As a result of social distancing, you may find yourself with more time on your hands than you’re used to. Use that time to tackle your spring maintenance. And our handy checklist will help you clean up from winter and ensure your home is ready for the change of season.
The shift from winter into spring is the perfect time to think about your home’s seasonal to-do list. And having a regular schedule of maintenance needs can put a stop to the most common – and costly – problems, before they occur.
While regular maintenance should be done throughout the year, spring is the time to assess winter damage to your home, start repairs and prepare for the warmer months.
Your Spring Checklist:
Here is a handy checklist of tasks that should be done each spring (and some should be done year-round).
INTERIOR:
- Have fireplaces, wood stoves and chimneys cleaned and serviced as needed.
- Clean or replace furnace air filters monthly during the heating season. (Ventilation system filters, such as a heat recovery ventilator, should be checked every two months.)
- Shut down, drain and clean your furnace humidifier; close the damper on units with central air conditioning.
- Once it warms up more, turn on power to air conditioner; check system. (It should be serviced every 2-3 years.). Clean or replace the filter.
- Check your dehumidifier and drain. Clean if needed.
- Turn off gas furnace and fireplace pilot lights where possible and once you no longer need to heat your home.
- Test well water quality. (You should test for bacteria every 6 months.)
- Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and replace batteries if you didn’t when the clocks changed.
- Test your hot water tank’s temperature and pressure relief valve. Caution: It can release hot water that can cause burns. Check your manual before testing.
EXTERIOR:
- Clean windows, screens and hardware. Replace storm windows with screens (repair or replace where needed.)
- Once all danger of frost has passed, open the valve to your outside hose connection.
- Check your foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture and repair as needed.
- Make sure your sump pump is working. Make sure the discharge pipe is connected and drains water away from the foundation.
- Re-level any steps or decks that moved due to frost or settling.
- Check for and seal any holes in your exterior cladding that could allow in small pests.
- Clear your eavestroughs and downspouts of debris and check for loose connections. Make sure water will flow away from the foundation.
- Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris.
- Once it warms up, repair and paint fences where needed, but allow wood fences to dry before tackling.
- Start your spring landscape maintenance; fertilize young trees if needed.
If you don’t feel comfortable tackling some of these tasks, consider hiring a qualified professional to help out. Did you know Amsted’s Home Care department offers home upgrades, maintenance and repairs, all completed by our team of fully licensed Red-Seal carpenters and trade professionals? Contact us now to book your seasonal home maintenance.
TIP: Make sure you take pictures of anything you might want to share with an expert for advice or to monitor or remind you of a situation later.
Get your own printable copy of the Home Maintenance Schedule to stay on top of your home’s maintenance needs throughout the year.