The thought of cleaning an entire house can be overwhelming. Well, just remember that you don't have to get to every nook and cranny by the end of spring - take it room by room, and step by step. Once you get started, you might find yourself motivated to tick off every item on your task list!
Below you’ll find ten things to prepare for the warm days ahead.
Clean leaves from roof, gutters, and downspouts as needed
Leaves do more than changing colors during autumn - they also fall straight to your gutters! Gutters need to be checked and cleaned at least twice a year – in the spring and the fall. Clear it off debris every three months to prevent clogging your gutters and downspouts.
While this job can be easy to put off, it's necessary to keep them working and avoid corrosions (and more expensive and challenging work later on).
Don't have power tools? Check out Family Handyman's guide to cleaning gutters using two tools - a ladder and a shovel. Even a child's sandbox shovel should work!
Wash exterior windows and install or repair screens as needed
Got fiberglass or aluminum window screens? Cleaning them at the end of every season not only keeps them in tip-top shape, but also helps them last longer.
Begin by detaching your screens from the windows. Don't forget to label which frame belongs to which window with a piece of tape for easier reinstallation. Start by vacuuming both sides of the screen to remove loose dust, debris, and pollen. Lift to an upright position and wash both sides using a microfiber cloth or sponge. Rinse, dry, and reinstall!
Bust the dust! Clean interior window treatments and take a look at those baseboards
A lot of dust and dirt has probably accumulated on your baseboards if you're like the rest of us who don't clean them as much as we do our floors. Simply vacuum using the brush attachment, and wipe with a soft cloth dipped in a mixture of water, vinegar, and dish soap. Get to the grooves and crevices using a cotton swab or toothbrush.
Window treatments in "high traffic" areas of your home need to be cleaned more frequently. If you are weary of damaging your window covers during cleaning, it may be best to hire a professional.
Refresh the yard! Tidy up landscaping and flowerbeds and give walkways some TLC
In Oregon, the best time to start a landscaping project is in the months of April and May, as these spring months allow your plants to thrive and acclimate (sometimes even March depending on the plant). According to a comprehensive year-round yard maintenance guide by Dumpsters, there are 5 yard maintenance tasks you should do in spring:
Initial clean up - clearing leftover leaves, fallen branches, weeds, and ded shrubs
Mowing and edging
Fertilizing your yard
Spreading mulch - you’ll be surprised how a fresh layer of mulch instantly revives your yard!
Fixing existing structures - deck and sheds should be checked at least once a year for safety and cosmetic issues.
Clean yard furniture and grill
Nothing beats home-grilled meals, and we will soon enough be able to gather friends and relatives in our backyards. Keep your grill and outdoor furniture in tip-top shape with occasional cleaning. Outdoor furniture is built to withstand weather elements, but that does not mean that a little TLC won't help keep it looking great and extend its utility.
Wind, rain, sun, wine stains, guacamole on your outdoor cushions - all contribute to weakening your furniture and leave discolorations.
Whether you own a charcoal, pallet, or flat top grill, here’s a step-by-step guide by Home Depot.
Refresh paint, trim, and clean home exterior
Painting the exteriors is probably the quickest way to revive your home and increase its "curb appeal". Painting your entire house may not be that necessary, since different parts weather at different rates. A relatively cheap touch-up of your exterior trim might be all that's needed (not to mention touching it up increases your home's value much more than the cost of paint).
If you have recently removed vines or shrubs that had grown close to a wall, applying a fresh coat will bring back its original luster. Spring is the perfect painting season, so it's time to take out those paints and brushes!
Inspect roof for moss or signs of damage and contact a professional if needed
A well-maintained roof protects your home from water intrusion and should be inspected regularly. It is best to have it done during fall and spring, as recommended by the National Roofing Contractors Association.
It is also crucial that you familiarize yourself with various structural elements contributing to your roof decaying and losing its integrity.
You should remove patches of algae and moss immediately to prevent molds. Watch out for cracked caulk or sealant, or rusted spots, as these can cause rotting not only to the roof but also to the walls. While a roof inspection may cost you a few hundred bucks, it should be well worth it. A leaking roof may also jack up your electricity bill as it makes your AC work overtime.
Check and change HVAC air filters
Changing your HVAC filter is perhaps the quickest way to maintain your heating system's efficiency and should take you about ten minutes. Start by finding out what size of filter you need and running to a depot to purchase a replacement. First American Home Warranty provides a step by step guide, from locating the filter in your heating system to the actual installation process.
Test AC unit and/or have it serviced
Checking your AC unit may seem like a daunting task, but doing it yourself will save you the cost of having a technician come and do it for you. All you need is a thermometer you might have lying around.
First, make sure you have replaced your HVAC filter, then remove your vent covers. Figure out which ducts in your house are return ducts and which ones are supply air ducts using a tissue (return ducts should suck the tissue). Turn on your AC well below the current room temperature, and check the temperature in both ducts. Tape thermometers inside both ducts and leave for 10 minutes. Once you have gotten the results, subtract the return duct temp from the supply temp.
On a properly running AC system, you should see a difference of 20 degrees between your supply and return ducts. If the difference is less than 20 degrees, you might want to contact professionals to check your system.
Check batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
This is probably the most critical routine check on this list. Do you hear random chirps from your alarm? That means you need to replace the batteries immediately. Test every alarm and detector in your home once a month. It would not take more than a few minutes - press the test button to check if it will make a sound or alert.
Batteries in your alarms should be checked every six months, and make sure to replace them once a year to be safe (an exception would be 10-year battery smoke alarms).
Conclusion
Once you have completed everything on this list, don't forget to reward yourself! Pamper yourself, go to a dinner out, or order takeout. If you're from Portland, you might want to go on a quick day trip to one of these cool places. And make sure to tag yourself in a reminder when you're due for another routine maintenance check next year!
If these tasks sound like more than you’ve bargained for, give us a call and we’d be happy to give you a free cash offer.