As winter thaws and the sun comes out, you probably start considering your garden and planning for summer vacations. While you're excited to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, it's equally important to remember that your home needs special care during this season. It's endured winter storms, protected you from ice and snow and kept you warm through the cold weather.
In the spring, your foundation and hardscaping should be looked over for cracks, your roof may need repair, and your HVAC system may need refreshing. Spring is often eventful, and it can be challenging to balance the upkeep with a busy schedule. We've put together this spring home maintenance checklist to help you care for your home this season.
Interior Spring Home Maintenance
Something about this time of year inspires people to spring clean. You can take advantage of that momentum to give your home the care it needs to function well through the summer! Here are 10 spring home maintenance tips to get you started:
- Open the windows to bring fresh air inside. When the temperatures warm up, open windows and doors on opposite sides of your home to create a cross breeze that carries fresh air inside and wafts old air out.
- Test GFI circuits. Test GFI circuits monthly to ensure they turn off when overloaded. You can use the “test” and “reset” buttons to test the circuit after plugging in an appliance.
- Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. You should check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every month. Use the test button to make sure these alarms work and replace batteries when needed.
- Clean your HVAC system. Prepare your air conditioning before summer by replacing air filters, scheduling a professional inspection, and cleaning your home's HVAC ducts.
- Inspect your chimney. If you have a chimney, spring is the perfect time to get it cleaned and inspected. You should have confidence it's ready for use in the fall when it gets chilly again.
- Vacuum refrigerator and freezer coils. Dirty coils can't evaporate heat as quickly, so your refrigerator has to work harder and use more energy to keep food cold. Quickly vacuuming the dust away can extend the life of your appliances.
- Check window tracks and screens. Since you'll be using your windows more during the spring and summer, it's a good time to vacuum out any dust and make sure they're clean.
- Clean sink traps and disposal. You can run ice through your garbage disposal to sharpen and clean it. To clean your sink trap, let baking soda and vinegar run down the drain. After letting it sit, run boiling water down the drain to wash out the trap.
- Dust ceiling fans, drapes and cabinets. While the spring cleaning fever is motivating you, try to dust every surface in your home. Don't forget about the hard-to-reach areas like ceiling fans and cabinet tops.
- Deep clean your home. Wipe down your appliances with vinegar and hot water, and mop your floors. Move furniture and organize cabinets you don't usually open. The extent to which you deep clean is up to you!
Cleaning the inside of your home is a great way to welcome spring. Bring in fresh air, reduce dust, and update your air conditioning system so you're ready to enjoy the warm weather that's coming.
Exterior Spring Home Maintenance
As the weather continues to warm up, it's easier to get outside and complete some exterior maintenance. Use this exterior home maintenance spring checklist to prepare your yard and home for summer.
- Schedule pest control services. Critters come out when the weather gets warm, so it's important to schedule pest control services during the spring. Preventive care can save time and stress by keeping insects and rodents away from your home.
- Check your siding for any damage. Winter storms can cause damage and wear to the outside of your home. Look over the siding for any issues so you can make necessary repairs.
- Wash windows. Spring is the perfect time to wash your windows. You're going to spend more time looking outside and letting sunshine in, so you're more likely to notice spots during this time of year.
- Inspect your roof for damage. Your roof can take a battering during winter storms. You should hire a professional to check your roof for any damage and necessary repairs once the weather improves.
- Clean and flush gutters. Before it starts raining heavily in the spring, it's important to clean out your gutters and downspouts. Hire a professional for this if you're not comfortable climbing up a tall ladder.
- Inspect concrete areas for cracks. The freeze and thaw of winter can cause cracks in your driveway and sidewalk. Spring is a good time to repair these with filler or caulk.
- Fill in low areas near the foundation with soil. To avoid water pooling around your home's foundation, level the ground against your foundation with soil. Try to create a downward slope so water flows away from your home.
- Rake the yard and clean up winter debris. Before your grass starts growing, rake the yard to remove sticks from the winter. It will be easier to mow and keep your lawn healthy once you've cleared it of debris.
- Prepare new garden beds for summer. Improve your yard by adding new mulch, planting flowers, and pruning trees and bushes. Getting a head start in the spring sets your lawn up for optimal growth during the summer.
- Check the sprinkler system. Make sure your sprinkler system isn't clogged or leaking so it's ready to keep your lawn and garden healthy over the warmer months.
Cleaning the outside of your home ensures everything is ready for you to enjoy the warmer weather. You can make any repairs for your home and prep your lawn and garden for new growth.
Enjoy Spring Weather In Your New Keystone Custom Home
When the spring winds blow, you could be enjoying life in a brand-new Keystone Custom Home. We offer over 35 Designer-inspired floorplans with customizable finishing options so you can create a home you love. Our communities are located from the mid-Atlantic to the Southeast, offering you many options for a beautiful home base.
At Keystone Custom Homes, we take you through choosing a homesite and floorplan, customizing the space, and constructing the finished product. Once the project is complete, we'll walk through your finished home with you to ensure everything is perfect. Call 717-368-9831 to request an appointment and start your new home journey today!
