Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
Most of us are prepared with our spring-cleaning checklist but preparing your home for the changing seasons goes beyond a deep clean. With warm weather ahead and winter frosts soon behind, it’s time to put together your spring-maintenance checklist.
Spring Maintenance Checklist for Your Home
Give your home a complete inspection by following these tips for spring home maintenance and make sure your home is ready for summer and check out another one of our blogs for more plumbing specific spring maintenance.
Check gutters and downspouts
It’s important that your gutters and downspouts are cleaned and repaired early in the season to prevent damage from spring rains. Once cleaned, make sure the water flows freely and away from your house and that there’s no pooling around your foundation.
Check exterior woodwork
Outdoor wood structures such as decks, fences, railings, trellises and pergolas last longer if stained or resealed at lease every other year.
Check roof
Minnesota winters are harsh and can take quite a toll on roofs. Start with a visual inspection and look for missing shingles, damage or anything that doesn’t look right. Shingles that are cracked, buckled, loose or missing granules should be replaced. Damage to flashing around plumbing vents, skylights and chimneys should be checked and repaired by a qualified roofer.
Check outside faucets
Check you outside water and hose faucets for signs of freeze damage. Turn the water on and place your thumb or finger over the opening. If that can stop the flow of water, the pipe inside your home may be damaged. Call a trusted plumber to inspect your pipes and determine if they need to be replaced or repaired.
Check sprinkler and irrigation systems
Turn your sprinkler system back on and run it through all zones manually while you look for broken or damaged heads and any heads that are spraying in the wrong direction and repair or adjust. If you’re not sure how to maintain your sprinkler system call a professional to do it for you. It’ll save money and water in the long run.
Check AC unit
Clean coils operate more efficiently, and an annual service call from a qualified heating and cooling contractor will keep your unit in peak condition. Also remember to change out your interior filters regularly.
Check power equipment
Before you need to use them for the first time, check all your lawn equipment to make sure it will run properly. Tune up motors, clean and sharpen blades and replace dead batteries.
Check sump pump
Prepare for spring floods and rains by making sure your sump pump is ready to handle the extra water. Clean, then test your sump pump by pouring a bucket of water down it. Make sure the water is pumped away quickly. Click here for a more complete spring sump pump check list.
Check for leaks
Look for and repair leaky faucets, clogged drains and sweaty pipes. Take a peek under the kitchen and bathroom sinks, around your dishwasher, hot water heater, laundry tub and washing machines for properly sealed connections, any signs of wetness and cracks or bulges in hoses. If you see any issues and are unsure of how to fix them, be sure to give to call a certified plumber near you before any leaks or water damage get worse.
Check smoke detectors
Spring is also a good time to change out batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Check your fire extinguishers as well. Make sure they are still intact with the needle in the green zone.
Check off a home inspection
It’s never a bad idea to schedule regular home inspections. An annual inspection from a trusted plumber can keep your home running smoothly, catch issues before they become problems and save you time and money in the long run. If you haven’t had a plumber check your drains and pipes lately, it may be a great idea to schedule an annual cleaning this spring. If you are in the Minneapolis, MN area and need a plumber you can count on, call One Hour Rooter at 612-354-8984 or contact us online.
