When you own a home or rent, there are some home maintenance projects you'll want to tackle to keep your home safe. Spring is an excellent time to perform home maintenance tasks, so your home is ready for summer. Start writing your spring home maintenance list to help ensure your home is in optimal condition for the upcoming season.
Clean Rain Gutters
Clean the rain gutters on your house at least once per year. Rain gutter maintenance ensures that runoff from your roof is directed away from your house where water can pool or freeze. Clogged gutters can also lead to the formation of ice dams which can cause damage to the exterior and interior of your house.
To clean rain gutters:
- Grab a bucket and a ladder.
- Use your hands to pull debris from the gutter and place it in the bucket or toss it on the ground to be cleaned up afterward.
- Turn on the hose, flush the gutters out, and ensure the downspouts are free of debris.
Inspect Roof
Since you're going to be up on a ladder cleaning out the gutters, take a quick peek at the condition of your roof. IMPORTANT: Do not climb on the roof unless you wear a roofing harness and anchor. If you notice moss growing on the roof, you'll want to get rid of it to avoid long-term damage. Purchase a spray solution designed to kill moss growth from roof shingles and apply as directed. Also, inspect the roof for any damaged or missing shingles and have a professional roofer replace them.
TIP: a drone can be used to inspect your roof, but make sure there are no power lines or other obstructions that could lead to severe damage or serious injury. Hiring a professional, licensed drone operator to inspect your roof is advised.
Change Smoke Detector Batteries
Part of home maintenance includes changing the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. An easy way to remember to change batteries is to add it to your calendar as a recurring annual task or associate it with a holiday (ex. 1st day of spring). You might consider having hard-wired detectors installed in your home to eliminate the need for battery replacement.
Service HVAC Unit
Maintain the health of your HVAC unit by routinely replacing HVAC filters according to the manufacturer's instructions (likely every month). A clean air filter will help reduce the strain on your HVAC system and keep clean air circulating throughout your home. When HVAC filters aren't changed regularly, your energy bills will go up, and, more importantly, the air conditioning system can freeze up. No one wants to have problems with their air conditioning during the hottest days of the year, so routine maintenance is a must.
Secondly, schedule an HVAC professional to service your HVAC in the spring or early summer to ensure long-term operation and avoid problems during the year's hottest months.
Clean Refrigerator Coils
One of the easiest ways to help your refrigerator run smoothly is to clean the refrigerator coils. Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner and vacuum the coils. Then, run a cloth over them to clean off any remaining dust. This maintenance tip will keep your refrigerator running more efficiently, keep your electricity bill down, and extend the life of your refrigerator.
- Refrigerator runs more efficiently
- Reduces electricity bill
- Extends life of the refrigerator
Clean Dryer Vent
Another easy spring maintenance tip is cleaning the vent on your dryer. When dryer vents get clogged with lint and debris, the vents catch fire, destroying your home.
"2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property loss." - U.S. Fire Administration
To clean the dryer vent, you'll want to look at where it attaches to the dryer and where it leaves your house. You can remove noticeable lint and debris from the dryer vent with a vacuum cleaner attachment or with gloved hands.
Recaulk Window Seals
Look at the seal around your windows each spring to ensure the caulking isn't cracking. Caulking around windows helps keep air from seeping in and out of your home. If it has broken down over time and left gaps, scrape it off and replace it with new caulk.
Conclusion
The home maintenance tips we've provided in this article are the minimum amount of home projects you should perform in the spring to keep your home safe and running efficiently. If you plan to sell your home, talk to your real estate agent about other spring maintenance projects you should consider before putting your house up for sale. Tackling spring home maintenance tips will bring you great pride and ultimately increase the value of your home.
If you need help finding a local real estate agent, please reach out to us at info@reazo.com.