It’s that time of year again. You’ve been working hard to get the house clean, welcoming in the fresh, warmer air of spring. The windows sparkle, the floors shine and that funky, closed-in smell of winter is gone. Everything looks great!
Uh-oh! Could it be that you’ve missed a few things? Things that could potentially save you a ton of money in the not-so-distant future? The simple answer is yes. If you haven’t cleaned your air conditioning filter or vacuumed the refrigerator coils, or you haven’t re-caulked your windows, you’ve definitely not completed all your spring cleaning tasks. These chores (I say chores because although necessary, they aren’t very fun), if not performed, could end up costing you a lot of money in home repairs in the future. State Property Management advises to add these spring home maintenance tasks to your spring cleaning checklist and keep your hard-earned money where it belongs – in your wallet!
1. Clean the Refrigerator/Air Conditioning Coils
Both appliances work in much the same way – by exchanging heat through a system of coils. When the coils are covered in dirt and dust, the appliance has to work much harder to keep things cool, costing you more money. Pull the fridge out from the wall and vacuum the coils on the back. Do the same with window and outdoor air conditioning units, too.
2. Schedule Annual Maintenance for HVAC Systems
I know, it costs money to have someone come in and clean and maintain your heating/cooling system, but trust me when I say it’s much cheaper to pay for a routine cleaning than a major breakdown later on. Just do it.
3. Inspect Your Roof
Once winter is over, it’s a good time to get on the roof of your home and inspect it for damage. Repair any small issues yourself or make an appointment for an expert to fix bigger problems. Keeping on top of roof repairs will save you tons in water damage inside the home later on.
4. Clean Out the Gutters
It’s a nasty job, but it has to be done. Water can’t move freely through clogged gutters, but it does flow freely OVER them, which is bad news for your foundation. You may not notice an immediate issue, but over time, this excess water around the foundation of your home can lead to erosion and weakening of the structure, and that is an expensive fix.
5. Get Rid of Lint in the Dryer Vent
Not only is it dangerous to have a clogged dryer vent, the appliance doesn’t dry as efficiently when it isn’t vented properly. Remove the dryer vent hose completely, make sure it’s clear all the way through, and if it’s not, clean it out or replace it.
6. Check the Washing Machine Hoses
While you’re in the laundry room, check the water hoses on your washer. Over time they can crack and leak, which can lead to mildew, mold and water damage. Sometimes these leaks are so small they go unnoticed for quite some time. A moldy basement is yucky, unhealthy and expensive to repair.
7. Re-caulk Windows and Doors
You probably caulked the windows and doors before winter set in, but even the best caulk job can give way during the cold weather. Check your caulking job and re-caulk windows and doors that display cracked, missing or shrunken caulk.
8. Plant a Tree or Two
Early spring is the perfect time to plant new trees. If your home is excessively hot in the summer as the afternoon sun beats down on it, plant a tree or two to help shade it. Not only will you be helping the environment, you’ll notice a difference on your energy bill.
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