Essential Spring Home Maintenance Guide

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Our Spring Maintenance Checklist

If you are reading this, it means you understand, or are at least curious, about the importance of taking care of your home. Just as a car needs oil changes, or your lawn needs mowing, a home requires continual maintenance to prevent future disaster. With spring in full swing, follow our recommended guide to taking care of your home for, and during, the upcoming warm season.

Monthly Maintenance

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3688″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Inspect HVAC Filters

You would be amazed by how quickly your utility costs can increase because of neglecting to check, clean, and/or replace your HVAC filters. Although some experts recommend replacing your filters every month, we recommend checking monthly and replacing accordingly. Homes with pets, or other sources of allergens, may benefit from monthly replacement.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3693″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Clean Kitchen Disposal

Allowing unpleasant gunk to build up in your disposal is fun for no one. The best way to prevent and/or eliminate this problem? Vinegar ice cubes. Simply fill up your ice tray – which is probably annoyingly empty anyways – with vinegar. Toss the frozen cubes into the disposal and grind away. The vinegar will act as a cleaner and odor eliminator. As an added perk, the ice cubes will behave as a sharpener for your blades. How ‘bout that.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3694″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Inspect Fire Extinguisher(s)

*Out of concern – not judgement – if you don’t own a fire extinguisher, PLEASE purchase one for each floor of your home. Unexpected things happen.*
Fire extinguisher inspection is quick and easy. Make sure you, and anyone responsible enough to operate, have easy access to each extinguisher. Check for adequate pressure, and make sure there are no signs of wear and tear.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3699″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Clean Range Hood Filter

Range hood filters are responsible for collecting grease, so if it’s doing its job, it’s going to be…well, greasy. Just like any filter, the dirtier it is, the less effective it is. To clean, fill sink with hot water, degreasing dish soap, and some baking soda. Let the filters soak for 10 minutes, scrub, and rinse. Easy peasy.

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Quarterly Maintenance

 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3700″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] Run Water in Unused Bathrooms

Many homes have bathrooms that go virtually unused throughout the year. Special occasions may be the only use these bathrooms experience. In order to ensure everything is working properly and no grime is building up, run faucets and flush toilets in any unused bathrooms.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3695″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] Test Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

It’s scary to know that these detectors are commonly the most neglected safety features in one’s home. Simply use the test button to ensure the detector is working properly. Fortunately, most detectors today create a beeping noise to signal a need in battery replacement. If testing a person’s temper was the goal of this feature, it has succeeded beyond its wildest expectations. No sound? Your detector either needs new batteries, or the terminals just need a quick cleaning.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3697″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] Garage Door Auto-reverse Feature

After multiple deaths caused by the absence of this feature, it is now federal law for all garage doors to possess auto-reverse. To test, simply place a 2×4 where the door closes and check to see if the garage door fails to reverse. Have photoelectric sensors? Place object in front of sensors and check to see if door immediately retracts. If not, you have a problem.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3689″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] Check Water Softener

Avoid hard water buildup by checking your water softener and adding salt if needed.

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Spring Maintenance

Because your home is about to face a drastic change in weather conditions, it is essential to focus on the following inspections:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3696″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] Exterior Drainage

With the rainy season ahead, it is crucial that water is draining away from your foundation properly. If you find that water pools near, or even flows toward, your foundation, some options need to be considered:

1. A faulty spout may be causing excess water to build near your foundation and will require necessary maintenance or replacement.
2. Improper grade around your home may need fixing. Simply build up the grade around your foundation with dirt.
3. If pavement is the issue, a professional may need to come and raise it.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3691″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] Clean Gutters

If your home is surrounded by trees, your gutters will likely be full from the fall season. Additional buildup of grime from winter snow makes cleaning out your gutters extremely necessary. Improper function of your gutter system can lead to severe, and expensive, damage to your home.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”4377″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] Repair/Replace Window Screens

Prevent bugs, and debris, from entering your home by replacing broken window screens. Don’t be the guy or gal with duct tape on their windows.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3692″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] Clear Dead Plants and Shrubs

Doubling as a gardening tip, this is a great time to trim any trees and shrubs located in close proximity to your home. Many homeowners underestimate the strength of plant growth. Working their way into cracks and holes in your foundation, these plants will cause severe damage to your home.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3690″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] Inspect Roof For Damage or Leaks

Damage to your roof will likely require professional repair.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While this checklist may seem daunting and inconvenient, neglecting your home will inevitably lead to problems far less convenient than proper care. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]