Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Keep Track of Seasonal Upkeep on Your Home

Spring is a time of renewal. This is true not only for nature, but also for your home’s maintenance. When winter snow has melted and spring is just around the corner, it’s a great time to get a jump on any cleaning tasks, home repairs and improvements, and seasonal maintenance checks on your home’s exterior, heating and cooling system, plumbing, electrical and lighting, security and/or Smart Home systems, and yard cleanup and planting.

Making a home maintenance checklist will help you keep track and stay on top of all these routine tasks and projects to ensure your home looks and functions at its best. Here’s some tips on what to do to keep your home in tip-top shape.

Prep your flower beds in the spring to get ready for summer blooms.

Start with the Exterior

Once the ground has thawed, the snow has melted, and the weather is mild, it’s time to get out tackle general home and yard maintenance projects. Winter can be harsh on your home’s exterior. With the advent of spring, you’ll need to inspect your home’s exterior for any needed repairs or cleaning along with prepping your yard for the warm season ahead. We’ve compiled some items to include on your checklist:

• Inspect your roof for any wind or ice damage such as loose, cracked, or missing shingles or leaks.
• Inspect roof flashing around vents, chimneys, and valleys for damage.
• Check the exterior for damage including chipping paint, rotting wood, cracked mortar, or loose siding.
• Power wash all windows, house siding, and fences.
• Clean and repair window and door screens.
• Repair or replace caulking and weather stripping around windows, doors, exterior outlets, and mechanicals such as gas and/or electrical meters.
• Check for any tree limbs or dead drop hanging on or impeding electrical lines and call the electric company for removal.
• Clean out debris from gutters and downspouts.
• Check and replace any light bulbs from your outdoor lighting fixtures including wall sconces, porch lights, post lamps, landscape lighting, and flood or spot lights.
• Change out your air conditioner filter on central air systems or install your window units.
• Inspect chimney for damage and schedule cleaning if needed.
• Remove any winter insulation from your outdoor spigots and turn them back on along with any in-ground sprinkler heads.
• Clean, stain, or repaint the deck.
• Sweep or power wash patios, walkways, and the driveway.
• Fill any cracks in your driveway and re-tar the surface as needed. Replace any cracked or damaged pavers or landscaping masonry.
• Clean lint from the outside dryer vent.
• Clean out and organize garage and tool shed.
• Prep snow blower for storage by draining tank and disconnecting spark plug.
• Inspect lawn mower and replace/sharpen blade, replace any filters, oil, etc.
• Rake the lawn and garden beds to remove dead debris from the winter.
• Fertilize the lawn, prep flower and garden beds, and plant new bulbs or seeds
• Clean and check your gas grill. Replace any worn parts, and get the propane tank refilled.

Give your home the deep clean it deserves

Tackle Interior Spring Cleaning and Repairs

Spring is a good time to get some areas of your home’s interior clean and updated. It’s also a great time to plan any remodeling projects and start on seasonal décor updates to give each room a style boost. Here’s some tips to get you started on interior maintenance and deep cleaning chores to get your home refreshed and ready for spring.

• Have your heating system inspected by a professional now instead of waiting until the fall rush
• Clean or replace the furnace filter
• Clean your windows from the inside including tracks and sashes
• Open window if the weather permits to air out the house and let in some needed and welcome fresh air.
• Launder curtains and wash blinds or wipe down window shades. Replace any broken or worn blinds or shades.
• Shampoo or steam clean carpets, area rugs, and upholstery
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries
• Check fire extinguishers and replace any that are damaged or more than six years old.
• Clean out and organize closets and storage cabinets. Establish piles of items to give away, sell, or take to the dump. Add some storage bins and organizers to keep clutter under control.
• Clean underneath and behind large appliances including the stove, refrigerator, washer, and dryer.
• Clean the dust coils on the refrigerator and thoroughly wipe down the inside and dispose of spoiled food.
• Dust and/or vacuum under large pieces of furniture such as sofas, cabinets, hutches, dressers, chests, beds, and bookcases.
• Dust and clean all lighting fixtures including shades and replace any light bulbs that are burnt out.
• Wash down walls and woodwork.
• Clean out your fireplace hearth with a shop vacuum, and call a professional chimney cleaning service if creosote residue needs to be removed.
• Wash all bedding including sheets, blankets, quilts or comforters, pillow shams, dust ruffles, and mattress pads. Store away any heavier bed coverings or blankets not needed in the warmer weather.
• Change out seasonal home accents and refresh décor. This may include adding new pillow covers on throw pillows, table linens, bath towels, or decorative accent pieces.
• Put fresh spring touches throughout the house by changing out or adding new vases of flowers, house plants, decorative accents, wall art, and pops of pastel colors.

With a little work and preparation, your home will be clean, functional, and ready to enjoy in the coming months ahead.

Check tasks off as you go! Click to download the Spring Maintenance Checklist.

For more helpful information on home maintenance and seasonal updates, check out these articles in our Advice and Ideas section: "Get Your Gas Grill Ready for Grilling Season," "How to Choose the Best Gas Grill," "How to Create an Outdoor Container and Planter Garden," "How to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal," and "I Think I May Need a Utility Sink: Here’s Why."

Get ready for the spring and summer seasons with our great selection of outdoor products for your yard, patio, and outdoor spaces including grills and cooking accessories, patio furniture, fire pits, outdoor lights and fans, planters, mail posts, and yard décor.