Exterior inspections
Use the warming weather as an excuse to get outside and check things out. One of the biggest and most costly parts of your home is your roof, and it is also something that can be damaged by extreme weather changes. It’s a good idea to get up on your roof and see if there are any damages that are visible to the eye. If you have noticed any water damage to your interior ceilings, these would be good places to start looking on the outside to see what’s going on. Roof leakage is tricky because where you see interior damage isn’t necessarily the exact spot your roof may be leaking, as the water travels. If you do have a leakage problem, your best bet may be to call a professional.
Cleaning out your gutters is another thing that will help prevent leakage. If your gutters are clogged with leaves and other debris they will not be able to help guide the water to drain away from your house.
Pressure washing certain exterior surfaces can make a big difference in their appearance. Decks, fences, siding, driveways and patios are all areas that could use a good washing to remove winter filth including road salt and sand that have accumulated over the winter.
Check the seals around your windows and doors. These can become brittle and crack during cold weather, therefore breaking or not providing as much insulation and protection from the elements as they should.
As you are storing your shovels and snow blowers until next year, get ready to haul out your lawnmower and give it a tune-up.
Fill in cracks to your sidewalk, driveway, patio and front step. The weather makes your concrete expand and contract, which is not good on the material. Cracks occur that can trip up visitors. Fix the cracks before someone gets hurt, or water finds a way to seep in.
Now is a good time to pull up dead grass and seed it to keep your lawn green. Also fill in holes that may have sunken over the winter so you can avoid stepping in them or having them fill with standing water that will attract mosquitos.
Grab a screwdriver and probe areas of your house that have exposed wood and are close to the ground. Water damage and termites can be discovered this way.
Remove any dead trees, bushes and plants. If you want to replant, make sure this is the right season to plant so your greens will flourish.
Interior elements
Draining your water heater will help reduce the amount of sediment building up in the water tank, thereby reducing your utility bill and prolonging the life of your water heater.
Touch up any paint that is peeling or scratched. If you can get to it and touch it up before a bigger problem occurs, you’ll have time and money.
Replace batteries in your smoke detector. This can easily coincide with Daylight Savings Time as an event you will always remember.
Pay attention to the screens on your windows. You’ll probably be welcoming fresh air into your home soon, cleaning and repairing these screens will let the fresh air in and help keep bugs out.
Clean your dryer vent and check your washing machine hose. The hose may crack in cold temps, so check it to make sure it’s not getting ready to start causing leaks. A blocked dryer vent is a fire hazard, so check that out too.
HVAC filters come as disposable or reusable. Either clean your filter, or replace it to keep your air and heat running efficiently.