preparing-your-home-for-springSpring has begun and it’s the perfect time to tidy up your home both inside and out. Follow these easy routines to do a thorough job of spring home maintenance and cleaning.

Check Your Home Exterior

Take a walk around and check for loose shingles, gutters, and siding. Anything cracked or missing should be replaced. Make sure to keep an eye out for cracks in your homes foundation. Look out for wood rot around your windows, doors, and trim. Also, check for any damaged areas or openings that clear the way for carpenter ants, woodpeckers and other critters. This should be fixed immediately. Check the caulking and weather stripping around your windows. Any leakage will let warm summer air in and let cool indoor air escape. Make sure to clean your windows, inside and out to make them sparkle. And give your exterior a quick clean with a power washer to help your home stand out.

Check your Home Interior

Take a walk around inside to check for leaky faucets, clogged drains and sweaty pipes. Look under kitchen and bathroom sinks to make sure connections on pipes and hoses are secure and sealed. Check for water stains around the dishwasher and check washer machine hoses for cracks, bulges or dampness. Change the filter on your air conditioner, check hose connections for leaks, and make sure the drain pans are draining freely. You want to make sure your air conditioning is working well for the warm months ahead.

General Cleaning

Spring is a good time to clean areas of the house that are often neglected. Dust or vacuum chair rails, window casings, tops of wall-mounted cabinets and ceiling fans. Dry clean fabric draperies and use a damp cloth to clean wood and vinyl blinds. Vacuum upholstered furniture and mattresses. Rent a carpet cleaner to shampoo carpeting.

Backyard Care

If you have a wooden deck, look for warped, loose or splintered boards. If the finish on your wood deck is faded or worn, clean, stain, and reseal it. Sweep your deck or patio to remove any leaves and debris that might have accumulated over winter. Rake the lawn to remove any debris and leaves that might have been missed in the fall, they can suffocate the grass beneath. Take stock of your garden tools and lawn maintenance equipment, including lawn mowers, trimmers and hoses.

Lawn Furniture

If you stored your lawn furniture for the winter, bring it outdoors and hose it off with a mild detergent. Check for signs of rust or paint erosion on metal furniture. Bring out your grill again. Check the burner jets for clogs and obstructions in your gas grill. Make sure that gas hoses and connections are connected and secure. For charcoal grills, make sure your grill is clean of ash and grease residue. It’s a good habit to adopt throughout the grilling season, not just in the spring.