We made it to spring, and summer is almost around the corner! With the days getting longer and longer, it’s time to tackle your spring checklist to get ready to make the most of your summer with significant savings. If like most homeowners, you’re already making a list of spring-cleaning jobs to perform in the coming months.
Make sure you don’t forget about your heating and cooling system when creating this list. A little cleaning and maintenance now will prepare your system for the next air conditioning season and reduce the number of service calls. Here is our to-do list:
Photo by Adelkazaika via Pixabay
Here are our top tasks to include on your spring checklist.
-
1. Start by checking out your roof
-
2. Clean out your gutters and downspouts
-
3. Check around for cracks
-
4. Remove dead plants & debris
-
5. Reseal woodwork
-
6. Test run your sprinklers
-
7. Check and open your windows and screen doors
-
8. Clean your HVAC system
-
9. Change your filters
-
10. Run a quick test on your HVAC unit
-
11. Schedule a bi-annual HVAC maintenance
-
12. Choose a fixed-rate energy plan
1. Start by checking out your roof
Winters can take a toll on your roof’s conditions. Even if your roof did not take a hammering from the snow, spring is an excellent time to inspect it. First and foremost, if you’re using a ladder, check sure it’s stable before attempting to ascend. Examine the roof for missing or broken shingles, as well as evidence of leakage or cracking or missing metal pipes, or just anything that doesn’t look right. In the event of a problem, seek the advice of a professional.
Check your shingles for deterioration and check for evidence of leaks or wood damage on the outside and in your attic during spring maintenance is part of our spring checklist. Certain repairs may be covered by the correct home warranty package. Examine your home warranty coverage to determine whether it covers roof repairs.
During the spring, you should also consider cleaning stains from your roof. If you observe any black streaks, algae is most likely to blame. In that situation, the only harm is aesthetic. On the other hand, if you discover moss, you should absolutely clean it. In severe storms, moss can cause asphalt shingles to lift, curl, or blow off. To clean it, apply a mix of equal parts bleach and water to clear algae or moss. Rinse it off after around 15 minutes. Don’t use a pressure washer or scrubber since you might harm the shingles.
2. Clean out your gutters and downspouts
It’s critical to get your gutters and downspouts cleaned and fixed after the last frost. Clogged gutters and downspouts may cause the wood trim at the eaves to deteriorate, which can encourage all kinds of rodents into your attic area. Cleaning your gutters and downspouts early in the season will also help prevent spring rain damage.
3. Check around for cracks
Take a tour around your house, looking for cracks in the driveway, pool deck, or pathways. Use silicone caulk or concrete fillers to fix cracks. If the concrete fractures are too severe to be repaired, consider replacing the concrete entirely. The effects of freezing and thawing are harsh on concrete, asphalt, and other hardscaping materials.
4. Remove dead plants & debris
Getting rid of plant waste in your yard benefits your house in two ways. For starters, it permits new plants to grow in their spot, so beautifying your yard. Second, dead plants may cause fires, and with temps rising, you don’t want flammables so close to your home.
Spring is also an excellent time to clean up flowerbeds and give them a makeover, so we got that as a part of our spring checklist. Compost pile dead organic materials may also be used as fertilizer. To discourage weeds, add a layer of gravel on top of the soil. Use compacted dirt in low parts of your yard to prevent foundation damage and floods.
Take care of your lawn now to preserve beautiful green grass throughout the summer. Begin by raking the lawn thoroughly to remove thatch and dead grass. This will also make it easier for fertilizer and seeds to penetrate. After cultivating, check to see if the lawn has firmed up and is suitable for seeding.
If your yard has a lot of tree cover, try a shade-tolerant seed mix, or use a hard-wearing mix if your grass sees a lot of traffic in the summer. Overseeding should be done on bald regions. To give your lawn a boost, use nitrogen fertilizer.
5. Reseal woodwork
Railings, fences, terracing, and other wood structures require attention as well. If left alone, these buildings are prone to deteriorate and rot. Repair any damage to the panels of wooden fences. If the wood is dry, split or fractured parts can be bonded back together. Tape the parts together while the glue dries. Planks that are too damaged to be repaired should be replaced.
Use a power washer to revive worn wood, then protect it with wood oils and wood preserves. Decking oil is ideal for fence maintenance since it keeps the wood pliable and resistant to water. Exterior wood oil helps to protect wood and can assist to extend the life of your fence.
6. Test run your sprinklers
As they get back on duty, keep an eye out for leaks and sprinkler heads that aren’t working properly. Check that your sprinklers are watering your lawn and not your porches or walkways.
- Manually walk around run the system through all of the zones.
- Discover any fractured or damaged heads.
- Adjust any spray heads that are spraying the house, particularly the windows, as this can cause moisture issues.
- To minimize wasting water, adjust spray heads that are spraying the street, sidewalk, or porches.
- If you don’t know how to maintain your sprinkler system, hire someone who does. You’ll save money on your water bill while also protecting one of our most important natural resources.
7. Check and open your windows and screen doors
Screens are intended to let the wind in while keeping pests out, but they can only do so if they are free of holes and rips. Before putting up your screens for the next warm months, make sure to thoroughly inspect each one and fix any holes or tears, no matter how tiny. Screen repair kits are available at most hardware and home improvement stores.
8. Clean your HVAC system
Your HVAC ducts have been dragging in dust, allergens, and pet hair all winter. The spring season is ideal for cleaning your duct vents and registers. To clean the grills, first remove them from the vents. Remove any visible dirt from the grill and wash it with warm water and a light soap. You might also wish to arrange a duct cleaning. This will remove any trash and allergens from your home’s HVAC ductwork. So you may be certain that the air in your house is clean.
9. Change your filters
HVAC filters should be updated every 90 days as a general rule. This will make your system work more efficiently (up to 5% more efficient) and will enhance the air quality in your house. There is also no such thing as replacing your filters too frequently. Filters may be changed out periodically to help minimize allergens for people who suffer from seasonal allergies or pet allergies.
10. Run a quick test on your HVAC unit
After you’ve cleaned up the area surrounding your outside unit, it should be ready to go! Go to your thermostat and set it to the cooling mode. Adjust the temperature just enough to switch on your system. Wait a few minutes before confirming that the system is operational, and that cold air is beginning to flow around the house.
During this test, ensure sure all ceiling fans, windows, and doors are turned off and closed. If the air does not appear to be sufficiently chilly, check that the thermostat is set to the proper temperature and setting. If everything appears to be in order but you’re still not getting cold air, it’s time to get your system tuned up and the coolant updated.
11. Schedule an annual HVAC maintenance
Spring is the ideal time to get your air conditioner cleaned and ready for the hot temperatures of summer. Clean the coils and drain pans, and remember to replace the filters on a regular basis. Ask for a professional air conditioner tune-up to evaluate your air conditioner and verify if it is operating properly and effectively.
You may give air conditioner tune-ups for the cost of a service call if you have a house warranty. Each year, not cleaning your air conditioner might result in a 5% loss in efficiency, and that sums up each year.
12. Choose a fixed-rate energy plan
Spring is the ideal time of year for reduced pricing in energy rates, that’s why you should include this on your spring checklist. During these months, homeowners use their heating and cooling systems less resulting in reduced demand on the grid.
During months with mild weather, it makes providers more competitive for clients and eager to give bargains at reduced rates. Overall, the optimum weeks for switching providers are late September to Halloween, and late March to early May.
