Is your home feeling a little drab after the winter? The dreary weather, the cold winds blowing through open windows, and icy fingers can all take their toll on your house. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to spruce up your place right after the cold season. Here are some home maintenance reminders for you.
1. Clean out your gutters
After winter, your home’s gutters are probably full of leaves, stagnant water, and other types of debris. If this is the case, you will want to get your gutters cleaned out as soon as possible. Your gutter system can be a great source of water damage if not properly maintained, so you should have them cleaned by a professional at least once a year or as needed. You can also clean them yourself by using a gutter brush or getting up there and fishing the debris out by hand.
2. Inspect your roof for any damage
While you’re up there, you should also take the time to check your roof for damage, loose shingles, or other problems. These problems can result in other structural damages both in the interior and exterior of your home. If you don’t know how to do this properly, ask someone who does—a nearby contractor is often a good choice for this type of thing. They should be able to tell you if you only need minor repairs or a total roof replacement to fix the damages.
3. Inspect your windows
Your windows are probably the biggest source of heat loss in your home. In addition to being an eyesore, they let air in and out, making them very inefficient. You can stop this energy-wasting by simply checking around the window trim for air leaks. If you find any, try to use some form of insulation over the inside of the window. This will prevent further drafts. If you are unable to fix this type of problem yourself, you should contact a professional for help.
4. Tenderly trim your trees
Harsh winter weather can take its toll on your trees and shrubs. These plants are very sensitive to weather changes, so after the winter, you should do some general upkeep on them. For example, prune away dead or damaged branches. You can also fertilize your trees in early spring for a healthier season of growth next year. Remember to properly dispose of those trimmings to avoid any diseases or pests. Also, make sure to check for possible pest infestations like nests or insects.
5. Check around the house for pests
Unfortunately, rodents—like squirrels and mice—love the cozy warmth of the inside of your home. These creatures can also pose a health risk to you and your family, so it is important to get rid of them as soon as possible. Check for any holes in your foundation or exterior walls, including small openings around gas lines, air conditioning units, wires, pipes, etc. If you find any, patch them up immediately to prevent the pest infestation from getting bigger.
6. Clean your HVAC system
It is a good idea to get rid of all that dust and dirt accumulating in your heating system before the summer rolls around. This will ensure greater efficiency for next season. Turn off power on your unit before you do this, though. Just brush out the fan blades and coils to remove dust and dirt.
7. Get your carpets cleaned
Just like everything else in your home, all that dust and dirt will also settle on your carpets! After winter, it is time to get them cleaned. This will give them a fresh, just-vacuumed look that you will love.
8. Deep clean your walls
We know it seems impossible to believe now, but winter actually leaves a layer of grime on your walls! This is caused by dust and dirt from the outside attaching themselves to windows and door frames as people pass through them. To prevent this from happening, you should clean your walls with a slightly damp washcloth. Do not use any soaps or detergents, though, because they can leave behind a residue that attracts dirt and dust even more.
9. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
Before you can enjoy your springtime, make sure that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are working properly. Just turn them on to make sure the battery is charged. If it doesn’t respond, replace it with a new one immediately! It would help if you also vacuumed or dusted them to remove the dirt buildup.
The winter can be a harsh time for your home. From the exterior to the interior, there are many things that need upkeep or fixing before you get ready for spring. You should start by getting rid of any pests who have found their way in through small openings around pipes and wires. Next, make sure everything is clean! This includes dusting off all items inside your house as well as deep cleaning walls with warm water only (no soaps).
