Spring has sprung and with it comes lots of work to get your home and property ready for the warm weather. Whether you’re cleaning out the gutters or taking care of your windows, there is a lot that needs to be done. Let’s take a closer look at some spring maintenance tips.
Clean Out the Gutters
Now is the perfect time to clean out your gutters. The weather is warm, and chances are all the old leaves and debris have fallen.
After you clean them out, you may want to consider installing covers to prevent your gutters from becoming clogged in the future. We ended up having to get new gutters after a big hail storm in 2016, and it only cost $1 per linear foot to add covers to the gutters. We added them, since we have a two-story home, which makes it more dangerous to reach the gutters.
Change Out the HVAC Filter
It’s good to do things around your home at the same time so that you remember to get it done. For example, you can get 6-month or 12-month HVAC filters and then it’s easier to remember to change them out. With spring, you may want to consider using an air filter that filters out allergens.
Since we live in Texas where our AC unit really gets a workout during the summer, we have an annual maintenance plan with our AC company. We pay them an annual fee, and they come out in the spring and fall to check our AC unit/heat pump and perform any maintenance or tune ups on the unit. I also buy an air filter before they come to replace it for me. That way I remember to do it twice per year.
Take Care of Windows
With the warmer weather, you can finally remove the insulation kits from your windows and let in some fresh air. After removing the plastic, clean your windows and screens and inspect the screens. If any need repaired, do so now. This will prevent bugs from getting into your home.
Check Your Irrigation for Damage
If you have a sprinkler system, you'll want to check it for any damage after winter. Run a test of the entire system, looking for any possible leaks, broken sprinkler heads, etc. If you have any issues, you can try to fix them yourself or call your local irrigation expert for help.
Apply Weed Control to Your Lawn
You should apply a crabgrass preventer to your lawn when the temperature of your soil reaches between 50 and 55 degrees at a depth of 1 to 2 inches. You can use this site to find out when your area hits that soil temp on average. If you have any weeds left over from winter, you can also apply weed killer to get rid of those weeds also. Or you can scalp your lawn (by lowering your blade) to get rid of many weeds. Most winter weeds will die off on their own once the temperature starts hitting about 85 degrees.
Check for Termite Activity
If you live in the south, there's a good chance that there are termites at least somewhere in your area. Be on the lookout for signs of termites (like winged insects swarming around your house). If you do see evidence of termites, hire a pest control company to help you take care of them and prevent future damage.
We have Sentricon stations set up around the perimeter of our home as a preventative for termites. Basically, they are baiting stations that are meant to wipe out entire colonies.
Give Your Home a Good Wash
Once the weather is warm enough, use a pressure washer to clean the outside of your home. Clean the siding, porches, decks, etc. This is something you’ll definitely want to do if your paint needs a touchup or redo.
Touch Up the Paint (or Stain)
Once your home is clean, you can touch up the paint and stain around your home. You never want to paint before cleaning the area. This will just cause the paint to come off easier. If you’re going to be painting your entire home, make sure to give yourself more time than you think you’ll need. This isn’t a quick task.
If you have a deck or fence that needs to be restained, spring is the perfect time to do it. Outdoor wood will last longer and look better if you stain and/or reseal it every year or so.
Inspect the Roof
Last, but not least, check your roof for any loose or damaged shingles. Winter weather can be hard on roofs. You want to make sure you catch any problems and repair them immediately. A small leak can quickly turn into a huge problem.
Spring is a wonderful time to take care of the outside of your home. The weather isn’t too hot and it’s a way to spend some time outdoors doing something active.
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