Home Maintenance Tasks for the Spring Season
Spring is the perfect season for property owners to freshen up their homes. This involves the traditional home spring cleaning, but also home maintenance. After all, many household items need upkeep or repair once winter has passed. Here are six home maintenance tasks for spring.
Changing the Air Conditioner Filter
Doing so at least once a month puts less stress on the unit and allows it to work at maximum efficiency. A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter should be used. It traps microscopic particles like mould, pollen, and dust. To replace the air filter, homeowners should turn off the unit, remove the old filter, and then put the new filter in following the instructions on its packaging. The AC unit should also be serviced before summer begins.
Maintaining Gutters and Downspouts
Keeping gutters and downspouts clean and in good shape helps prevent household water damage. First, homeowners should remove debris from the gutters using their hands or a garden trowel. Then a garden hose can be used to wash any remaining gunk away. Other things to do include fixing sagging gutters and gutter leaks. Next, the downspouts should be checked for clogs by inserting a garden hose in each of them. In case of a clog, it can be removed using a plumber’s drain snake.
Checking for Animal Damage
This is done because cold weather can drive animals such as squirrels, rats, raccoons, and opossums to find shelter in the home. They do all kinds of damage to get into the attic, basement, or garden shed. Homeowners should look for signs of chewing on exterior vents, wiring, and building materials. To prevent these critters from entering the home, any entry points should be sealed and attic vents must be covered with solid materials. Also, the trees around the home should be trimmed.
Cleaning the Garage
Homeowners can sort out the stuff in the garage into things to keep, to give away or sell, and to throw away or recycle. The floor can be pressure washed, sealed or painted. The walls can also be painted. Storage space can be saved by installing hanging racks, storage shelves, and ropes or pulleys.
Cleaning the Fireplace
All wood-burning fireplaces should be given a makeover at the start of spring. This can be accomplished by removing any ash and charred logs using fireplace tools, and cleaning the fireplace surround. Once the fireplace is clean, the area around it should be covered with a tarp. A professional chimney sweep should be hired to clean the chimney.
Checking Window and Door Screens
As it gets warmer outside, it’s important to prevent insects from entering the home. This means checking for holes in the window and door screens. Any holes that are bigger than the size of a quarter should be patched. Homeowners should also fasten the screens, lubricate door hinges, and replace broken hardware.
During spring, the risk of thunderstorms and flooding increases dramatically. Here’s how to prevent spring flooding and how to prepare for spring storms. The PuroClean team stands ready to provide professional restoration services to any property affected by fire, water or mould damage.
