As we wave goodbye to winter, it’s time to do some spring cleaning and home prep. Use this season as an excuse to give your home a fresh start! By spending just a few mornings doing household maintenance, you’ll face warmer temps feeling renewed. Plus, spring weather is the ideal time to get outside — fresh air and blooming flowers certainly make chores more enjoyable.
Here are the tasks that should top your spring maintenance to-do list:
1. Clean your gutters.
Ideally, gutters should be cleaned out once a quarter, but that may be a bit of a reach for many homeowners. After the final frost is a great time to clear out the gutters and check for any damage or clogs. Clogged gutters and backed-up downspouts can result in rotted wood trim, and nobody wants to deal with that.
2. Wash mold and mildew off of your exterior.
Give your curb appeal a boost without painting the whole home! Washing your house is a time consuming and messy process, but it’s a key step in keeping your home looking presentable. Whether you rent a power-washer or use an extension mop and a bleach mixture, it’s satisfying to remove all the dirt, stains, mildew, mold, and bird droppings that wind up on a house.
3. Rid your roof of leaves.
Twigs, leaves, dirt, and other debris tend to pile up in the fall, and it’s important to periodically clear them off your roof. Besides looking messy, leaving it all on your roof too long can actually shorten the life of shingles. Use a leaf blower if you’re comfortable (but be careful!) or hire a professional if heights aren’t your forte.
4. Dust off your door.
If you didn’t hit it with the house wash, don’t forget to give your front door a good scrub with soap and water. Looking a little shabby after the winter? Give your home a fresh coat of paint for a front door that is crisp, clean and welcoming. If your door is worn-out or inadequately keeping in heat/air conditioning, browse our lineup of exterior doors to find the perfect replacement.
5. Update your hardware.
If your front door is still looking a little worse for the wear after washing, breathe new life into it by updating your hardware. Front door hardware is often overlooked in older homes, and can be irritating to use — not to mention unsightly! Choose a sleek, modern style leverset or go for a keypad. Check out our range of hardware options here to find the best fit for your home.
Maintaining your home’s exterior can be overwhelming if it’s all left to accomplish right before a backyard BBQ, or before you list your home for sale. A little seasonal maintenance goes a long way toward upkeep, so tackle your list bit by bit when the weather is pleasant. There’s no better time than now!