15 Maintenance Tips For Your Spring Cleaning Checklist

Anyone who lives in a cold climate knows that winter can be especially hard on a house. There are lots of ways to save on cooling costs this summer But you ensure you spend as little as possible when you do need your AC, giving your air conditioning system a little TLC will pay off, especially with electricity rates being the way they are.

Your septic system can only handle so much water at one time and when more people are flushing the toilet, using the shower, washing their hands etc. Over time - and over the course of several winters when the cement will expand and contract, those cracks will deepen and widen until it will take a major repair job to fix them.

Check that all windows and doors are secure. Additionally, check the snugness of the drain lines by using a crescent wrench or a pair of pliers. You may be able to repair or patch minor damage yourself, otherwise call a professional. Have the gutters and drains cleared and make sure all the guttering and downpipes are in good condition, so water is being carried away from the property in the way it should.

You can also prevent water damage by keeping your gutters and roof in good repair and by dealing with dampness wherever you find it. If you are thinking about paying for some repairs to your roof, many roof inspectors will do a general inspection free of charge.

This one really depends on your individual home, and even which part of the country you live in. Some places mostly just use window air units, while other places (like my home in Colorado) use a big swamp cooler up on the roof — these are fairly basic machines where a quick internet search can help you fix any issues that come up. Also homeservice refer to the user guides for specific regular maintenance.

Regular roof and gutters cleaning should be a mandatory part of your home maintenance routine as well. After a long winter, it is a good idea to spend time on preventive measures to help maintain your home and property throughout the year. HVAC maintenance is an important part of spring cleaning in your Barstow home.

Plus, you'll save more with regular tune-ups than you would be paying for a major repair. If you don't see a steady stream of clean water exiting the weep hole, poke a wire hanger into the hole, or spray it out with compressed air, and wet it down again. Most roof damage happens during winter from the weight of ice or snow on the roof.

Check and replace damaged caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors. Each season, take time to clear away any plants that didn't last through the winter and trim back any living plants so that they do not cause damage. This keeps air from getting into your attic or crawl spaces, and can save you up to 10 percent of your heating bill in the winter.

And while you're up there, check to see if your gutters need to be cleaned or repaired. Water heaters also need maintenance to up their longevity and reduce the chance of damage. Ensure that the grade of the land around the house encourages water to flow away from the foundation.

Each checklist ( Spring , Summer , Fall , and Winter ) includes a monthly breakdown of items for inspection, and is intended to assist homeowners to set up a regular schedule of check-ups and clean-ups. Twice a year, check your exterior doors and your home's windows to make sure the locks work properly and that the hardware is secure.

Spring Home and Garden Maintenance gets you outdoors to find and repair storm damage and prepare your yard for the growing season. To ensure efficient operation, check filters every month. If you own a townhouse condo, for example, you might not be able to get to your roof to inspect the gutters (well, maybe you could, but you'd tick off the neighbours).

Summer storms can drop 2-3 inches of rain at a time, saturating your yard and putting a strain on your septic system's drainfield (sometimes called a leachfield). Check hot water heater for mineral build-up; drain and refill. Outwards facing windows and doors are prone to damage from the elements, which could cause the seals around the frames to rot away.