Spring cleaning is about more than just tidying up. Add these maintenance checks to your list to keep your home in tip-top shape.
Spring cleaning can be a great motivator to clear out clutter that may have built up around the home during the cold winter months. However, many families tend to consider spring cleaning complete after some decluttering and standard cleaning practices like dusting, floor care and wiping down appliances. While these steps are still important to take, adding a checklist of annual home maintenance steps to the spring cleaning roster can be a great way to maintain the overall health of the home over time.
Here are 12 maintenance tasks to add to your spring cleaning checklist.
1. Drywall Patching
Small drywall repairs are fairly simple to complete independently. Drywall can easily crack or dent, and holes in drywall are nearly inevitable when hanging things on the wall. With just a bit of joint compound, some sanding and paint, you can patch up any unsightly spots in drywall.
2. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Tests
It is recommended that these alarms are tested monthly and that batteries are changed at least annually. Though many detectors will chirp to notify the homeowner of a low battery, making this step a part of the annual spring cleaning routine can help ensure the task never slips through the cracks.
3. Look at Weather Stripping and Other Seals
In many geographies, springtime signals the rise of insects and other unwanted bugs. Doing a quick visual check of the stripping and other seals around doors and windows can alert you to any potential gaps where bugs may get in. This step also creates an opportunity to deep-clean seals, tracks and other tricky nooks that may not get as much attention year-round.
4. Outdoor Cleaning
Taking the time to clean outside the home can extend the life of your outdoor fixtures. For homes with decks, the area should be cleared of any fallen leaves, twigs, acorns and other debris, then sprayed down with a soapy solution to remove any buildup. Depending on the state of the deck, power washing is also a viable option.
5. Give Special Attention to the Basement
Because the basement serves as a storage area in many homes, it is prone to being forgotten. While the basement area should be included in all applicable steps, it can be beneficial to do another, basement-specific walkthrough to check for less obvious issues that may have formed over the course of the year.
6. Replacement of Loose Hinges
Replacing loose hinges has multiple benefits. Hinges that aren’t functioning properly can be noisy or interrupt the regular movement of doors and cabinets. However, loose door hinges can also lead to misalignment and door sagging—potential security risks.
7. Lock Functionality Tests
Sticky or otherwise finicky locks can quickly become annoying, especially if they are used on a daily basis. Completing a thorough walkthrough of the home and testing each and every lock will allow you to identify and fix the problem before it gets worse.
8. Turn On and Evaluate Outdoor Faucets
In many cases, winter leads to the shutoff of outdoor faucets. Once spring has arrived, it is likely safe to turn the water supply back on. When doing this, a quick test can be done to ensure nothing is amiss by briefly running the water to make sure everything is working properly.
9. Air Filter Changes
It is generally recommended that air filters are changed about once every 30–45 days, depending on the type of system installed in the home. If you haven't established a consistent air filter routine, spring cleaning is the perfect time to get a fresh start.
This can also serve as a reminder to check other filters that may need to be changed like those in range vents and air purifiers.
10. Chimney Check
It is important to check that nothing has built up in the flue of the chimney, including bird nests or other potentially flammable materials. Opening the damper and looking upward will often reveal the most obvious issues. While evaluating the chimney, be sure to check for any issues in the hearth or firebox, including cracks or missing parts. If a wood fireplace was used regularly during the winter, then hiring a chimney sweep is recommended.
11. Water Damage Walkthrough
Some forms of water damage are incredibly obvious, but others are more insidious. Walking through the home with the specific intent to look for signs of water damage can help you to catch potential issues that you had not previously noticed. Wall and ceiling discoloration and drips are both key warning signs.
12. Overarching Visual Inspection
Once everything that can be done independently has been handled, one final visual inspection can reveal other issues that may need to be addressed. This is also a time to make note of any do-it-yourself fixes that were ultimately unattainable and require a professional.
Hiring a home inspector to look over any areas of concern while conducting a thorough home inspection is a great way to ensure the home is in great shape, and to identify and fix any issues before they grow to do more damage.
