After enduring a long, cold winter, your home will be ready for some springtime maintenance to prepare for the warmer months. If your home’s interior and exterior needs a bit of TLC, follow these spring home maintenance tips.
Air Duct and HVAC Cleaning
Spring is a beautiful season, but the allergies that come along with it can be a pain. You can help reduce the impact of indoor allergies by clearing your home of particles that irritate your sinuses. You can clean air ducts yourself by using a vacuum, a cleaning brush, a screwdriver, and some paper towels.
First, loosen up the dust by turning on the “fan” function of your HVAC system to help move dust closer to the registers. Then, turn off the HVAC system. Use a screwdriver to remove vent grates and wash them. Once the vent grates are off, use your cleaning brush to knock off any debris stuck to the sides of the vent, and then vacuum the remaining dust. Finally, replace the vent grates.
Seal Up Doors and Windows
Cold air, snow, and ice can wreak havoc on the areas around your doors and windows, so check those seals and make sure they’re intact. Air leaks can increase your energy costs down the line, especially during the summer when the A/C is running. Scrape off damaged caulk before replacing it with a fresh coat, and be sure to use the correct material for exterior or interior seals.
Care for Exterior Siding and Paint
Once all the snow and ice has melted, you want your home to look its best. Examine your siding and paint to determine what needs to be redone. If you have vinyl siding that’s showing signs of mold, consider cleaning it with a solution of water and vinegar, and replace siding or trim that’s already rotted.
Chimney Check
If you used your fireplace during the winter, spring is the time to clean and maintain your chimney. You can hire a chimney sweep to inspect and clean the flue, but you can also make sure that there are no cracks, mold, or crumbling masonry around the chimney. Clean the grates, tiles, and doors; check for damage to the liner; and, verify that the damper opens and closes properly.
Fill In Low Areas of Your Lawn
Spring rains may cause flooding problems if your lawn isn’t level, but you can avoid this issue by using compacted soil to fill in low areas. Making sure your lawn is properly graded can prevent damage to grass and garden areas, and decrease the risk of flooding or water damage to your foundation.
Inspect Concrete
Your home’s concrete foundation needs a thorough inspection at least once per year. Check your driveway and walkways for cracks. You can replace any pavers that are damaged, and patch up an asphalt driveway. Look for cracks on the exterior and interior of your concrete foundation, and call in a professional for assistance.
Check Sump Pump
With the heavy rains of the spring season, it’s a good idea to make sure your sump pump is functioning correctly to avoid a flooded basement. To make sure it works, you can trip the sump pump manually, or dump a large bucket of water into the basin to see that the pump kicks on. You don’t want to discover it doesn’t work when heavy rains arrive!
If you have concerns about proper spring home maintenance, or want to schedule a professional inspection, contact South Sound Inspections today.
