Spring Maintenance Helps Keep Your Home Running Year-Round

Spring is in the air, which makes it a great time for some spring cleaning and maintenance, inside and out. A little work now helps your home run smoothly all year.

Exterior Spring Maintenance

Inspect these areas to make sure your home is ready for warmer and wetter weather.

Roof, Gutters and Downspouts

• Roof: check for damaged or worn shingles. Whether you need a few replaced or a new roof, hire a professional to avoid leaks from improper installation.
• Gutters and downspouts: clear out debris so water flows freely, repair or replace damaged parts and consider leaf guards to make future cleanouts easier.
• Erosion: look for washouts at the bottom of downspouts. Erosion can affect your foundation, so add downspout extensions or buried drainage to move water away from the house.

Foundation, Crawlspace and Basement

Check the foundation for cracks so a minor issue does not become a major one. In crawlspaces and basements, look for dampness, standing water, efflorescence (a white mineral residue left by moisture), musty smells, rotted joists or visible mold. If you find any of these, call a foundation or moisture remediation specialist, since these problems affect both your home and your family's health.

Decks, Porches and Outbuildings

Inspect decks, porches, patios, awnings and outbuildings, and repair or replace anything damaged. Planning a new deck? Compare composite and pressure-treated wood.

Interior Spring Maintenance

Vents

Good ventilation keeps your home cleaner, healthier and more energy efficient. Clean the dryer vent and make sure roof, foundation and attic vents are clear and sealed against critters. If your range hood vents outside, clean it too, along with fireplace vents and chimney flues.

Deep Cleaning

Deep clean countertops, cabinets, floors, baseboards, doors, trim and windows with the right cleaners. It freshens both surfaces and the air in your home.

Filters

Replace HVAC, range hood and water filters, including whole-home systems and refrigerator filters. Most should be changed every few months. If you are still concerned about air quality, ask an HVAC specialist about adding air purification to your system. Considering an upgrade? Read about mini-split HVAC systems.

Appliances

Use your oven's self-cleaning setting and the sanitize cycle on newer dishwashers and washing machines. If yours do not have one, a simple vinegar solution works. Give the refrigerator a deep clean, toss expired food and sanitize every surface.

Take It One Step at a Time

You do not have to do everything at once. Tackle one or two areas over several weekends and hand the harder jobs to the pros. If your inspection turns up bigger projects, call Tracy Tesmer Design and Remodeling at 678-450-1700 or contact us online.

A version of this article appeared in the April 2021 edition of Lakeside News.