The pleasant weather of spring brings the perfect conditions to do spring cleaning and perform home maintenance. Preventive measures and maintenance can help your home stay safe and keep expenses lower throughout the year as well as maintain its value. Both the interior and exterior of your home need careful attention. Use this spring home maintenance checklist to make sure your home is in good working order.

General Cleaning

Gloved hands dusting window blindsSpring is a great time to clean areas of your home that often go unnoticed. Dust surfaces like chair rails, wall-mounted cabinets, ceiling fans, window casings, and blinds. Wash or dry clean fabric draperies. Vacuum upholstery and mattresses. Consider shampooing carpets. Wash tiles and grout in the bathrooms and kitchen. Do anything necessary to remove settled dust, mites, and allergens to make your home cleaner and healthier.

Air Conditioning

An important part of spring home maintenance is checking your air conditioning units to ensure they are in good working order for the approaching warmer weather. Change air filters, check hose connections, and make sure drain pains are properly draining. Remove any dust from the unit and its connections. If you suspect any problems, call a professional to take a look.

Basement

Unfinished basementBasements are prone to dampness and insects, so they require attention during spring home maintenance. If the basement is damp, the space may have inadequate ventilation and needs a dehumidifier. Check the walls for cracks and water penetration. Use a flashlight to examine exposed framing. If there’s any tunneling in the wood, call a pest control company.

Attic

Another place to inspect during spring home maintenance is the attic. Look for any signs of insects, pests, and mold. Make sure the attic is properly insulated and has good ventilation to prevent mold growth in the coming warmer months.

Plumbing

Using wrench to tighten pipe connection under sinkThis is a great time to check for leaky faucets, sweaty pipes, and clogged drains. Check your kitchen and bathroom sinks to make sure pipe connections and hoses are properly sealed. Look for wetness around the dishwasher, washing machine, and water heater, including their hoses and connections. Also check for signs of corrosion.

Roof and Gutters

Freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can take a toll on your roof, gutters, and downspouts. Clear debris from your gutters and inspect them for damage and wear. Check for rust, cracks, and holes. Scrub away rust and repair any damage. Visually inspect your roof for obvious issues such as damaged flashing or missing shingles. Call a professional if you think your roof or gutters need repairs.

Deck and Patio

Large wooden deck behind houseWarmer weather means spending more time outside on the deck and patio. To get these outdoor areas ready, they need some spring home maintenance. Look for loose, warped, or splintered boards on your deck. Check for cracked or loose concrete or stones on your patio, sidewalk, walkway, etc. Remove any weeds or moss. Sweep or power wash these surfaces and reseal or stain if needed.

Lawn

Rake the lawn to remove any leaves, branches, or debris. Even if you can’t see weeds, they are likely waiting for the right conditions to grow. To prevent them from germinating, consider using an organic herbicide. Make sure any outdoor faucets, pipes, and sprinkler systems are in working order and free of leaks. Note your stock of garden tools and lawn equipment such as mowers, hoses, and trimmers, and repair or replace any broken or missing items. When the ground is completely thawed, you can start preparing garden beds for summer plants.

These are some of the spring home maintenance tasks that you should perform this season. If you’re interested in selling your home, keeping up with maintenance can help improve the value and appearance of your property. To further increase its appeal for real estate photos and showings, follow these home staging tips to help sell your house fast!