Essential Home Maintenance tips for spring 2018

In The Community

 

Spring is the perfect time to make sure your home is prepared for spring and summer.  It’s also a good time to finish up those tasks that may have been put off.  After a long winter, many household items may need upkeep or repair. So get your gloves ready and check out these home maintenance tasks for spring.

  • Change the air conditioner filter at least once a month. This puts less stress on the unit and allows it to work at maximum efficiency. Choose a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter which traps microscopic particles like mold, pollen, and dust. To replace the air filter, turn off the unit, remove the old filter, and then put the new filter in following the instructions written on its packaging. Don’t forget to also have your AC unit serviced before summer begins.
  • flooding, water damage
    Make sure water drains away from your home and doesn’t pool around the foundation

    Keep gutters and downspouts clean and in good shape to prevent household water damage. First, remove debris from the gutters using your hands or a garden trowel. Then use a garden hose to wash any remaining gunk away. Other things you should fix are sagging gutters and gutter leaks. Next, focus on the downspouts – check for clogs by inserting a garden hose in each of them. In case of a clog, remove it using a plumber’s drain snake.  Make sure there are no spots where water collects and pools around your foundation.

  • Check for animal damage as cold weather can drive animals such as squirrels, rats, raccoons, and opossums to find shelter in your home. They do all kinds of damage to get into your attic, basement or garden shed. Look for signs of chewing on exterior vents, wiring, and building materials. To prevent these critters from entering your home, make sure to seal any entry points and cover attic vents with solid materials. Also trim the trees around your home.
  • Clean your garage. This one always makes me feel good.  I don’t know about you but my garage gets abused during winter.  Mud and water collect on the floor, items get piled up because it’s too cold to organize.  Spring is the perfect time to rectify that situation.  Sort out the items and get them in their proper place.  If they don’t have a proper place get rid of them.  Get everything off the floor onto shelves or hanging.  Open the garage doors. Pressure wash the floor then seal or paint it, and paint the walls too. Save storage space by installing hanging racks, storage shelves, and ropes or pulleys.
  • Clean your fireplace. Give your wood-burning fireplace a makeover at the start of spring. Remove any ash and charred logs using fireplace tools, then clean the fireplace surround. Once the fireplace is clean, cover the area around it with a tarp. Don’t clean the chimney yourself – leave that to a professional chimney sweep.
  • Check window and door screens. As it gets warmer outside, it’s important to prevent insects from entering your home. This means you should check for holes in the window and door screens. Patch holes that are bigger than the size of a quarter. Also ensure screens are securely fastened, lubricate door hinges, and replace broken hardware.
  • Keep the area under the sink clean and orderly. If you have a leak or other problem under there, easy access is essential.

    Organize that area under the kitchen sink.  This is one of the most common areas for water damage.  Having everything well organized and not just stuffed into that cabinet makes cleanup and access much easier if the need arises.

  • Clean up your digital life as well.  While not necessarily related to spring time.  Keeping your data safe, secure and backed up is essential in our world today.  Make sure your back up systems are operating properly.  Review your passwords and make sure they are sophisticated.  Most data security experts recommend changing passwords periodically.

During spring, stay vigilant of thunderstorms and flooding. Learn how to prevent spring flooding and how to prepare for spring storms. For flood water damage repair and mold remediation service, contact your local PuroClean office.

Last edited on 10th of October 2023