Springtime has its own set of tasks, from cleaning to maintenance.
For some folks, home maintenance can be a mysterious and daunting set of tasks. At times it seems like a homeowner’s work is never done. What to do? You can’t ignore it. In a home, things left undone can only get worse with time. Take heart! It’s not as hard as you think, once you get into the rhythm of the seasons. Just like nature, houses flow with the seasons. In this four-part series, we take a look at how to plan routine home maintenance tasks for their proper time of the year. This first installment begins with spring.
Spring has sprung, the grass is riz…
Spring cleaning means more than just sweeping and dusting. With spring comes an awakening for your home, both inside and out. Here are some tasks to tackle in the spring. Landscaping: Spread a layer of mulch around flower beds and under hedges to protect them from drought and discourage weed growth. If the danger of frost has passed, you can add new perennials to your garden, being sure to give them a good, deep watering. If your lawn has empty spaces, now is a good time to lay down some new seed to fill in those gaps. Don’t wait until the summer heat. Wait until mid-spring to fertilize, after the lawn is showing some signs of life. Lawn equipment: Now is the time to get your yard tools in tiptop shape before you’ll be needing them. Start with your lawn mower. Spring is a great time to change the oil, spark plugs, and air filter. Check the belts and blades for wear, and change or sharpen, as needed. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, take it to a small engine repair shop. It might cost you around $75-$100, depending on your specific needs. Do the same for any other gas-powered gear you use for landscaping, such as weed whackers, edgers, and chainsaws. If you plan to have a lawn service take care of your yard and landscaping, early spring is the time to renew your contract with them, before they get too booked up.
Outside your home
Mind in the gutter? Good! Actually, it should be ON the gutter. Your home’s gutters control the flow of rainwater, directing it off the roof and away from the siding and foundation. Ignoring your gutters can invite insects, rodents, or even water damage to your home. Click here for more reasons that gutter maintenance is a must. A good rule of thumb is to clean them twice a year – once in early spring, and again in late fall, after the leaves have completed their journey from branch to ground. If you plan to clean gutters yourself, specialized brushes are available at home improvement stores. There are also long hose attachments for gutter cleaning that spray a strong jet of water, pushing leaves and debris along until it washes through the downspout. Clogged downspouts can be unplugged by shoving a still hose down like a plumbing snake and directing a stream of water through the spout. One handy tool, the Water Rocket, attaches to a hose and makes the process much easier. Please don’t forget: If you are going up on a ladder, be careful. Make sure the ladder is secure, and don’t lean out too far. Click here for a list of ladder safety tips from the National Safety Council.
Take a walk on the domestic side. Stroll around the perimeter of your home. Check for cracks in the façade and dark, moldy areas along the foundation where there may be a problem with standing water during wet times. Look up at your roof. Do you see signs or loose or cracked shingles? Make note of what you believe may need some attention. Does your façade look grimy? See the section below.
Splish splash, give your house a good bath!
Start with the windows. If you had storm windows up for the winter, take them down, hose them off, and put them away until late fall. Then wash your windows, inside and out. You may be amazed at how much brighter everything looks. It’s not just windows that get streaked and gloomy. Your house’s exterior can look dull and lifeless. It’s time to give it a bath. First, close all the doors and windows. You don’t want water getting inside. Next, just set up an ordinary garden hose. No need for a pressure washer. Attach a cleaning kit with a brush attachment to your hose, and before you know it, your house will shine like new. However, if it still looks grungy and drab, you may need a new paint job. See the section below.
How’s your paint job? There’s a better reason to keep your paint fresh than merely keeping up with the Joneses. It protects shake shingles and other surfaces from water damage and decay. Look with a critical eye. Does it need just a touch-up in a few places, or is it time for a new paint job? If you need a whole paint job, get a jump on hiring a painter before the season gets too old and they get too booked up. If you plan to tackle it yourself, do it in mid to late spring before the weather gets too hot.
Deck the yard with routine maintenance.
When was the last time you used your deck? If it’s been unused all winter, it likely needs some TLC. First give it a good sweeping, and then inspect if for loose nails and cracked or loose boards. Do those little fixes first, and then give the deck a good spring cleaning. Here’s what to do:
- Wet the deck thoroughly with a garden hose.
- Soak it in a deck cleaning solution (click here for a recipe to make it yourself) and let is stand for 10-15 minutes. Add borate to the solution to treat algae and help prevent wood rot.
- Scrub it down with a deck brush (available at home supply stores) attached to a pole. A deck brush can really get into the grooves between boards better than a standard push broom.
- Spray it thoroughly with a garden hose to wash off the cleaning solution.
- Allow the deck to dry for several days, then apply new stain and sealer.
Clean that chimney or stove pipe. Do you burn wood during the winter? Be sure to give your chimney a checkup. If not cleaned annually, the buildup of soot and creosote can lead to dangerous chimney fires. Either get a professional chimney service, or do it yourself with chimney brushes you can purchase at most home supply stores. If you do it yourself, remember to use caution on the ladder and on the roof. Have a buddy hold the ladder and keep an eye on you while you’re up on the roof.
Inside jobs
An alarming task. Spring is the time to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. According to FEMA,three out of five home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms. If your smoke alarm is battery operated, change the batteries twice yearly. Test your smoke alarms by pushing the test button once a month. If you have a gas furnace or gas appliances, you need a C02 detector. Check it at the same time you check the smoke detector. These devices have limited life spans; be sure to replace them every ten years.
Sump pump. If you have a sump pump in your basement, test it now. Be sure it’s working before that gulley-washing spring rain. Better to have it working and not need it than to need it and find that it’s malfunctioning.
D-I-Y job.
Check your plumbing Open your cabinets and peek under the kitchen and bathroom sinks, making sure there are no signs of leaks. Check for water stains in the ceiling or walls. Call a plumber if you see leaks or signs of water damage. Check the flapper in your toilet tank for signs of wear. If your toilet is running a lot more than it used to, it’s time to change the flapper. This is an easy do-it-yourself project. Click here to see a video on replacing your toilet’s flapper.
Heat pumps/HVAC Consider getting a contract with a local HVAC company for semi-annual checkup and servicing of your heat pump or HVAC system. Spring and fall are the best times, before the heat of summer or the cold of winter. The technician should clean and service the furnace and compressor, as well as eyeball the duct work for outward signs of damage. Most HVAC companies have a maintenance plan where you pay a small monthly fee and get two preventive service calls a year. Generally, this also includes discounts on any needed repair work. Sound like a lot to digest? It’s not so bad, once you get the routine down.
Next month, we’ll take a look at the chores of summer.
Call Peter Young Home Inspections
Buying or selling a home? Never sign any contract without first getting a home inspection! Call Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young, 828-808-4980, or click the link below to make an appointment today.
