Your Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Spring isn’t just about the cleaning. While cleaning might take up a large chunk of your spring to-do list, there are other maintenance to-dos around the house that are just as important. Follow this spring maintenance checklist to ensure your home is ready for the warm months ahead.
□ Gutters & Downspouts – Leaves, twigs and dirt can easily build up and clog gutters and downspouts. Clear this debris, reattach gutters that have pulled away, and check for leaks by running a hose on the roof. Seal any leaks to ensure proper drainage on a rainy day.
□ Window & Door Screens – Clean all screens and inspect for holes. If you find any holes, patch them up or replace the screen to keep bugs from climbing in. Tip: Save old screens to patch future holes!
□ Siding – Power wash siding to keep mold from growing. For wood siding, look for any worn paint that’s no longer protecting the wood. If necessary, sand the worn area, apply a primer coat then repaint.
□ Decks, Porches & Fences – Replace any loose boards and railings on decks, porches and fences to avoid potential injuries. Make sure your wood treatment is up to date by pouring water on the wood. If it beads up, your treatment is good. If the wood absorbs the water easily, it’s time for a treatment. Having the proper stain, paint or wood protector is important to prevent moisture from damaging the wood. If your deck, porch, railing or fence is beyond repairable, Progressive Fence & Railing can help with new installation!
□ Landscape – Cut back and trim all overgrown plants, especially those near your home or other structures. For applicable landscapes, re-mulch, refill rock beds, spray for weeds (or contact the pros) and plant flowers.
□ Storage Sheds – On the outside, clear the base, patch leaks and hole, and power wash the exterior. On the inside, trash unused items and organize contents by season. Lawn tools, gardening gear and other backyard accessories should make their way toward the front! If your shed isn’t salvageable for spring or you just want to start fresh, give Jed’s Sheds a call.
□ Sprinklers – Check your sprinkler system now before your lawn really needs the water. Run the system and see if any specific area of your yard collects more water than other areas, or doesn’t get enough water. If so, look for leaky valves, exposed lines or broken sprinkler heads and get them fixed ASAP.
□ Air Conditioner – Clean the filter and condenser coils, clear debris from the base of your unit and check the coolant lines. Be sure to test your A/C before that first warm day arrives so you aren’t stuck with a hot house. If anything needs to be repaired, turn to the experts at Bowman’s Cooling & Heating – there’s no job too big or small!
□ Foundation – Check your home’s foundation for any cracking or deterioration. If you can slide a nickel into any cracks of your concrete foundation, call a professional.
□ Exterior Caulking – Recaulk wherever necessary to protect the inside of your home from water and insect damage. Common areas that may need to be recaulked include joints along windows, doors and aluminum siding.
□ Roof – Get on your roof and look for any signs of damage that may have occurred over the winter. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for or you do find something that needs to be fixed, bring in a professional.
□ Insulation – Inspect your attic and crawl space insulation to make sure everything is in order. Atlantic Insulation and Construction Services (AICS) can make sure your insulation is in good condition to save you from high cooling costs and moisture in your home!