Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Spring is the best time to 'press refresh' on your home and bring it back to life from the cold winter months! It doesn't have to be done all in one day either. Take a few weeks to check off each task, and as a result it will help prevent breakdowns, save you money, keep your home looking it's best, and keep you and your family safe.

Aside from the first thought of cleaning out the closet and doing a full round of spring cleaning, here are a few maintenance tasks that will keep you home in tip top shape.

Inside

• Schedule a routine HVAC inspection and duck/vent cleaning before the weather starts to gets hot.

• Replace air filters - this will make it easier to regulate the temperature in your home.

• Clean lint from clothes dryer vent on the inside and where the air is vented outdoors.

• Check the smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors. - This should be done twice a year.

• Clean the garbage disposal. - Try grinding ice cubes followed by hot water and baking soda.
  

Outside

• Rake leaves.

• Add mulch to your flowerbeds and around the hedges. - A thin layer of mulch will prevent weeds and keep the soil moist.

• Hire a lawn care service or begin yard maintenance yourself such as mowing, edging, and weed prevention treatments. - A healthy lawn plus weed prevention will choke out any small weeds present and will prevent further growth.

• If you have bald patches in your lawn, begin reseeding. - If you wait till late summer the heat will be too harsh on the seeds. Best time to plant is April, May, June.

• Walk around the outside of the house looking for damages and begin repairs where needed. (Cracked driveways, damaged shingles, dead plants, dirt/algae collection on the exterior.)

• Wash the exterior/siding of your home. Below are two great options which you can do yourself of hire a professional to do!

  1. Pressure washing

  2. Soft washing - which is less abrasive than pressure washing and comes with long lasting benefits! Soft washing use a combination of soaps, bleach, and water to ensure your exterior stays clean for the long term, killing and slowing down the further growth of algae or bacteria. Want to know more about pressure washing vs soft washing? This website does a great job of explaining!

• Wash the roof of your home. Pressure washing is not a good option as this will damage the shingles. Instead, it is safer to hire professionals that will use a solution and lower water pressure specific for cleaning roofs. They will be able to remove the black mold that lessens the lifespan of your roof.

• Check and clean gutters. Make sure the downspouts drain away from the foundation. Most gutters need to be cleaned twice a year. - Neglecting them could result in roof leaks or water to infiltrate your house.

• Repair and replace damaged window screens.

• Inspect the deck and fence , checking for rotted wood or exposed nails.

Get started on this checklist today and end this spring bringing more value to your home!

*Before doing any architectural changes such as adding flowers and shrubs to your property, cutting down trees, building or repairing decks and fences, or other architectural modifications please send an ARC request to the board for review. Thank you.