Important Home Maintenance Tasks I Do Every Spring
June 01, 2018Being a homeowner comes with a lot of pride and satisfaction, not to mention the financial benefits of building equity over time. But it’s not all fun and games — owning a home also involves a lot of work to protect your biggest investment.
Spring is a great time to spruce up the yard, wash away the grimy left overs of a long winter from the garage and windows, and do some basic maintenance to address any other issues that may have popped up over the winter. Here are some of things on my spring to-do list to keep my house intact and running efficiently:
Inspect the roof
I have asphalt shingles on my roof, and they are certainly subject to damage from wind, hail, and water. The roof is the first line of defense against water, so making sure it is in good repair is very important.
How I do it: I like to hop up there in the spring and make sure there are no damaged or missing shingles (I also do this after hail storms we are prone to get in Colorado). If there are, I will call a licensed roofer to handle the repairs to make sure no water is getting into our home.
Clean the gutters
The gutters and downspouts are designed to divert water away from our house to prevent water from collecting around the foundation. Clogged gutters and downspouts can also cause wood trim to rot, which give critters access to the attic.
How I do it: I clean ours in the spring and in the fall to make sure they are running freely. It is easy to do with a blower, hose, or your hands (but wear gloves – you never know what may be in there).
Check the sprinkler system
I am big on having a nice lawn so my sprinklers and drip irrigation are important to keeping everything looking its best.
How I do it: I always run the system through all the zones and walk around the yard, making sure no sprinkler heads are broken. I also adjust the heads that are spraying the wrong way (there is always one or two that want to water the sidewalk and street) to avoid wasting water. (Sidenote: I also try to water early in the morning or later in the evening when it is cooler so water is not wasted in the hottest parts of the day).
Heads that are hitting the house or fence can also cause damage. I have been working with sprinklers for a long time, so I typically do this myself. But if you are not sure how, or you have bigger issues like burst pipes around the backflow, best to call in a pro.
Check seals around windows and doors
Sometimes harsh winter weather can harden or crack caulk around windows and weather seals around doors. This can drive up cooling costs in the summer and let water in.
How I do it: I like to inspect all the seals in the spring then make any needed repairs. This is one I can almost always do myself after a quick run to the hardware store.
Inspect the driveway and sidewalk
Dramatic temperature swings that cause freezing and thawing is brutal on concrete. Large cracks are a safety hazard and possible liability concern for homeowners.
How I do it: After the snow and ice has melted (and there’s little chance of it returning, although this is always a toss-up in Colorado), I take a quick tour of the paved surfaces to see if there are any new issues. This one is out of my skill set, so I suggest a professional to make any needed repairs.
Other things to consider
I also like to wash the windows inside and out (ok, to be honest, my wife does this one). It makes the house look nice and allows more light to come in.
I would also suggest checking for any peeling paint as that can lead to water damage. Other tasks include:
- Having your A/C unit serviced and filters replaced
- Cleaning out dryer vents
- Checking the washing machine fill hose
- Cleaning and fixing damaged screens
- Replacing smoke detector batteries
Hopefully this gives you some ideas to help avoid costly damage to your property by doing some maintenance around the house this spring. If nothing else, now you have plans for next (and maybe the next after that) weekend!