Spring arrived on March 20, so naturally just five days later the Washington region was covered by three inches of snow. Hot chocolate season may be dragging on a bit, but make no mistake, spring is here and summer is fast approaching. Now is the time to prepare your home for the coming higher temperatures and famous Washington humidity with some basic home maintenance and upkeep. Follow these simple tips to help keep your home safer, more comfortable and, of course, more energy and cost efficient.
Spring/Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
- Inspect the exterior of your home and examine caulking around windows and doors. Replace cracked caulk and weather stripping.
- Inspect your roof and replace any broken or missing shingles.
- Clean out all gutters and downspouts.
- Rake away leaves, broken branches and other lawn debris.
- Spring is one of the most important times to inspect your home’s HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
- Ensure all air filters have been replaced or cleaned.
- Check your air conditioner to ensure it is in good working condition. Remember, if it needs to be serviced, it’s better and less expensive to do it now than in the heat of summer.
- Clean your dryer vents. A clogged dryer vent can actually cause warm air to blow back into your laundry room which ultimately makes your air conditioner work harder.
- Test all emergency systems in your home, including fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and home security alarms.
Remember, it doesn’t take long and the little things you do today can minimize repair costs later, keeping more money in your pocket for lemonade and backyard BBQs. Happy spring!
