Beyond Spring Cleaning: Prepping Your Home for Warmer Weather
The grass is green, trees are leafing out and birds are chirping. Yes, spring is here and everything is in bloom. With the warmer temperatures on the horizon, you’ll want to go beyond the traditional spring deep cleaning to get your home ready for summer. Preparing your home for warmer weather doesn’t have to leave you feeling overwhelmed though. Develop a short list and tackle the list just one or two items at a time until there’s nothing left (differs than your “honey do” chore list).
Service Home Air Conditioner
So, where does one start? Your home air conditioner should be your first priority. Hopefully you’re already maintaining your heating and air filters regularly. Now is the best time to get started on the cycle with your air conditioning filter and have it serviced to ensure it will keep you cool in the months ahead. You’ll want to turn on the unit to see how it’s cooling and we recommend having it tuned by HVAC professionals annually to extend its life and keep it running efficiently.
Check Windows and Screens for Damage
Next, move to the windows and screens of your home. Do you have any storm windows? Are there any signs of dry rot or water damage from freezing and thawing during the winter? Repair any damage to your screens in order to keep the little critters out. You can use a mild detergent and hose to clean your screens, but never a pressure washer as it might do more harm than good to your screens.
Scan Your Roof and Home’s Exterior
It’s your first line of defense against the weather. Inspect your roof for any week spots or water damage. Do you have any shingles, flashings or gutters that need to be replaced or fixed? Remember that gutters are supposed to direct rain away from your roof and home. Keeping your gutters and downspouts clean from leaves and other debris can save you from possible water damage. Don’t forget to insect your chimneys too. Look at the masonry between bricks or stones for damage. Consider pressure washing your home’s exterior if it needs it and then check the area for paint chipping. Touch up any spots that have exposed wood.
Inspect Water System and Plumbing
If you have a sprinkler system in place, you’ll want to check its water pressure.
Look for signs of wear and tear or obstructions to sprinkler heads. Furthermore, check that your outdoor spigots survived the cold weather. Call a plumber if water isn’t flowing like it should be as this could be a sign of a problem in your pipes.
Replace Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries
This is the most important item on your “to do” list as you never know when you’ll need them so be sure to take the time to change the batteries in all of your home smoke detectors now. Test them all and make sure they are working properly.