Tips for Spring Home Maintenance
Spring has almost sprung making it the perfect time to get your home ready for warmer temps! This will help you enjoy the great outdoors – or list your home on the market for sale.
In the winter time, many aspects of your home aren’t used as often, meaning they may need some attention once the weather thaws out. From the interiors of your home to the exterior, ARC Realty has a few tips to help you prepare your home for spring, and ensure you’ll be ready to enjoy the warmer weather when it arrives.
Check Outside Faucets
There is always a chance for busted pipes during a hard free. Check outside hose faucets for free damage. It’s best to turn your water on and place your thumb over the opening. If you’re able to stop water flow it is likely you have a damaged pipe inside your home. It’s also smart to check your garden hose of dry rot!
Inspect Power Equipment
It will soon be time to power up the lawn mower and leaf blower. Check to make sure your lawn equipment is ready for regular use again. Clean and sharp all blades to make your time more productive.
Trim the Trees
We are all excited for the warmer temperatures and greening landscape that spring brings, but spring weather can also be unpredictable. Temperatures can swing back and forth between balmy and frigid, and sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather.
Cut back those branches while they’re still bare to reduce the risk of them snapping off during a storm and landing on your house, car, or power line.
Clean Your Gutters
Your gutters collect tons of dead leaves over the winter and fall months. Remove those dead leaves from your gutters and downspouts so heavy rain can flow efficiently off your roof. Make sure that those downspouts are secure so water is draining away from your home and not soaking into the foundation. While you’re up there, inspect the roof for broken or missing shingles or tiles.
Inspect Caulking
The cold weather can often cause windows and doors to separate slightly from their frames. Walk around your home and examine caulking around windows and doors, and open windows and doors and look at weather stripping. Replace old or cracking caulk and weather stripping as necessary.
Service AC Unit
The fall and spring are the two most important times to review your home’s major HVAC – heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems. Ensure air filters have been replaced or cleaned and stock up on new air filters if you use the disposable kind, especially since this time of year allergens are at their peak. Check your air conditioner before the summer to ensure it is in good working order. Remember – if you need to have a service person look at it now, it will be a lot less expensive than three months from now.
Tend to Your Attic
Make sure your attic is either insulated or equipped with a high-quality attic fan to direct the hot air up and out of the home. Be sure to reverse all ceiling fans, too, so that their blades are running counter-clockwise and getting rid of heat, instead of pushing it back into the living space.
We all want to be able to enjoy the warmer weather when it gets here, so use these tips to get started on preparing your home for spring weather!
Thinking about making a move? Contact an ARC agent for a consultation today!
