In order to keep your home in tip top shape now and for many years to come, it’s important to keep up with maintaining certain parts throughout the year. Now that Spring is almost here, remember to take care of these spring home maintenance items to keep your home in the best possible condition.

1. Test Fire Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Test the fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and change the batteries if they aren’t working. This simple, few-minute exercise could save your family’s lives.

2. Replace Filters

Filters should be replaced every 3-6 months. Filters that should be checked and cleaned include furnace, water, range hood, and air vents.

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3. Clean Dyer Vent

When dryer vents get clogged, it can cause a fire hazard, so it is extremely important to keep on top of this home maintenance item. Disconnect the vent from the back of the machine and use a dryer vent brush or shop vac to remove any lint and then reconnect the dryer vent to the machine. On the outside of your home, remove the dryer vent cover and use the dryer venter brush or shop vac to remove any lint. Make sure the dryer vent cover flaps move freely when the dryer is turned on.

4. De-Clutter and Spring Clean Your Home

This is the perfect time to give your home a deep spring cleaning! It’s a great way to keep allergens such as dust, mold, and pollen at bay. While you’re at it, take a look at your pipes and make sure there are no mold-producing leaks.

5. Clean Shower Heads and Faucets

Using a mixture of ½ water and ½ white vinegar, unscrew the faucet aerators, sink sprayers, and the shower heads. Place the vinegar and water mixture in  plastic bags and tie around all of the faucets and shower heads in your home, let soak for an hour. Rinse with warm water. Be careful with the vinegar mixture if you are cleaning faucets near marble or granite.

6. Scrub the Walls, Baseboard, Doors and Casings, and Outlets

You can use a mild soap and water mixture, or a mixture of ½ water and ½ white vinegar (don’t use vinegar on marble or granite). Wipe with a clean, soft cloth or a sponge. Make sure your cloth is wrung out to almost dry when washing the outlets or near any electricity.

7. Wash Exterior Windows and Screens and Check for Damage

Either hire a professional or make it a do-it-yourself project. This will be much easier if you have tilt-in windows that you can clean from the inside of your home. If not, you will need a ladder that is tall enough to reach your highest windows. A great window solution to use is ½ white vinegar, ¼ rubbing alcohol, and ¼ water. Use a clean cloth or squeegee to wash and a separate clean cloth to dry. You can clean the screens using a scrub brush and the same formula, or a mild soap and water and rinse with a hose and air dry.

8. Clean the Gutters

Using a ladder and gloves, clean out as much debris as you can with your hands from the gutters and then flush out the remaining debris with a hose. Place the hose as far down the downspout as you can and flush each downspout out.

9. Clean Foundation Window Sills and Vents

Clean out any leaves and debris that are in your foundation window sills, or if you have a crawl space, the vents along the foundation walls. Cleaning the vents help prevent extra moisture and mold growth and allows for the vents to produce the proper air circulation. You can wash the windows using the same formula given in number 6. If you have foundation vents, check them for damage and clean them using a shop vac.

10. Clean the Grill and Patio Furniture

You can use a wire brush to scrub the grill and a mild soap and water to wash the outside. You can use this same process to wash the patio furniture or the mixture from number 6. Rinse with a hose and air dry.

If you would like more information on how to maintain your home, feel free to reach out to us, we’re here to help with all of your home improvement needs!