When we talk about spring checklists, so often our minds go to “spring cleaning” rather than “home maintenance.” That said, as winter comes to a close and the weather warms, your home is likely in need of some attention! Be sure to include the following items in your routine spring maintenance checklist to make sure your home is ready to handle the upcoming summer months.
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Put a Fresh Coat of Paint on the Front Door
Your front door is often the first impression you make on visitors to your home, so be sure it’s a good one! If its paint is chipping or looking a little worn, it’s probably time for a refresh. And now that the weather is warm enough (above 50 degrees), springtime is the perfect season to give the entryway into your home some attention.For best results, remove the door from its hinges and take off the hinges, handle and any other hardware. Be sure to give the existing paint a thorough scraping to remove any rough patches, and then a good cleaning to make sure the fresh coat of paint adheres to the surface with a smooth finish. Before picking a new color, check out these suggestions to find the perfect fit for you!
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Prepare Your Air Conditioner
The summer months will be here before you know it, and with it, summer heat! Here in Colorado, we know temperatures tend to fluctuate (and quickly!), so it’s best to be prepared before that first scorcher.First, be sure to turn off the electricity to the outdoor unit. Then, clear away all lawn debris, like dead leaves, overgrown plants and grass, in a perimeter two feet around the unit. Next, it’s time to bust out the vacuum. Give the unit’s exterior a thorough once-over with a soft-bristled brush. Do the same indoors on the blower unit, and be sure the condensation drain is clear. Give it a test run, and if there are any issues with performance, it’s time to call in a professional for a closer look.
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Check (And Clean!) the Gutters
Nobody likes pulling out clumps of rotting leaves and twigs from their house’s gutters, but worse than that is the structural damage and molding that can occur from trapped moisture if this task is neglected! Also be sure to check the structural integrity of the gutters. Are they damaged? Detached from the roof? Leaking? If so, they need to be repaired to ensure proper drainage. A great way to check gutter performance is by running a hose up to your roof and monitoring the flow of water through the downspouts.
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Inspect the Roof and Chimney
And since you’ve already gotten the ladder out, you might as well get all the way up on the roof and give it a look over. Any noticeable damage should be repaired by a professional roofer (see our Homeowner Contractor Connection for a recommendation!), as your roof is responsible for much of your home’s structural integrity. (Again, nobody likes leaking or molding!) Speaking of leaking, if you have a stone or brick chimney, be sure to check that there are no gaps or missing pieces. Sometimes chimneys with water permeation will develop white deposits, or even have vegetation growing out of them. Be sure this isn’t the case, and if it is, be sure to remove the debris and re-seal it with a water-resistant masonry material.
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Check for Holes in Screen Doors
With warmer weather comes spring visitors, and not always the welcome kind! Mosquitoes, spiders, and other flying and crawling bugs can easily squeeze through holes in screen doors, so be sure to give them a thorough “screening” before opening exterior doors to the outside world. If holes are dime sized or larger, either repair or replace the screen. (If you opt to replace the screen, you can save the old screen to spot-patch the new one as it wears out.)
While this list isn’t exhaustive by any means, these five items will get you started on the transition from winter hibernation to summer enjoyment, and keep your house looking and functioning well in the process. Happy spring!
