Tips for Spring Maintenance

April 27, 2020 (Reston, Virginia)

Early Spring is a great time to focus on home and yard maintenance to protect your investment and help your family get the most from outdoor living space now through fall. Further (and we may be biased??), we find getting the home chores finished is fulfilling, provides a sense of accomplishment, and helps us feel at peace during our downtimes. Here are some simple actions that can avoid costly repairs or replacements later.

• Check your home’s siding, especially under eaves and near downspouts – water stains may indicate a need for gutter repairs or replacement.
• Clean leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts and reattach any gutters that are loose or detached.
• Pressure wash siding, decks, and walkways.
• Check decks, patios, porches, exterior stairs and railings for wood damage or deterioration. Open decks and wood fences typically need to be treated (re-stained or treated with tung oil) every 4-6 years.
• Check painted areas for weathering or flaking; spring is the best time for exterior painting.
• Inspect caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows and replace as needed.
• Clean and inspect window and door screens for holes that call for patching or replacement.
• Get air conditioning inspected and serviced before it gets hot (and have your furnace inspected and cleaned during the service call).
• Check concrete and masonry surfaces for cracking, heaving or deterioration.
• Inspect your chimney and other masonry for damaged mortar – and have them repointed if needed.
• Inspect roofing through binoculars for any damage or missing shingles. If there are buildups of pine needles or other debris in roof valleys, have them cleaned.
• Prune and trim bushes and trees—keeping them off your home or other structures where they can damage paint or siding as they grow.
• Mulch and re-edge beds and reseed any areas of your lawn that need refreshing.
• Inspect and test your sprinkler system for leaky valves, exposed lines and damaged or malfunctioning sprinkler heads.
• Check your foundation for masonry cracks – and consult a foundation specialist to assess and fill them if needed.
• Look for any low areas in your yard or next to the foundation that should be filled with compacted soil to avoid pooling water or foundation damage.
• Move any firewood stored near your home – making sure it’s at least 18 inches off the ground and 2 feet from the structure.
• Test outside faucets and garden hoses for leaks or damage.
• Check your lawn mower, edger, clippers and other equipment and get cutting blades sharpened if needed.
• Inspect and clean your outdoor furniture. Check metal for signs of rust or paint loss—a spray coat of enamel can prolong its life.
• If you haven’t grilled recently, check gas or propane grill burners for clogs and make sure gas hoses and connections are secure. Clean charcoal grills of any ash or grease residue.
• If you have an unfinished attic, look for signs of invading insects. Also check for mold, which can be a sign of roof leakage, poor insulation or insufficient ventilation.
• Change the direction on ceiling fans to counterclockwise as you look up at them to blow air down for best air circulation and cooling.