Getting Your Home Ready for Spring Weather

With warmer weather fast approaching, it’s time to start getting your home and lawn ready for the new year as well. Snow and ice can cause damage to structures, gutters, and landscaping, so it’s important to survey the entire property to ensure that:

• The sprinkler system is still off and there are no broken heads.
• There are no falling hazards from surrounding landscaping.
• There are no apparent leaks or water damage.

With these core ideas in mind, here is a list of items to look for when preparing your home for spring weather.

Check Foundation Vents

Leaves and other debris can find their way into these vents, and can ultimately become home to insects and other pests. Clear these out manually, then run a shop vacuum over the grill vent to remove fine debris to increase ventilation efficiency.

Clean Out the Dryer Vent

Lint buildup can create a fire hazard. Remove the vent tube from the back of the machine and remove lint with a dryer vent brush. From outside of the house, remove the dryer vent and remove lint with the dryer vent brush. Replace the dryer vent when done.

Level Grade Your Lawn to Cut Down on Mosquitos

Mosquitos thrive where standing water and high temperatures are prevalent, so get ahead of the problem by checking your lawn’s grade. If you are unsure how to go about this, there are multiple tutorials available online, but it does require some knowledge and specialty tools. When in doubt, contact a landscaping professional.

Aerate Your Lawn

Once the snow has melted, rake away any leaves or branches that were left behind, then prepare your lawn for spring by having it aerated with a soil conditioning product. Resod/reseed if you find any bare or damaged spots. 

Clean Out Your Gutters and Downspouts

With luck, these shouldn’t be too bad if they were cleaned out last autumn. Take a hose up with you and spray out the gutters as well as the downspouts. Check for any leaks, cracks, or disrepair.

Check Your Roof and Repair Any Damage

Ice dams can result in broken shingles over the winter freeze, eventually leading to more water damage. Inspect your roof to ensure that no broken shingles or ice dams exist. If any damage is found, it must be repaired as soon as possible to ensure that the damage does not spread further.

Check/Repair/Clean Exterior Windows

Now would be a good time to check your windows to ensure that: 1) they are in good condition, 2) no energy leaks exist, and 3) they are clean. Alternatively, a professional service can be called to have the windows cleaned and/or inspected, but having them checked is a great way to ensure that energy leaks are not occurring.

Spring Clean Declutter

Not only is this a feel-good activity, but old belongings can store allergens as well. Purge your old stuff, give allergens less stuff to adhere to, and make your indoor environment that much more healthier.