Spring home maintenance tips for 2020

Thank goodness for the return of spring! The days are longer, the temps warmer, and we’re jumping into the season of regrowth. With the extra daylight, here are some spring home maintenance tips to protect your valuable investment and avoid problems later.

Clean out the gutters and downspouts.

There’s no telling what collected in your home’s gutters over the winter. That debris will prevent spring’s rains from flowing through the gutter and out the downspouts. Instead, the water backs up to your trim, eaves, and foundation, where it causes damage. 

Put on a pair of work gloves to protect your hands from sharp objects. Lay a tarp on the ground below to catch everything you toss down. Climb the ladder to clear out all of the gutters. Then spray them with a hose to make sure the water is flowing freely and properly from the roof to the ground.

Check the roof.

Get in the habit of inspecting your roof twice a year, in spring and fall. Look for broken, loose, or missing shingles. Inspect flashing around the vents and chimney for cracks that could lead to a nasty leak. If you don’t want to climb up on your roof, hire a professional. 

Get your air conditioning system serviced.

Avoid having an emergency service call in the heat of the Texas summer. Have your HVAC professional give the air conditioning system a thorough check. In addition, they will clean the coils and change the filter, which improves the unit’s efficiency.

Inspect your driveway and walkways.

Dramatic changes in temperature can cause cracks in the concrete. Use concrete crack filler or silicone caulk to fill in those areas. Also keep an eye out for loose pavers or stones along your walkway that might cause someone to trip.

Repair screens.

The bugs will be coming. Block their entry into your home by patching or replacing damaged screens. It’s easy and inexpensive to do it yourself with a few tools.

Prepare your deck and patio.

Power-wash the surfaces to clear away what the winter weather left behind. Test the wood sealant by pouring a small amount of water. If the water droplets stay on top of the surface, the seal is good. If the water soaks in, re-seal the wood surface.

Make repairs in the decking, stairs, and railing. Check for loose boards and exposed nails and bolts.

Give your patio furniture a good cleaning, check for damage, and let the cushions air out.

Rake the yard.

Rake up all the leaves, branches, and other debris from your lawn and garden, as it can prevent the healthy growth you want. Spring is also the best time of year to fertilize the lawn. Wait until the soil temperature has reached 55 degrees, which is when you’ll see the first buds springing up.

Test the sprinkler system.

Run each sprinkler zone one at a time and make sure they’re properly working, directing water where it needs to go. Also look for damaged sprinkler heads.

As part of your sprinkler system inspection, look for any areas of standing water. It’s a breeding ground for mosquitoes! Use compacted soil next to the foundation to keep water from puddling here.

While you’re at it, check your garden hoses and exterior faucets to look for leaks. The faucet should have a good water flow. If you can plug it with your finger, you might have a damaged water pipe inside your home that needs to be repaired.

It doesn’t take long to follow this spring home maintenance checklist and the effort now can save you plenty of time, trouble, and money that comes from letting little concerns become big problems.

More Home. Smart Choice.

Every HistoryMaker home reflects our “More Home. Smart Choice” mission—to provide the foundation for your most meaningful memories. We maximize functional space and include smart features that live the way you do. With intelligent construction methods, energy efficiency, and integrated home technology, building a HistoryMaker home is simply a smart choice.

If home maintenance has become a growing problem, you might be ready to start new. Look at HistoryMaker Homes’ new homes for sale in the Houston and DFW metro areas. Sign up to get the latest updates on our growing list of homes and communities.