Spring is just a month away! The snow is melted, the flowers are blooming… And there’s a host of home maintenance tasks to be taken care of. In the winter, it’s too cold to take care of many of these jobs, so they tend to pile up. But they need to be done if you want to keep your house safe, tidy, and presentable. Here’s your checklist of home maintenance tasks for the spring.
Check out our Spring Home Maintenance Checklist to prepare you as the warm weather arrives! We have broken it down into indoor and outdoor so you can be sure your whole home is covered and ready to go.
Outdoor Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
- Roof Inspection. The snow can wreak havoc on your shingles, so inspecting your roof for damage before spring brings the rainy season is important. Get a ladder and look for broken or fallen shingles or other roof damage. If you find anything, call a professional roofer to repair it.
- Roof Cleaning. While up there, check for any growth or discoloration on the roof. If you see dark streaks, that’s algae. It’s unsightly but harmless. If there’s moss, on the other hand, it can get under the shingles and lift them. You can remove both by gently applying a mixture of equal parts bleach and water, then rinsing it away after about 15 minutes.
- Sprinklers. Turn on the sprinklers and see where the water flows. Are all the heads running correctly? Are any of them damaged? Do they need to be adjusted so that all the water flows onto your lawn and plants rather than the pavement?
- Gutters. Check your gutters and spouts for clogs and clear out any leaves or other debris that may have built up during the winter. Clogged gutters can cause rainwater to accumulate, which in turn causes wood rot and other damage, ultimately attracting rodents, insects, and other pests into your home.
- Staining and Sealing. Decks, fences, gazebos, or other outdoor wood structures should be stained and sealed yearly to ensure they last longer. Make any necessary repairs to your woodwork as well.
- Asphalt and Concrete. As the snow freezes then thaws, your driveway and walkways can crack and cause other damage. Often, you can patch it up with fillers, but you may need to repave instead.
- Lawn Maintenance. Remove any sticks, leaves, or other debris in your yard, and keep the grass mowed regularly. Also, inspect for anywhere in your yard that there might be standing water, as this can attract mosquitos. Finally, if you have an outdoor A/C unit in the yard, make sure there are at least two square feet of clearance all around it, free of debris, tall grass, and any other obstructions to its airflow.
- Planting (NOT YET). Whether it’s grass, flowers, or your vegetable garden, you probably do NOT want to begin planting since central Indiana often gets a couple more frosty evenings before the warm weather starts. It is a great time to start planning and stocking up on all the outdoor gardening supplies you need.
Feel free to contact Bauerle to come out and inspect your home for issues! We are experienced inspectors and can give you a rundown on your roof, gutter, and siding health!
Indoor Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
- A/C Maintenance. In a couple of months, the weather will turn warn, and you’ll start running your air conditioner. Before you do that, call a heating and cooling specialist to perform basic maintenance on your system. They’ll be sure everything is running properly, you have enough refrigerant, your thermostat is set to the right temperature, and everything is operating at maximum efficiency, ready for the cooling season ahead.
- Faucets. Turn on any outdoor faucets or spigots to make sure water flows freely, there are no leaks, and that the cold weather didn’t damage anything. Place your finger over the opening of the faucet. If the water stops, there may be a problem. Call a plumber to inspect it further.
- Termites. Spring is termite season. Call an exterminator if you see signs of them, such as peeling paint, pinholes in your drywall, or hollow-sounding wood.
- Fix Screens. As the weather warms up, the insects come out to play. If the screens on your doors or windows have holes, gaps, or other damage, they’ll let bugs into your house. Inspect all your screens thoroughly and patch or replace any damaged portions.
- Attic and Basement Maintenance. Look especially for signs of moisture, including mold and mildew growth, or musty smells. If you see leaks, water stains, or other damage, call a professional to take care of it immediately.
- Safety Checks. Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and test them to be sure they’re working properly. If you have a fire extinguisher, ensure it’s full and operational.
Unless you’re an experienced contractor, it’s best to leave most work beyond basic maintenance tasks to professionals, rather than attempting them yourself—and potentially causing more damage. If you’re in doubt, remember that our inspections are always free. It never hurts to check everything on this spring home maintenance checklist. Call us, and let us help you ensure your home is in proper shape and ready for spring!
Feel free to contact Bauerle to come out and inspect your home for issues! We are experienced inspectors and can give you a rundown on your roof, gutter, and siding health!
