24 Mar It’s Spring Maintenance Time
It might not feel like it yet, but spring is just around the corner. And that means it’s time to start thinking about your home’s annual maintenance checklist. From deep cleaning to checking for damage from the winter weather, there are a lot of important tasks to tackle. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this blog post, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide to everything you need to do to get your home ready for spring. So let’s get started!
Inspect your gutters and downspouts and clean them out if necessary
Regularly inspecting gutters and downspouts helps keep your home in working order while also preventing any potential damages. Making sure to remove leaves, branches, and other debris ensures that water flows freely, which reduces strain on the entire system. Cleaning them out when necessary will also make sure that rainwater is guided away from your home’s foundation and siding, reducing the chance of water damage or mold growth around your house. Regular inspection and cleaning is an essential task for all homeowners; not only do you save yourself from the hassle of costly repairs, but it could also help reduce expensive insurance claims in the long run.
Check for any cracks or holes in your home’s exterior and seal them up
Paying attention to the exterior of your home is an important part of being a responsible homeowner. Regular checks for cracks or holes can make all the difference in keeping your home safe and energy efficient. In some cases, if left unrepaired, small cracks in siding, caulking or windows can let water seep in and weaken your home’s structure. Sealing these small openings also helps preserve heat and air conditioning within your home’s interior, which can save you money on utilities year-round. Keeping up with repairs to the outside of your home may seem like a hassle, but it’s worth the effort in the end.
Trim back any trees or bushes that are close to your house
Taking the time to trim back any trees or bushes that are close to your house is a great investment that can help protect your house from damage due to storms. Storms can cause branches to fall, often doing significant damage to roofs, siding, and windows. Pruning back the foliage around your home will help limit the number of large branches hanging nearby. Additionally, you will want to ensure that no limbs are contacting your roof, which can lead to potential water leakage or even staining of the roofing tiles. Human passersby might also walk too close and injure themselves on sharp branches if left untrimmed. Taking time each year to properly trim large trees and bushes is a crucial way to keep both people and property safe!
Test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries if needed
Fire safety is of utmost importance in every home. To ensure you and your family remain safe, it’s critical to perform regular maintenance on all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Testing them monthly only takes a few minutes and ensures that the alarms will sound in the event of an emergency. Moreover, remember to change the batteries twice a year – preferably at the beginning of fall or spring when you set your clocks back or ahead. You can rest assured that your family is protected from any potential dangers by taking a few simple steps like these.
Clean out your dryer vent to prevent a fire hazard
Preventing a fire hazard in your home should be top of mind, especially in areas where lint buildup is likely to occur. A dryer vent is one such area, and it’s important to ensure the vent is cleaned regularly. This can be done by using a vacuum cleaner hose to remove the lint buildup, or a professional service can be scheduled if there is too much build-up. If the clog isn’t due only to lint, then a special brush or hose may need to be used. Taking these simple steps will help prevent fires from occurring due to dryer vents blocking airflow and heat not being able to escape properly. Clean out your dryer vent today, and keep your home safe!
Give your air conditioner a tune-up to prepare for the warmer months ahead
The warmer weather is on the way, and now is the perfect time to give your air conditioner a tune-up. Just like you wouldn’t drive for thousands of miles without changing your car’s oil, an annual check-up can give your air conditioner that extra push to get through summer without any problems. A thorough inspection of all components, from the refrigerant level to motors and other electrical connections, can ensure that everything is running smoothly. Tuning up your air conditioner now will also help cut down on energy bills later and can provide you peace of mind knowing that your AC unit won’t leave you stranded when temperatures rise. So don’t wait – give your AC unit some TLC before summer arrives.
By following the tips above, you can avoid many costly repairs down the road. Not to mention, taking preventive measures will help keep your family safe from accidents and injuries. If you don’t have the time or knowledge to do a home maintenance inspection yourself, contact Inspect Karma. We will send one of our expert home inspectors to find any potential problems with your property so that you can make the necessary repairs before they become bigger issues.