When spring’s bright sunshine finally appears after a long and dark winter, it can be a breath of fresh air. The only downside? All of that sunshine will highlight leaf-filled gutters, dead plants, and exterior home damage that occurred from the harsh winter months.
Spring is the ideal time to inspect your home for any damage that ice and snow may have caused. And, it is the perfect time to make sure that all warm weather necessities, like air conditioning units and lawn care equipment, are ready to be utilized for the warmer months. Before the summer season rolls in, make sure you’ve put in the time and effort to spruce up the exterior of your house so you’ll be more motivated to spend the sunny days outside. From essential yard work to protecting your gutter system, here’s your official spring home maintenance guide by LeafFilter:
Trim the Trees
Ice storms and heavy snow can wreak havoc on your trees, so before the leaves begin to grow, take a look around for any dead branches or places that need to be trimmed. It is a lot easier to spot these areas when trees aren’t fully bloomed. Also, if dead branches are looming over your home, debris or leaves will begin to fall, accumulating in gutters and causing water to backup. Consider hiring a professional to trim branches if this project seems like too much to handle.
Repair the Roof
A long winter can prove to be devastating for your roof, and if you don’t take the time to adequately inspect it once the weather gets nice, disaster could be looming. Take an afternoon to head up on the roof and give everything a look over. Keep an eye out for any cracks that will need sealing or any moss or mold that might be accumulating. Act on problem areas sooner rather than later in order to save time and money.
Gauge the Gutters
Gutters are the unsung heroes of home maintenance. Proper gutter cleaning and maintenance will prevent serious home damage such as basement flooding and foundation damage. Often overlooked, it is important to make sure that your downspouts drain away from the foundation and gutters are free of debris. Also, take the time to thoroughly look over your gutter system so there’s no cracks or loose screws that are apparent. If you haven’t taken action to protect your gutter system, consider having a micromesh gutter protection system such as LeafFilter installed to prevent clogged gutters. Included with every LeafFilter installation is a free gutter cleaning and alignment. Once your gutter system is protected with our gutter guards, you will no longer have to worry about gutter cleaning again.
Wash the Windows
Shiny and clear windows can make a huge difference in the appearance of your home. Take a few hours on a nice day to give windows a nice washing – sit back and admire during a family barbecue in the backyard.
Caulk the Cracks
Cracks can pop up in your house’s exterior walls from just about anything, and can be easily overlooked. Even the smallest of cracks will need to be addressed by applying some sealants. This is especially important during a hot summer, when trying to keep cool air inside.
Assess the Appliances
Try to find time to give yard appliances and tools a quick evaluation to make sure they’re in good condition before they’re put to the test. Clean the coils of the air conditioning unit and switch out the filters if they’re too dirty. Give the lawn mower an inspection and replace any spark plugs or sharpen the blades if need be. Finally, assess the outdoor faucet to see if water discharges smoothly before attaching a hose to it. Easy maintenance steps like these will increase the life of your appliances!
After completing this spring home maintenance to-do list, it is time to fire up the grill and load the cooler with beer – it’s been a long cold winter, and it’s time to sit out in the backyard and enjoy that sunshine!
