Give Your Home a Spring Makeover
Spring is the perfect time to give your home some much-needed TLC after the harsh conditions of winter. As the weather warms up, it's essential to ensure that your home is in tip-top shape to withstand the swing into warmer weather. To help get you started, we've put together a detailed, 11-point home maintenance checklist for spring.
- Inspect Your Roof and Foundation
- Blow Out, Inspect and Adjust Sprinklers
- Clean and Repair Gutters, Siding and Concrete
- Refresh Your Lawn, Garden, and Trees
- Maintain Your Deck or Patio
- Inspect and Repair Windows, Doors, and Screens
- Get Your Chimney Cleaned and Repaired
- Get Your HVAC Serviced, Change Air Filters
- Inspect Your Basement and Attic
- Consider Home Upgrades and Smart Features
- Check Your Home Safety Systems
Follow these simple tasks to keep your home safe, comfortable, and beautiful all summer long.
Inspect Your Roof and Foundation
Start by visually examining your roof for any signs of damage. Use binoculars or even a drone to get a closer look—if your home is two levels or more, consider hiring a pro instead of getting on a ladder. If you can tackle this on your own, look for signs of wear and tear, such as curled, missing, dislodged, broken or otherwise damaged shingles (flashing, too). Get repairs done as needed.
Next, walk around your home and inspect the foundation for cracks, settling, or water damage. Cracks wider than a dime, especially horizontal ones, should not be ignored. Stair-step cracks in brick or masonry can also be signs of trouble. Finally, look for bowing, leaks, and any signs of moisture or water intrusion in your basement or crawlspace.
Blow Out, Inspect and Adjust Sprinklers
Whether you DIY it or hire a professional (make an appointment asap), Colorado homeowners can typically blow out and start up their sprinkler system after Mother's Day when all the snow and subzero temperatures have finally passed (knock on wood).
Once the system is up and running, check each zone for proper functioning. Look for any leaks, broken heads, or misaligned spray patterns that may need adjustment. Replacement heads can typically picked up at your local big box hardware store. Also, check for signs of dry spots or overwatering, spray hitting your home and windows, or water landing on your driveway or street. Adjust the settings as needed to optimize water distribution.
Finally, consider upgrading to a smart sprinkler system. These will typically skip watering if there’s rain in the forecast, and you can turn the system on/off via an app if your grass starts looking over or under-watered. Smart systems can help both the environment and your water bill.
Clean and Repair Gutters, Siding and Concrete
- Gutters: This is at least a twice-a-year job for homeowners, more if you have a lot of trees on your property. Remove debris such as leaves, twigs, and dirt from your gutters to ensure proper drainage. Use a hose to flush out any remaining debris and check for leaks or damage that may need repair.
- Driveway and Sidewalk: Fill in any cracks or potholes in your driveway and sidewalk to prevent further damage. Use a concrete patching compound for small repairs and consider resurfacing for larger areas of damage. If all looks good, thoroughly hose down or powerwash these surfaces to remove winter salt residue which can cause damage and diminish the lifespan of your concrete.
- Home Siding: Wash away dirt, mildew, and grime from your home's siding using a pressure washer or scrub by hand with a firm brush, soap, and water. Remove and clean window screens as well, and wash window exteriors while you’re at it. Window cleaner that attaches to your garden hose can be found in big box stores.
Refresh Your Lawn, Garden, and Trees
Rake away any debris and thatch and aerate your lawn to promote growth. Apply a slow-release fertilizer and fill in any bare patches with fresh grass seed. If you don’t hire a lawn care company, you’ll also want to get your mower tuned up. The air filter, spark plug and oil should be changed, blades sharpened. Don’t forget fresh gas!
Next, clear out old plant debris and weeds from your garden beds to make way for preparing the soil and planting any new flowers you wish to add—veggie gardens, too. Prune all shrubs and bushes as needed and add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Last but not least, inspect all trees on your property for signs of damage or disease, dead or broken branches, decay, and pest infestations. Trim back overhanging branches to prevent damage to your home (or your neighbor’s). If you find any major issues, you may need to bring in an arborist. These specialists will have the most knowledge about trees care, including how to treat sick trees and when it’s absolutely necessary to cut one down.
Maintain Your Deck or Patio
Whether you prefer relaxing or hosting weekend barbecue parties, proper deck or patio upkeep is essential to everyone’s safety and enjoyment. So, sweep away debris and give your deck or patio a thorough cleaning with a mild detergent and water. Check for any cracked, broken, loose or damaged boards, railings, steps or stones. Make repairs as necessary.
If you have a wood deck, spray water on the boards. If it beads, you’re good to go for another season. If the water soaks in, hold off on summer festivities until you’ve had a chance to apply a fresh coat of sealant to protect against moisture and UV damage. Once your deck or patio is in order, bring all your furniture out, giving everything a good hose down or light pressure wash.
Inspect and Repair Windows, Doors, and Screens
Inside and out, inspect your windows and doors for any gaps or drafts that may affect energy efficiency, especially when you crank up the air-conditioning on a hot summer day. Replace worn weather stripping and caulking to improve insulation and reduce heating and cooling costs.
And don’t forget to take a look at your screens. Screens should fit securely and don’t ignore even small tears or holes that are no match for determined flies and other pests. Your local hardware store may be able to rescreen frames, and there are service pros that will do it for you on-site.
Pro-tip! If you have pets, consider upgrading to pet-resistant screens. Made from a vinyl-coated polyester, this option can be up to seven times stronger than traditional fiberglass or aluminum screening. While not guaranteed, it holds up much better to scratching and biting.
Get Your Chimney Cleaned and Repaired
While you could technically wait until the fall, a lot of chimney professionals will be busy at that time of year. So, why wait? Once you’re done using your fireplace for the winter, go ahead and have a chimney sweep clean your chimney, flue, and fireplace.
During a typical cleaning, they will remove any built-up creosote and debris to prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide leaks. The chimney sweep can also inspect the exterior for cracks, loose bricks, or mortar deterioration. Repairs will help prevent major structural issues and water intrusion when spring rain arrives.
Get Your HVAC Serviced
You know that weird, burning smell you get when you run the heater for the first time in winter? While normal, it’s dust in your system. That’s why it’s important to change your air filter every 90 days or so—check your manual or Google the manufacturer/model number for schedules.
You can also contact a licensed HVAC technician to service your system. A thorough check and prompt repairs will ensure efficiency and air quality, and won’t leave you to cook on a 100-degree day. A maintenance visit will typically include:
- Cleaning of coils, drains, and elements
- Inspection/testing of connections, motor, and thermostat
- Monitoring refrigerant pressure
- Testing safety controls
- Lubricating moving parts
If you recently purchased the home, hang out with the tech and ask questions so that you can get to know your system better and what they recommend for ongoing maintenance.
Inspect Your Basement and Attic
These are two of the most critical (and revealing) spaces in your home, and possibly the ones you ignore the most.
- Check both for signs of water damage, such as stains, mold, or musty odors.
- Bring in pros to fix leaks, cracks, or humidity issues to prevent mold issues.
- Test your sump pump and repair or replace the unit if necessary.
- Check your insulation for signs of damage, deterioration, compression, or pests.
And don’t forget your crawlspace—be sure to open vents that were closed in winter. With warm days and cooler nights, proper venting prevents moisture buildup which can lead to mold.
Consider Home Upgrades and Smart Features
While you’re all up in your attic, or getting your yard in ship-shape, consider a few upgrades that can help with energy efficiency, lowering utility costs, and making home care more convenient.
- Add insulation to your attic or walls to improve home efficiency and comfort year-round. It keeps your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Proper insulation can lower utility costs, reduce temperature fluctuations, and help your HVAC run more efficiently—even last longer. Here’s a quick rundown of R-Values to aim for.
- Consider adding smart thermostats, lighting, and security systems. Get convenient add-ons like a smart sprinkler system and garage door/opener. Being able to monitor your home remotely is huge. Keep an eye on Amazon deliveries, turn off your irrigation system in case of a rain storm, and turn down the A/C when you’re headed home from work. While energy efficiency is a big sell, the convenience can be so worth it.
- Replace old or drafty windows with energy-efficient models. This is a BIG expense, but it does come with up to an 85% ROI when you sell your home. And it's a great long-term investment if you're in your forever home. Today’s windows can enhance insulation, reduce outside noise, and protect against harmful UV rays. Look for windows with low-emissivity coatings and double-pane glass for optimal performance.
Just be aware of window sales red flags, such as high-pressure tactics to “buy now” before some crazy discount expires. Also, be wary of sky-high estimates, a lack of details in your estimate (materials and labor costs should be itemized), and poor reviews or no references. And always check their licensing and insurance.
Check Your Home Safety Systems
Test and replace batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Why wait for one to start chirping in the middle of the night? Also, per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), you should replace smoke alarms every ten years and replace combination alarms every seven to ten years to benefit from the latest technology upgrades.
Enjoy a Relaxing Summer
By following this comprehensive home maintenance checklist for spring, you can ensure that your home remains safe, comfortable, and efficient throughout the season and beyond. And that can save you time, money, and headaches. So roll up your sleeves now and by the time summer arrives, you and your home will be ready for fun in the Colorado sun.
Looking for a spring cleaning checklist for your home’s interior? Check out this recent blog!
