March is finally here, and with it comes intense basketball games, corned beef and cabbage, and a new season! The longer days and warmer weather also make this month the perfect time to tackle some spring home maintenance. We picked out the top three maintenance tasks you should complete this month, so your home doesn’t appear unlucky later in the year.
Tip #1 – Give your house a bath
Whether you live in the brisk north or the mild south, winter can do a number on your home’s exterior. Start spring off right by power or pressure washing your home. This not only helps to keep your home looking sharp, but it can also remove mold, dust, and allergens from your home’s exterior. This is also an essential preparation step for any exterior home improvement projects, such as repainting or resurfacing.
A power/pressure washer can be dangerous if not used correctly, so make sure to read all the instructions! When in doubt, call a professional to complete this – or any – task on your March home maintenance checklist.
Tip #2 – Prep your outdoor living space
Summer is right around the corner, so on your March home maintenance checklist, add “prepare your outdoor living space for the hot(ter) months!”
- Clean your window and door screens (or even reattach your screens for the northern homeowners).
- Inspect and complete necessary maintenance on your deck and patio areas.
- Dust (or powerwash) your outdoor furniture and return it to its rightful place on the patio.
- Upgrade your backyard with some new furnishings or gardening accoutrements.
- Remove leaves from downspouts.
- Turn water back on to your outdoor faucets and reconnect garden hoses.
- Check your walkways and driveways for any small cracks (up to ¼”) that you can seal with masonry crack fillers. Anything larger than that may require a professional’s touch.
If your gutters and downspouts are packed with winter debris, then you should clear them now. If they’re not filled, consider waiting until after the seeds fall, so you only have to clean them once this season.
(Did you notice any ice dams over the winter? Then now’s a great time to clean your gutters – before April showers.)
Tip #3 – Declutter your home
Spring cleaning will be underway soon, so take the time to get your home ready for all the dusting and vacuuming. Pack up the winter items you can now and get rid of any items you don’t use or clothing you’ve outgrown. Remember – you don’t have to kick these items to the curb. Anything that can be reused, consider donating to your local community.
Home organization will also help to reveal any water damage that may have occurred over the winter months, such as leaks in your attic or basement. Catching issues early will help prevent mold growth and expensive repairs!
Additional March home maintenance tips
Spring is here, which means summer is right around the corner. If you have some time over your spring break, it may be a good time to call your HVAC professional to inspect your home’s air conditioning systems. You need to have the unit looked at twice a year, including once before summer. This way, you’ll be ready for the summer heat.
You may also want to consider inspecting your siding and foundation for any winter damage or even have a licensed plumber flush your water heater. Both of these tasks must be done during the year, and with foundation and water concerns, it’s always better to tackle them sooner rather than later.
Don’t forget about your monthly home maintenance checklist!
As you check these items off your March home maintenance checklist, don’t forget to complete your regular monthly home maintenance.
- Walk your property to catch any new damage or potential issues.
- Clean your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room drains.
- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Wipe out the exterior and interior of your cabinets and discard any outdated food.
- Clean the manual filter in your dishwasher – if you have one.
- Test your GFCI outlets in your bathrooms, kitchen, basement, etc.
- Replace or clean your HVAC filters (if your unit requires monthly attention).
Stay on top of home maintenance
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