It’s been a long cold winter with snow, ice and rain. Your house has been closed up for months and the garage is a mess. Here are 10 tips to getting your home ready for spring.
- Inspect and clean out gutters and downspouts
Inspect and clean debris from gutters and downspouts. Check for signs of leaks or any loose sections. Leaky gutters can cause water damage to your home. If you are not comfortable on a ladder you may want to hire someone to do this.
- Inspect roofing shingles for damage
Do a visual inspection of roofing from the ground to make sure there aren’t any loose or missing shingles from winter storms. High winds can often cause damage to your roof especially if there are trees close to the house with overhanging limbs. If necessary, hire someone to inspect and repair any damaged areas. A leaky roof can cause expensive damage to the structure and interior of the home as well as allow mold to grow inside the walls.
- Clean yard and inspect drainage
Clean debris from yard and look for low areas with poor drainage, especially near the house. Spring rains can cause flooding in the yard which can cause foundation flooding and damage. Pools of water in the yard are also a breeding ground for insects such as mosquitoes. Repair any drainage issues with the yard and landscaping to make sure you don’t have any problems related to standing water or flooding.
- Power-wash driveway, walkways, decks and siding
After a long winter with rain, snow and ice your driveway, walkways, decks and siding need some TLC. Rent or buy a power-washer or hire someone to clean these areas. It’s amazing how a good cleaning can make the exterior of your home look like new again. This is also a good time to clean patio furniture to get it ready for use in warmer weather.
- Inspect windows and doors
Once the exterior of your home has been power-washed, take some time to inspect the windows and doors for damage. Inspect the seals and weather-stripping, the glass, and any exterior caulking and paint. Replace or repair any damaged areas and glass and re-caulk and paint as necessary. This will save money on heating and cooling your home as well as prevent water damage from leaks.
- Clean out the garage
The garage can really take a beating during the cold winter months. No one wants to clean the garage when it’s cold and wet outside. Take some time to open it up and clean the inside of the garage from top to bottom. Throw away any junk or garbage that has accumulated inside the garage and put everything back in its place. Clean mud and debris off the floor from vehicles and boots and check for cracks in the concrete.
It’s also a good time to thoroughly clean your vehicles, especially the undercarriage, to wash away any mud and salt brine that may have accumulated from driving during the winter months. If you live in an area where the roads are salted to prevent ice and snow buildup on the roads, you want to make sure to wash the residue from your vehicles so it doesn’t cause rust and other damage.
- Thoroughly clean and air-out home
The first warm weekend of spring is a great time to clean the inside of your window and door glass and open them up to let fresh air in, and stale air out, of your home. It’s best to do this before the pollen gets bad later in the season so it doesn’t get inside your home while the windows are open. Months of cooking and living with the windows and doors closed can lead to dust and odor buildup inside your house. A thorough cleaning of rugs, carpets, curtains and furniture will make your home clean and fresh again.
- Clean out the Refrigerator
How long has it been since you took everything out of the refrigerator and cleaned all the shelves and inside surfaces? If it’s been awhile, spring is a great time to mark that chore off the list and get rid of any science experiments that might be growing in the back of the fridge.
- Change your home decor
Most people don’t have the money to change the decor of their homes with each changing season but there are low-cost ways of giving your home a fresh look inside for spring. While you are cleaning your home, think about rearranging the furniture, replacing any old damaged items and possibly doing some painting. Add some flowers and new plants and you’ll be amazed at how new and fresh your home can look on a budget.
- Get your garden ready
Early spring is the time to plan your garden and start sprouting veggies and herbs in small plastic cups inside under grow lights or in a greenhouse. That way you don’t have to wait until it’s warm outside to plant and your garden gets a head start. It’s also a good time to prep the soil in the garden and put up or repair planters and trellises. Take some time to determine what you want to plant, and where, so you know exactly how to proceed when it’s time to get the garden planted.
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