irrigation system
Most of us turn the water off to outdoor faucets to avoid freezing during the winter. In the spring, turn it back on, check for pipe leaks, and make sure all sprinkler heads are working properly.
Refresh your lawn
Spring is the best time to refresh your lawn and landscaping, as our surroundings begin to bloom and become a little greener. The to-do list could include aerating, fertilizing, and reseeding your lawn with a patch-and-repair product; cleaning up, weeding, and mulching flower beds; planting flower bulbs and vegetable plants; and pruning trees and shrubs. It’s also a good time to service your lawn equipment.
Clean your pool, deck, and patio
Get ready for outdoor summer fun by cleaning up the pool, vacuuming debris, testing the water acidity and adding chemicals if needed, power washing or staining decks and patios, and making any necessary repairs from wear and tear.
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Change batteries out twice a year (Daylight savings is a good time) and test that they’re in good working condition.
Clean your dryer vent
Clogged dryer vents can be a fire hazard, so schedule a dryer vent cleaning professional for best results.
Adjust ceiling fans
Make sure the blades of all your home’s ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise for the best cooling by changing the switch.
Deep clean!
Spring is the time to do a deep clean inside your home, from general housekeeping to cleaning appliances, cabinets, windows, plumbing fixtures, and floors. Declutter to maximize space and give everything a thorough dusting. Maybe even consider buying an air purifier to freshen indoor air after a long winter.
Realtor Paige Bird has been an expert agent in Myrtle Beach for homebuyers and sellers since 2004. She has been named the #1 RE/MAX Agent in South Carolina for 9 consecutive years. In 2022, she closed on 75 properties for a total $26,472,347 in sales volume and an average list-to-sales price of 99.10%.
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