It is still quite chilly but spring is clearly setting in. As the winter months give way to warmer temperatures and longer days, it's time to start planning spring cleaning. Late March is a great time to execute deep cleaning around your property and create space that can help protect your asset.
Here are some maintenance tasks to knock off your property spring cleaning.
- Clean Your Gutters: Let's start with gutters. Over the winter, your gutters may have collected leaves, dirt, and other debris. It is crucial to make sure that the gutters are clear and drain water properly at all times. Depending on the size of your property, you may need to contract this task out: The bottom line is, whatever you choose, make sure your gutters are cleaned out. Leaves on the ground can be mowed over with a mulching mower.
- Check Your Roof: Carefully inspect your roof for any visible signs of problems. Any signs of damage or wear and tear that may have occurred over the winter months must be carefully taken care of before they become more significant issues down the line. Don't forget to check your siding, if applicable.
- Pressure-wash Your Exterior: Strong winds and snow during winter can leave your property looking dull and dirty. To give your property a fresh look, a pressure wash might be a great tool. Make sure you carefully follow the instruction for safety.
- Inspect Your Trees & Trim Landscaping: Harsh winter snow, ice, and wind can easily damage trees. See if there are any broken or damaged branches that could pose a serious safety hazard later on. Trim branches to remove any dead/damaged brunches. Don't forget to trim branches that might be encroaching on your property to keep the window screens protected.
- Change Furnace Filters: Spring is a great time to change your furnace filters. They are generally inexpensive yet essential to ensure the heating system is running effectively.
- Replace Smoke & Carbon Dioxide Detector Batteries: While every detector has its own guideline, the general rule of thumb suggests changing batters in smoke detectors in the spring and the fall around/at Daylight Savings Time. Smoke and carbon dioxide detectors can be a lifesaver when you least expect it.
- Inspect the Crawl Space: Go into the crawl space and look for bugs or any water leaks. We highly recommend you equip yourself with coveralls, a facemask, a pair of kneepads, and a fully charged flashlight. Unless a sump pump is intentionally placed in the crawl space (to prevent flooding and water damage), the crawl space must not hold water. Make sure to check if the wood shows any indications of water damage.
- Flush the Water Heater: This task can be a bit overwhelming compared to other tasks mentioned, but it is highly recommended for the efficiency and longevity of your water heater. In general, sediments accrue at the bottom of the tank. You can flush the water heater to remove them. This job may not be easily done by non-professionals. If needed, contract this job out to ensure maximum efficiency and safety.
