General Home Maintenance for Springtime

General home maintenance is important to make sure your home is in tip-top shape and lasts a long time. Below are some good maintenance tips to perform on your home.

1.    Change your air filters.

Air filters remove dust, dirt, smoke, viruses, debris, and other particles from the air that can cause respiratory illnesses, skin disorders and allergies. It is a good idea to replace your air filters every 3 months.

2.    Power-wash siding and windows.

As winter weather comes to an end, wash your windows and the siding of your house from any leftover winter weather grime.

3.    Remove leaves and other debris from gutters.

Before the storm season begins, it is a good idea to check your gutters and remove any leaves or debris that might be trapped in there. This will allow water to drain properly from your roof.

4.    Clean out your storm shelter.

Unfortunately, storm season is upon us. As March approaches, it is a good idea to clean out your storm shelter so that you are prepared to take proper precautions in the event of a bad storm.

5.    Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide.

You should be checking your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors periodically. To test your CO detector, press and hold the test button on the alarm. The detector should beep four times and then repeat itself. To test your smoke detectors, press and hold the test button. Wait a few seconds, then a loud piercing siren should emanate from the detector. If the sound is weak or nonexistent, then it is time to replace the batteries.

6.    Inspect your chimney and have cleaned professionally, if necessary.

You are probably not going to be using your fireplace during Springtime, but it is a good idea to check it after the winter months are gone. Check for birds’ nests or buildup on the cap, make sure to remove any tree limbs nearby, and make sure all the bricks and mortar are still intact.

7.    Repair or replace caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors.

If you have older windows, it is a good idea to caulk around windows – both interior and exterior sides. Windows require a seal on both sides to prevent air leaks and moisture problems.

8.    Check your sprinkler system.

If you have a sprinkler system; now if a great time to make sure all the nozzles work.

9.    Work on your lawn.

You might need to fertilize your lawn in preparation of Spring. Fertilizing your lawn is a great way to insure you have a lush, green yard.

10. Prune trees and shrubs

Prune your trees and shrubs to stimulate growth. You can do this by cutting thin and wayward branches.