Spring Maintenance for the Health of Your Home

Spring is right around the corner and that means the annual clean-up around the yard and around your home has commenced. For many homeowners “spring cleaning” takes on an aesthetic component of making the exterior and interior of a home look appealing. Raking up the leftover leaves from last fall and taking out the patio furniture may be on your list but there are other home maintenance items that should be on your to-do list as well. 

As a certified, professional home inspector, I am here to suggest going beyond the outward look of a home and consider opening up the list of places to clean to include areas that will help improve the health of your home. Here are a few considerations. 

Clean Out the Gutters 

In past blogs, we have discussed the importance of unclogging gutters of fallen leaves, twigs, debris, and nesting materials from wildlife. This critical task will keep runoff water from spring rains away from your foundation and potentially seeping into your basement.

Clogged gutters can also invite pests to find refuge in and around your home as well as cause the wood trim at the eaves to rot. This cleaning task can be done with fairly simple tools including a ladder and a small bucket. If climbing and balancing on a ladder while cleaning downspouts and gutters isn’t your thing, there are plenty of handyman companies that could take this on for you. 

Replace HVAC Filters 

Replacing your home’s HVAC filters every few months is critical to the efficient functioning of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. If you haven’t completed this task since before the holidays, spring cleaning time is as good a time as any. 

Air quality in your home should be a top priority especially if pets or immunocompromised individuals are present in your home. If your HVAC unit has not been serviced recently, take the time to schedule a spring checkup now. 

Clean the Dryer Vent 

Regular cleaning of the dryer vent in your home is not a matter of cleanliness but rather of safety. The vent that exhausts from your home’s dryer should be cleaned on a regular basis as dirty dryer vents are the leading cause of domestic dryer fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Ensure Your Sump Pump Is Working Properly

While you’re in the basement cleaning the dryer vent, you might as well take a closer look at your sump pump. Spring is often a time of copious amounts of rain in New England so be prepared before a soaker hits our region. A functioning sump pump could mean the difference between a flooding basement and a dry one!

Inspect Your Home for Visible Signs of Pests

Winter has a way of driving unwanted pests indoors during the coldest months in our region. Rodents such as rats and mice often take shelter in dark quiet places in our homes such as basements, attics, crawl spaces, and around chimneys. 

Spring cleaning is a good time to check for nesting signs, droppings, and gnaw marks that could indicate an unchecked rodent problem. 

While doing a visual inspection of your home keep other signs of pests such as termite tubes, termite wings, frass, and other signs of infestations on your radar. If you suspect some type of insect or rodent has made its way into your home call a professional pest control company to evaluate and treat. 

Look for Signs of Damage on the Roof 

While not all of us can climb up on the rooftop to look for signs of shingle damage after a winter storm, you can still keep an eye out for signs of damage such as curling shingles, watermarks on ceilings, and tree limbs that are precariously hanging over the roof. Additionally, consider having your chimney examined regularly to ensure its health as well. 

These are just a few suggestions to add to your spring cleaning checklist. Homeownership is a year-round job that requires attention to detail and regular maintenance in order to keep it running smoothly. Visit our home inspection page to find out more about how you can keep your home in good shape.