Spring Home Maintenance Tips

A Season for DIY: Spring Home Maintenance Tips

Spring is a time of renewal, a promising new beginning after months of cold and claustrophobic living. Traditionally, spring is also a time for cleaning and organizing your home. On the surface, it may not sound like something to get excited about. However, when approached with a healthy attitude and an open mind, spring cleaning can be an energizing ritual that helps you shift into an optimistic frame of mind as the days get longer and the sun shines more often. Here are a few spring cleaning tasks that are ready-made if you’re a DIYer.

Check Out the Sump Pump

It’s not the more appealing DIY task, but the sump pump is something you do not want to ignore. Heavy spring rains are a fact of life in many parts of the country. If that includes your area, be aware that a damaged sump pump can leave you knee-deep in brackish, smelly water in the basement. Make it one of the first items on your to-do checklist so it doesn’t get overlooked. Inspect the pump for any signs of damage, and make sure the outlet pipe that channels water outside is undamaged, with no blockage. Your pump should be plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter so it doesn’t short out if submerged.

Clean the Deck

You’ll want to enjoy time outside on your deck as soon as the weather’s warm enough to permit it. However, you don’t want to be surrounded by grime, mold, and bird feces, so be sure to pressure wash the entire surface. If you don’t own a pressure washer, you can rent a medium-duty unit from the local hardware store for an average of about $71 a day. It’s an affordable endeavor and well worth the pleasure of relaxing out back with a cold beer or iced tea while the barbecued ribs are cooking on the grill.

Air Conditioner Maintenance

Spring is a perfect time for giving your air conditioning unit a close look, especially if you’re in a hot and humid part of the country. You don’t want a nasty surprise on that first 90-degree day when you fire up the AC for the first time. Turn the unit on and listen for any unusual noises, like a loud clicking, rattling, or high-pitched whining sound.

Also, make sure there isn’t an accumulation of leaves, sticks, and lawn debris inside the unit, and clear a two-foot swath all the way around the unit so there’s adequate air flow. Remember, if any DIY project looks too complex, don’t hesitate to call a service pro. Always spend some time researching and comparing prices and services to find the right contractor.

Time for the Ladder

It may not be your favorite task, especially if you’re a little shaky on a ladder, but you’ll need to check your roof for winter-related damage. Look for loose or damaged shingles, which can sometimes be repaired or replaced with a good hammer and roofing nails or a utility knife. While you’re up there, why not clean out those gutters so water runoff drains properly. If you lack an extension ladder or detect serious roof or gutter damage, call a professional roofer ASAP.

Summer’s on the Way

As long as you’re in DIY mode prepping for spring, why not look ahead to summer? Make sure your attic and crawl space venting is unblocked and that air flow is unimpeded. Check doors and windows for air leaks to make sure your cooling system doesn’t waste money. And trim away any tree branches that sustained damage during the winter.

Don’t forget to secure your house for when you head out on vacation. Display signage that draws attention to your security system, and install automated locks and programmable exterior lighting to discourage intruders. Always default to a pro if you’re uncomfortable with electrical wiring.

Spring is the perfect time for DIY maintenance projects. You can save a lot of money by doing it yourself and identifying any problems that need professional care. Remember, you can avoid leaks, flooding, and mechanical breakdowns by being diligent in the spring.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

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