Seven Spring Cleaning Suggestions For Your Home

Many of us have a “bucket list”—a list of fun, interesting, or challenging things we want to do someday before we “kick the bucket.” But when springtime rolls around, many of us also have a different kind of bucket list—it’s a list of home maintenance things we know we should take care of at least once a year. 

Just in case you’ve inadvertently (or with much forethought) misplaced your list, here are seven spring cleaning suggestions that may need your attention. And while these items may not be quite as exciting as the other kind of bucket list, following through on them could save you from spending serious money on repairs later.  

1. Check the seals around your windows and doors. Even though caulking and weather sealing materials are more durable than they used to be, they still take a beating over the winter months. Keeping a good seal keeps unwanted moisture from damaging windowsills and walls. And if you use air conditioning in the summer months, it keeps the cool air inside better.

2. Clean your dryer vent. The lint trap on your dryer doesn’t catch everything. Use a vacuum to remove lint that got past the trap. If your vent is plugged, you’re not only wasting money, but also increasing the risk of a house fire. By the way, if you use fabric softener sheets in your dryer, they can cause a buildup on the lint trap that makes it harder for air to pass through. Rinse off your lint trap with water every couple of weeks so it’s working effectively.

3. Clean out your gutters. Your gutters can slowly fill with debris over the winter. It’s probably obvious, but full gutters don’t let rainwater run away from your house. In addition to having standing water in the gutters, you could end up with water damage in the walls of your home—and that can be an expensive repair.

4. Check your roof for damage. Even though they are built to last a long time, roofs can sustain weather damage over the winter. Sometimes animals (squirrels, in particular) can cause damage that you don’t see because it’s out of sight. It’s much cheaper to make a small repair early than to have to re-roof later.

5. Check and clean your deck. You may want to use a pressure washer to clean the accumulation of winter dirt off your deck before treating it again for the summer. When you do, check to make sure no boards or screws have come loose. It’s better to replace one board than to ignore the problem until the whole deck has to be replaced.

6. Clean or replace your HVAC filters. This really isn’t just a “spring-cleaning” activity. You should check your HVAC filters regularly. Replacing dirty filters isn’t that expensive—it’s actually cheap insurance because it keeps your system from over-working—and that saves you money.

7. Inspect for cracked or peeling paint. Winter weather can be hard on your home’s exterior paint. Talk a walk around the exterior of the house and look for signs of cracking, peeling or worn paint. Repainting is much cheaper than replacing your siding.

Of course one thing can lead to another. And while you’re taking care of your spring-cleaning and maintenance tasks, you may find yourself thinking about home improvements as well. Spring is a great time to add a well-designed patio (perhaps with a built-in outdoor kitchen), or to expand your deck so you can get more use out of it. You may want to consider putting a cover over part of your deck so that you can enjoy it even when the sun is blazing or when a little bit of rain might otherwise drive you inside.

If ideas like those come up, just add them to your “bucket list” and give us a call. We’ll be happy to help you get your bucket list under control!