Spring Maintenance for Your Home

When springtime rolls around in the Pacific Northwest some people think of cleaning. That’s fine (we probably all need to do a little more of that, after all), but there’s something even more important to keep in mind: home maintenance.

So, after you set the clocks ahead for daylight-saving time and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, give your home a checkup, too. Here are some suggestions from the Department of Housing and Urban Development:

Interior and appliances

• Check the basement and/or crawlspace for any signs of standing or dripping water.
• Pull your dryer out and clean the exhaust hose and vent (lint found here is a common cause of house fires).
• Vacuum refrigerator/freezer coils for efficiency.
• Clean exhaust fan outlets and screens.
• Check all air filters and replace them, if necessary.
• Schedule an inspection for your air conditioning unit.

Roof, siding, windows

• Check for damage to your roof and chimney and have a professional inspection, if necessary.
• Go into the attic. If there is visible moisture or discoloration, your roof might be leaking.
• Examine the paint on your siding and trim. If it is peeling, you might need new paint to protect against the effects of the weather.
• Check for leaks around window and door sills. Improving your seals can lower your energy bills.
• Clean window and sliding door tracks. Dirt and debris can accumulate in the tracks.

Yard and exterior

• Check for signs of rodents and other pests.
• Clean debris from gutters and downspouts, and make sure downspouts are draining away from the home.
• Trim overhanging tree branches and shrubs. Keep shrubs and bushes trimmed at least twelve inches from the house.

January’s winter storms caused significant damage. If you inspected your home after the storms, you may have spotted problem areas. These areas often result in wear and tear that homeowners can miss if they aren’t looking closely. It’s well worth it to spend a little time on home maintenance this spring, so that wear and tear doesn’t turn into something more serious.