Spring is one of the most promising times of the year, with the days getting longer and winter nearly over. Before you can get started with your warm-weather plans, however, it’s essential to take time to prepare your home for spring.
Clean the Gutters
The gutters are essential to direct water away from your home. Clogged gutters can lead to roof and siding damage, basement flooding, mold growth, and damage to your landscaping. Choose a warm day to remove leaves, animal nests, twigs, and other debris from your gutters.
Use your garden hose to rinse the gutter channels until the water runs freely. Check the downspouts to verify water is flowing away from the house. If your gutters are damaged or in poor shape, call a professional to make repairs or replace the gutters entirely.
Replace Filters to Prepare Your Home for Spring
You may already have a schedule for changing your HVAC system filters, but you can also use the arrival of spring weather as a reminder to change the other filters in your home. Water filters, air purifier filters, and range hood filters should be cleaned or replaced. Some filters should be replaced every three months, while others can wait as long as a year before replacement.
Test the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
While the risk of a house fire is the highest in the winter months, it is still a hazard when the weather warms. As you prepare your home for spring, test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Change the batteries, even if they are not chirping. If any detectors are damaged or expired, replace the units immediately.
Prepare Your Outdoor Furniture
As the weather warms, your family will be looking forward to spending more time gathering outdoors with friends. Take the patio furniture out of storage and perform repairs as necessary. If you have a deck or patio, pressure-wash it using an appropriate cleaner to remove mold and mildew.
Inspect Your Deck to Prepare for Spring
In preparation for spending more time outside, inspect the backyard deck. Look for wood that is rotting or splitting. Remove and replace badly damaged or deteriorating decking boards. Sand the surface to remove splinters. Reseal the deck with a waterproofing sealant or stain product for decks. Complete these tasks, and your outdoor living space will be ready to enjoy with family and friends.
Appalachian Inspection Services provides home inspection services to Western North Carolina. Contact us to book an appointment.