The weather is perfect for getting things done outside and around the house. To help you maintain your gorgeous home, I have put together a simple spring home maintenance checklist so you can tackle those little routine tasks that help keep your home comfortable, safe, and beautiful.
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist: Outside
Check the roof for debris
It is a good idea to check your roof for debris left by storms and high winds regularly. You can choose certain intervals (like in spring and fall) or more frequently, such as after major storms. Remove any branches, leaves, and other debris from your roof and look for any signs of damage to your shingles or roofing material. If you have loose or broken shingles, you should have them repaired. Missing or broken shingles can lead to wind or water damage to your roof.
Clean gutters & downspouts
One easy way to check your roof for debris is to look while cleaning your gutters and downspouts since you will have a good vantage point. Cleaning your gutters is crucial for ensuring that water runs smoothly off your roof and away from your foundation. Clogged gutters could lead to water damage to your roof and foundation, resulting in leaks or indoor flooding.
Make sure your downspouts are working properly by using a hose to simulate rainfall. The water should flow down the spout and away from your foundation and any other structures.
Clean your deck
Deck maintenance is essential for keeping your outdoor space looking good and increasing the lifespan of your deck. Your deck’s maintenance will depend largely on the type of deck that you have. If you have a composite deck, you have an easy job! You can easily wash your deck with dish soap and water or a specialized deck cleaner. As you are washing your deck, look for any loose boards that need to be fixed.
If you have a wood deck, you may need to wash your deck and then seal or paint it. If you make this a regular part of your yearly spring home maintenance, it will help your deck last a lot longer. At some point, however, your wood decking will need to be replaced. Keep an eye out for warped or cracked boards. If you only have one or two, you can easily replace them, but it may be time for a new deck if you have several.
Check for termites
These wood-boring creatures can lead to a ton of damage, so it is a good idea to see if you can spot any signs that you may have termites.
Look for buckling wood, areas that look like they may have slight water damage, and visible mazes on wooden deck or dock posts. If you smell mildew or mold but do not see any, this could also be a sign of a termite infestation.
Also, because termites tend to swarm during spring, keep your eyes peeled for an influx of unwanted pests.
Clean around your AC compressor unit
Leaves and other debris around your outdoor AC compressor unit can impact how well your AC works and its lifespan. Take a moment to remove any debris that has gathered. Consider getting a cover for your unit to reduce the chances of things getting into your compressor during cooler months. If you already have one, remember to take it off before turning on your AC for the first time this season!
Look for any damage to the structure
If you have siding on your home, look to see if there is any damage that needs to be addressed. You do not want to have spaces where water can get trapped.
If you have stucco, look for peeling paint, cracks, or bubbling and patch as needed. Just like with the siding, if water gets into those cracks, they can make the damage worse or cause other types of damage to the structure of your home.
Check driveways and sidewalks
Changes in weather conditions can lead to cracks in your driveway or sidewalks. Walk around your property and see if there are any issues you need to address.
Test your sprinklers
If you have a sprinkler system, run it to ensure all of your sprinklers are working correctly.
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist: Inside
AC Maintenance
One of the worst things that can happen during a Florida summer is having your AC die. To help keep your family cool and comfortable, be sure to have your AC serviced yearly. Your HVAC technician can ensure you have enough freon and that everything is working properly. Swap out your filter regularly as well. If you have pets or if anyone in your household has allergies, you may want to swap out your AC filter monthly.
Test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
While most smoke and carbon monoxide detectors will emit a beep when they need a new battery, you will still want to check that they are working. Check your manufacturer’s instructions for doing so. In most cases, you will likely just need to press a button. Also, check to make sure you have extra 9v batteries (or whichever batteries your detectors call for) so that you do not get caught by surprise by those low-battery beeps. No one likes a smoke detector chirping at 2 AM!
Dust your ceiling fans
If you have not been using your ceiling fans, make sure to dust the blades before turning them on. Otherwise, you may get a dusty surprise once you turn them on. You will want to use a wet cloth and slowly wipe away from the center of the fan. This will hopefully minimize the amount of dust that falls from the blades.
Schedule rug and curtain cleaning
We tend to think about our rugs needing to be cleaned since we walk on them so frequently; however, we may not think about all the dust our curtains and drapes are collecting. Why not schedule a cleaning for both of them and knock two things off your to-do list at once? Depending on the material your curtains or drapes are made from, you may actually be able to wash or steam them at home. Check the label for cleaning instructions. Otherwise, you can easily have a professional handle it for you.
I hope this checklist helps you get your home spring-ready!