Spring is the perfect time of year to perform any home maintenance that has been on hold over the winter. The wintertime brings harsh weather that adds wear and tear to your home, most of which isn’t obvious at first glance. To keep your home in excellent condition all year round and prevent expensive repairs, we recommend checking your house from top to bottom to catch up on any maintenance issues. While it can be a little overwhelming knowing where to start with spring cleaning and maintenance, we’ve made this handy checklist outlining some of the areas that are hit hardest by the wintery elements.
- Inspection – Start by taking a good look around the outside of your home; do you notice any signs of wear and tear? Are there shingles that have shifted on your roof? Gutters that need repair? Check the siding on your house, your door and window seals – are there any areas that look worn or damaged? By giving your house a thorough once-over, you’ll be able to catch any problems before they have the chance to worsen and cause costly repairs. Head inside and check the window and door seals again, noting any cracks or moisture trapped between the panes. Now is also a great time to check your carbon monoxide and fire detectors and change the batteries if needed.
- Windows – After winter weather it’s likely your windows can use a little attention! If you feel comfortable cleaning them yourself, use a squeegee or soft cloth with a mixture of equal parts hot water and white vinegar to clean that wintertime grime away. Don’t forget the screens; clean them using a mild detergent and allow them to completely dry before hanging them back on your windows. Note any holes in the screens- these should be fixed or replaced prior to summer to prevent any insects from coming into the house.
- Gutters – Gutters take a particular beating during the winter! Spring is the perfect time to clean any leaves, twigs, or other debris that may have accumulated in them during winter storms. Safely climb a ladder and remove any debris, then run a hose up to your roof and make sure your gutters and have proper drainage and that the downspouts send the water flowing away from your home’s foundation. Also, be sure to check that all the downspouts are securely attached to your home.
- Hardscaping – Wintertime temperatures can be hard on your driveways and walkways; check all the hardscaping for cracks, chips or other damage. Small cracks can often be repaired on your own, but larger areas may require a professional’s touch.
- Woodwork – Winter moisture can be tough on woodwork around your home, such as decks, siding, and railings. Spring is the perfect time to power wash and reseal any wood prior to warm summer weather. Note any signs of wood damage that may need to be replaced.
- Grills – Summertime means barbecuing, making spring the perfect season to prep your grill. For charcoal grills, it’s pretty straightforward- clean out ant ash or grease that may have accumulated. If you have a gas grill, it’s a good idea to check the lines to make sure there are no leaks. Coat the lines with soapy water and turn on the gas. If there are any leaks, you’ll see soap bubbles form at the leak site. Always be sure to keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house and at least 5 feet away from anything combustible.
- HVAC – Your HVAC system has likely been used a lot over the winter; servicing it in the spring ensures that your system is clean and ready to go for the summer months. This year the pollen count has been extremely high, and pollen is sticky gets into the outdoor and indoor coils. The last thing you want is to discover you have an issue that needs to be fixed in the middle of a heat wave! The skilled technicians at PECO can quickly help you with all your HVAC maintenance, including cleaning and replacing air filters. Ask our Service Expert about whole house filtration options.
- Irrigation – Before you begin watering your garden or yard this spring turn on all your irrigation, checking for any leaks, off-kilter sprinkler heads, or other malfunctions. Doing this will prevent significant water waste and potential water damage to your foundation, woodwork, or other parts of your home.
Hopefully, this list made it easier to know where to start with your spring cleaning and maintenance! If you’re unable to do any of your home upkeep due to time constraints, physical constraints, or lack of proper tools, contact us at PECO! We’re your friendly home maintenance experts handling all types of home repair, from gutters to decks and more. We’ll help you get your home in perfect order and ready to weather another year.
