Springtime Home Maintenance

Springtime is a great time of year to dig out the old gardening gloves, take out the toolbox, and get to work on sprucing up the house for events of the upcoming seasons. After a long fall and winter, household projects that have awaited some doting and attention can finally be tended to without harsh temperatures and blustery weather impeding the job. For this year’s eye on the springtime maintenance list, we’ll take a look at some key tasks, the benefits of each, and what tools you’ll need in order to address them properly.

Get a Handle on the Gutters

Gutters take a beating during the colder seasons, when trees lose their leaves and shrubbery is blown about. In order to ensure that April showers have brought only May flowers—and not also a leak in your roof—now is a great time to ensure your gutters are working properly. This is an easy enough do-it-yourself project that just about anyone can tackle. All you need is a sturdy ladder, some thick gloves, and a hose with a sprayer to help you blast out lingering mud and debris.

While you’re up near your roof, this is also a great time to take a survey and look for loose shingles, branches that are lying about, or pools of standing water. These can be an indication that a call to your roofer is in order to prevent a potential problem in the integrity of your overhead protection.

Grapple the Grout

While you’re taking your cleaning to a higher level, now is also a good time to take a closer peek at the grout in floor tiles, backsplashes, and counters. Look for new cracks that may have occurred during the season changes in humidity and seal them before they begin to spread. Check the bathtub and trim in showers and sinks to look for any sign of leaking or mold. Catching a small problem now can save thousands of dollars later. Grout repair is an easy do-it-yourself task that takes nothing more than gloves, grout, and some grout sealant.
Shape up Shrubbery

Overgrown foliage can lead to standing water, homes for pests, and foundation and siding problems. Trim any shrubs and branches away from the foundation and exterior of your house. This can help prevent pests from using your home as a shelter and can keep moisture and mold from growing. Remove vines and roots before they crack your siding and foundations.

This clipping process goes for the lawn as well. Rake up leaves and pull up weeds before the summer’s rays get to them and ruin your landscape. Clear out any dead bushes to allow the sun to get to new growth and take this time to plant your posies.

Survey Sills and Doorjambs

Take this time to examine doors and windows that have been locked closed through colder months. Check the corners and the paint, and re-seal any openings before rains get a chance to bring new moisture into the house. Taking care of this item now can be a lifesaver come next winter when the job of sealing drafty areas is a cold and burdensome one.

Clean out Clutter

Now is the time to pull out everything you’ve been stowing away for the winter and setting up that garage sale. Cleaning clutter is a two-fold benefit. Not only does it provide room for new items and the peace-of-mind that comes with an organized space, it can help you identify pest problems that have been tucked out of sight during the winter. Larger rodents can often nest in packed-away cardboard boxes. This goes for outside areas as well. Remove clutter that’s stored near the home’s exterior that can be housing mold, rust, and small packs of pests.

Peruse the Plumbing

While you’re clearing out clutter is also a great time to get under cabinets and crawlspaces to take a look at your plumbing. If you see any leaks or notice wet spots growing around pipes or bulges in the floors or walls, this is an indication it may be time to call in the plumber. Plumbing is one area where a professional is an important part of the process. Because plumbing issues (much like electrical) can become a costly and devastating problem, getting a professional eye on your pipes is well worth the price.

Most springtime maintenance can be easily tackled by a homeowner with nothing more than a few tools, a good pair of gloves, and some elbow grease. Spring cleaning is a great chance to do a spot check of important areas such as plumbing, roofing, storage, and a home’s perimeter to prevent potential problems down the line. And with warmer weather and sunlight to support the endeavor, it’s also a great way to stretch those legs and reconnect yourself with the health of your home. Enjoy!