Spring Home Maintenance

The first thing you will want to do to maintain your home this spring is head outdoors. You will want to take a good long look at the exterior of your home, and not just by walking around. Get out a ladder and look at the roof. It is important to inspect your roof for any damage that may have occurred during the cold months of adverse weather. Also, while you are up on your ladder, check out the gutters as they tend to collect debris and leaves as the weather changes. Any clogs or build ups in your gutters can lead to damage for your home as water gets backed up. Give those gutters a thorough cleaning so that your house will be ready for the months to come. Next, you will want to examine the rest of the exterior of your home. Do you see any damage that needs repair or window or door frames that have leaks or cracks? These types of things should be repaired as quickly as possible as they make your home less energy efficient and will cost more on your monthly utility bills. Once you have thoroughly examined and repaired your home, it is time to look around your yard. Have things become overgrown and unkempt? Now is the time to trim back all the bushes and cut the grass so that it will grow in more nicely in warmer temperatures. The leaves have probably begun to pile up by now, so break out the rake and get to work. Get rid of all those piles of leaves so that your yard has room to breathe and grow now. Now you can head indoors and take a look around. One important thing to do that many people forget is to change is air filters. Air filters should be changed often so that your HVAC system can continue to run efficiently and help keep heating and cooling costs down as well as properly heat and cool your home. Another house item that often takes a beating during the winter months is the refrigerator. It is used often for holiday entertaining and because people are just staying home more during the winter. Take the time to thoroughly clean your refrigerator and vacuum the refrigerator coils as they tend to collect dust. Lastly, it is important to check your smoke detector batteries often to ensure they are working correctly. Smoke detectors save lives every day and it is good to check them frequently to protect you and your family. By doing these things, you can keep your house running properly and avoid costly repairs.]]>