For families ready to tackle spring home maintenance, here’s a straightforward guide to get your home in top shape. This checklist covers everything from the roof to the foundation, ensuring your home stays safe and comfortable.
🏠 Exterior Maintenance
Begin with the outside of your home. Check for any damage that winter might have caused.
Roof Inspection
Inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles. Look for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks or curled edges. If you find any issues, consider contacting a professional roofer for repairs.
Gutter Cleaning
Clean out your gutters to prevent water damage and pest infestations. Remove any debris, such as leaves and twigs, that may have accumulated over the winter.
Siding And Windows
Check your home’s siding and windows for any cracks or gaps. Ensure that all windows open and close smoothly. If you notice any issues, make a note to address them.
🌳 Yard And Outdoor Spaces
Spring is the perfect time to revitalize your outdoor spaces. Here’s what to do:
Lawn Care
Mow your lawn to a healthy height and remove any dead grass. Consider aerating your lawn to improve soil health.
Garden Prep
Prepare your garden beds for planting. Remove any weeds and add fresh compost to enrich the soil.
Outdoor Furniture
Clean and inspect your outdoor furniture. Look for any signs of damage and make necessary repairs.
🚪 Interior Maintenance
While you’re focusing on the exterior, don’t neglect the inside of your home. Here are some key areas to check:
HVAC System
Have your HVAC system inspected and serviced. This ensures it’s ready for the warmer months ahead. You can find a trusted HVAC professional through sites like Angi.
Deep Cleaning
Perform a deep clean of your home. This includes cleaning carpets, washing windows, and dusting hard-to-reach areas.
Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they’re working properly. Replace batteries if needed.
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🛠️ The Spring Maintenance Checklist
Hot Water Heater
After consulting your hot water tank owner’s manual, carefully test the temperature and pressure relief valve to ensure it is not stuck. Caution: This test may release hot water that can cause burns. Wear gloves, and use a bucket to catch water as it comes out. Be sure the valve returns to its original position.
Wash Machine
Empty the wash machine drain pump. Check water hoses and filters.
Fireplace/ Wood Stove And Chimney
Have the fireplace or wood stove and chimney cleaned and serviced as needed. Clean and check for deteriorating bricks and mortar. Check for leaks. Check for birds, nests, squirrels, and insects.
Attic
If you have an attic fan:
- ✅ Remove leaves and debris from louvers and louver pivots.
- ✅ Clean fan blades.
- ✅ Lubricate motor and pulley bearings–check the owner’s manual
- ✅ Examine the drive belt and replace it if the sides are glazed, smooth, and slippery.
- ✅ Check belt tension (should deflect 1/2 of an inch when pressed in the middle). Replace the belt if necessary.
Examine the attic for evidence of any leaks. Check insulation and remove or add if necessary. Is there evidence of birds, squirrels, raccoons, etc.? Check for proper ventilation.
Air Conditioning
Switch on the power to the air conditioning and check the system. Service every two or three years. Check the dehumidifier and drain — clean if necessary-wash and change the filter.
Furnace
General furnace inspection: Look for rust, scaling on the heat exchanger, and proper flame color. Shut down, drain, clean the furnace humidifier, and close the furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning. Turn OFF the gas furnace, then check the exhaust vent and air shutter openings for dirt and dust. Clean the burner of lint and dirt and vacuum air passages to the burner, or hire a professional. Inspect the heating system’s fan belt for frayed or worn spots, and check tension (should give about 3/4 of an inch). Keep a spare belt on hand.
Water Well And Septic Tank
Have the well water tested for quality. It is recommended that you test for bacteria every six months. Check septic tanks and drain fields for any flooding or damage. Get the tank pumped seasonally
Shower
Inspect the shower door for proper fit. Adjust if necessary. Inspect caulking around the shower enclosure and re-caulk if necessary.
Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Check smoke, carbon monoxide, and security alarms, and replace batteries.
Windows And Doors
Check weather stripping on windows and doors for damage and tightness of fit. Repair. Clean windows, screens, and hardware, and replace storm windows with screens. Check latches and pivots on storm windows for loose connections or signs of wear. Replace loose or worn parts. Ensure the “weep hole” at the bottom of the metal windows is clear. Repair window glazing. Check window frames for cracks and repair. Repaint as needed. Pay attention to the sills. Clean awnings. Repair cloth or repaint metal as needed.
Outside Faucets And Sprinklers
Open the valve to the outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed. Check and repair hoses. After the last frost date, turn on and set the outdoor sprinkler system. Check sprinkler heads and replace damaged heads.
Foundation Walls
Check inside and outside foundation walls and piers for termite tubes and damaged wood. Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks, or signs of moisture and repair them as required. Examine the inside of the foundation walls for dampness or water stain, which indicates seepage or a leak. Use flexible caulking wherever the driveway or sidewalks meet the house.
House Siding
Inspect bricks or blocks for cracked mortar or loose joints. Check for and seal off any holes in exterior cladding that could be an entry point for small pests, such as bats and squirrels. Inspect siding for damage or rot. Wash if soiled. Repair or replace. Repair any damaged stucco, foundation, or bricks.
Walls (Inside And Out)
Check painted surfaces for paint failure, water damage, or mildew (inside and outside). Examine all trim for tightness of fit, damage, and decay. Look for cracks where ceilings and walls join. Check caulking around windows and doors (inside and outside). Inspect the condition of caulking where two different materials meet, where wood siding joins the foundation’s wall, at inside corners, and where window trim and door trim join the siding. Check for and treat mildew.
Roof
Inspect the roof for damaged or loose shingles or blisters. Examine flashing around chimneys, vent stacks, and roof edges. Check vents and louvers for free air movement. Clean screen. Check antenna guy wires and support straps.
Sump Pump
Ensure the sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in. Ensure the discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain from the foundation.
Electricity
Inspect the condition of the wiring in exposed areas such as the attic and basement. Exercise circuit breaker.
Leaf Removal
Clean out debris or leaves that have filled or blocked doorways, window wells, and storm drains. Trim back trees and bushes that are touching the house. Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris.
Deck And Steps
Re-level any exterior steps or decks that moved due to frost or settling. Deck: Scrub mildewed areas and treat for water stains, mildew, and fungus.
Sidewalks And Driveways
Inspect repair sidewalks and stepping stones. Inspect and repair damage to the driveway.
Gutters
Check eavestroughs and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your home, remove debris from gutters (Use wire snake for elbows), and aim downspouts away from the house. Spot paint wore areas on gutters and downspouts. Repair or caulk holes. Replace any sections that have holes or excessive rust.
Outside Wooden Structures
Repair and paint fences as necessary — allow wood fences to dry adequately before tackling this task. Repaint trellises as necessary. Clean and treat wooden planters and window boxes.
Outdoor Play Equipment
Check and repair children’s play equipment, such as swing sets and trampolines. Replace sand in the sandbox if animals have used it. Check and repair outside games such as volleyball and basketball nets.
Outdoor Furniture And Grill
Clean lawn furniture. Paint or condition wood or metal furniture. Scour rust off metal furniture with a metal brush. Wash or replace lawn furniture cushions. Wash grill grates and rinse off outside. Repair any rust or damage. Clean or replace the patio umbrella. Check and repair the hot tub.
Lawn And Garden Equipment
Do spring maintenance on the lawnmower –refer to the mower’s manual. Inspect, clean and repair garden and lawn tools.
Wildlife
Check and repair feeders. Paint as necessary. Check and repair birdbaths and birdhouses.
❓ Questions People Ask
How Often Should I Check My Smoke Alarms?
Test your smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries at least once a year, or when the low-battery chirp sounds.
What Should I Do If I Find Mold In My Home?
If you find mold, clean it up immediately. For small areas, use a solution of bleach and water. For larger infestations, consider hiring a professional.
Can I Perform All These Maintenance Tasks Myself?
Many tasks can be done by homeowners, but for complex systems like the furnace or electrical wiring, it’s best to hire a professional to ensure safety and proper function.
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