The cold weather is subsided – spring is here!
April is an odd month – it is a time that is neither spring nor winter. It gets extremely cold sometimes, and it can be very cheerful. But more importantly, the time from February March is a time for rejuvenation where you take a little time away from all that’s happening for yourself. Winters can always be challenging - the cold weather, the constant snowfall, and the storms can take a toll on your body.
Just like you take some time to recharge, it is also time to look at the home – to assess the home conditions, check what needs repairing and take steps ahead of the warm weather.
Spring is beautiful with the days becoming longer and the warm weather. Ahead of this cheerful time, it is a wise move to look at the condition of your home. Unofficially, the month of April is ‘home maintenance month’ (at least what we want to call it).
Some people also like to call April ‘home improvement project month’, and we like to play along in the same lines because it is a wake-up call to inspect every nook and corner of the house that was neglected for quite some time. The last thing you want to see in the spring is constant repairs and the inconveniences just as you sat down to breeze off on a bright Sunday morning.
So before it gets ugly, here are 5 essential home maintenance tips ahead of Spring!
1 Clean gutters
After the last frost is over, it is crucial to take a deep look at your gutters and the downspouts. With the winter, there can be several leaks or cracks in them, and the chances are that you will find dirt and rot inside them.
Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause the wood trim at the ends to rot and invite all kinds of critters to seep through the wooden fittings. Instead of waiting until this happens, taking the initiative to clean them should be a priority. You need to have them running free in the spring with rain expected.
Check if you need even to replace them. If installed correctly, downspouts should channel the water away from the house and not seep through and damage the foundation.
2 Inspect the roof
Your roof must have done all the hard lifting in the winter, and winter storms take quite a toll on your roofing. Start your home maintenance routine by looking at the roof’s structure as you get ready for spring. You can do it the old fashioned way with a ladder, but now you can even use your smartphone with a selfie-stick to take a look at the roof.
Here’s what you need to look for:
If you notice any of these or have doubts within you about the roof, then it is time to call a roofer or a professional to take a look. A roof is what secures your home, don’t be second-guessing and choose not to call, assuming it is only a small issue.
3 Inspect driveways and paths
Freezing and the cold weather is rough on the concrete, Asphalt and other hardscaping material around your house. Once the snow dries out, take a walk around your property and look for damage. These can be on the walkways, paths and driveways. Check if there are cracks, visible dampness and if the solid-state of these materials are still in place.
Once the inspection is done, schedule repairs if necessary, you can quickly patch Asphalt, and small cracks in concrete are fixable. But if the damage extends deep down in the concrete, the chances are you might need to replace the entire block.
4 Schedule air conditioning service
One of the most common issues that home improvement specialists get is air conditioning repairs. Most of these repairs cost a lot of money for the homeowner simply because the homeowners did not take regular care of them. Just because it gets cool, it doesn’t mean that it is working efficiently.
An air conditioning system that is not regularly looked after will have its life shortened, and you’ll be purchasing a new unit sooner than you expected.
April is the time for air conditioning repairs. To get more extended life out of the colling system and keep it running for the longest, hire a professional to service the equipment before the spring. The chances are that your air conditioning unit will be working extra time towards April leading up to July.
5 Interior cleaning
Spring is an excellent time to clean areas of the house that often get neglected. These are the places you often choose to ignore on your normal cleaning routine. Window casings, tops of wall-mounted cabinets, and ceiling fans often go overlooked when you do your weekly cleaning, and this can be an ideal time to take a look at them.
You could also look at running a vacuum through upholstered furniture and mattresses. Take a look at your carpets and see the possibilities of getting the carpet professionally cleaned.
Take a look at the kitchen for any grease residue. If you detect any particles, consider washing cabinets using warm water and a mild detergent. The next stop needs to be at the bathroom.
The temperature changes can pave the way to become the perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew. When you start cleaning the bathrooms, make sure to use a strong cleaning fluid and leave it dry for a few hours before using it again.
While you clean, watch for any missing or worn out tile grout as this might lead to severe water damage if not repaired.
Time to START!
Spring cleaning in April can be the best thing you do because it leaves you enough time to get your house in order before the light-hearted weather. When you decide to clean, make sure you do it in the right way and take action immediately on the items that need fixing.
However, if you need a professional around the job, Accurate Home Improvements can be of help. With years of experience helping homeowners with every cleaning and home improvement activity, the team can help you get through your spring clean in record time.
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