Owning a home requires year-round responsibilities, but you don’t need to dread these tasks. Home maintenance is easier than you might think. The key is to take seasonal preventive measures that are manageable and certainly less expensive than the costly repairs that’ll be needed if you neglect your property. Here’s a guide to the essential tasks you’ll want to complete this spring.
Spring can be an unpredictable time. Early on, snow is still a concern, while heavy rains, flooding, and high winds occur throughout the season. Experts estimate that 30% of all home insurance claims occur in the spring. Household chores during the spring months should focus on preparing for unpredictable weather patterns as well as cleaning any damage from the winter. Here are some vital spring home maintenance tasks.
Clean out your gutters. Between the snow melting and spring showers, there is the potential for a lot of water to be pouring through your downspouts. Make sure your spouting drains are clear and working properly.
Conduct an exterior inspection of your property. You likely haven’t spent much time outside during the winter. Spring is the ideal time to look for loose siding, missing shingles, and hanging branches.
Check your sump pump. Spring is a great time to go down to your basement and inspect your sump pump. It’s crucial to take action to ensure that water from the outside doesn’t cause damage inside. Test to ensure that your sump pump has enough water to raise the pump’s float and make sure it’s pumped out properly. If you have any concerns, consult a plumbing professional.
Renovate with modern materials. Hail can cause expensive damage in the spring. If you need to replace siding or roofing, use impact-resistant material to help prevent future damage. Modern materials follow a national standard that can be used to ensure you’re using the correct products to guard against hail and wind damage.
Turn off your home’s water supply when you’re on vacation. Experts say 45% of property claims are related to interior water damage. To avoid costly damage to your home, consider turning off your home’s main incoming water valve when you’ll be away for longer periods. It’s also wise to inspect the pipes to appliances, sinks, and toilets for leaks or loose connections.
Taking a little time and investing a little effort will ensure that spring remains the beautiful and joyous return to the warmth we all love, and not a home maintenance headache. And, if we haven’t said it enough before now, spring is also the perfect time to change your furnace’s air filter if you haven’t swapped it out lately. That way, you’ll be well-prepared for spring’s airborne allergens.
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