Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Outdoor Maintenance

Cold winter months can really take their toll on the outside of your home. This is one of the reasons that spring maintenance is so important. By performing external maintenance early in the spring, you can identify damage caused by ice and snow and repair it before it turns into leaks and other problems when the spring and summer rains start up. Here are a few key areas that you need to make sure that you check:

• Inspect your roof, looking for cracked or missing shingles or other signs of damage or leaks
• Check around the foundation for cracks or other wear
• Look at the bricks and siding on your home to see if you need repairs or new paint
• Clean the outdoor unit of your HVAC system and inspect it for obvious signs of damage

This is also a good time to check any external fixtures, outdoor electrical outlets, hose faucets, and other objects on or around the outside of your home for signs of damage.

Indoor Maintenance

A lot of people think that the main thing to do indoors is a bit of spring cleaning. While a good deep clean a few times a year is important for keeping your home livable, there are a few specific maintenance areas that you need to be sure to cover. Here are some of the key points to hit:

• Clean the condenser coils on the back of the refrigerator and check the temperature in both the fridge and freezer
• Inspect the ceilings and walls for discolorations or cracks that could indicate water damage
• Test your HVAC system to ensure that it functions properly when switched from heating to cooling
• Lubricate the hinges and tracks on doors, windows, and other areas that will see a lot of motion or traffic in coming months

While you’re already in maintenance mode, this could also be a good time to replace light bulbs (possibly with more energy-efficient bulbs or bulbs with smart connect features), test outlets, and perform other basic maintenance tasks around the house.