The County Press

Spring Preparedness Home Checklist


 

 

Winter is ending, and spring is here. This means that it’s time to give your home a thourough once over to make sure everything is as it should be. Presented here is a list of items that should be checked each spring to make sure your home is in good repair.

Outside the home:

Roof — Look for loose or damaged shingles, raised nails or screws and loose or missing elements. These can leak and cause all kinds of damage. Be on the look out for debris and animal nests.

Eaves Troughs — Check for signs of damage. Dripping can indicate a blockage in the water flow and can cause problems.

Chimney & brick work — Look for cracks, missing mortar, and loose or missing bricks.

Exterior Walls / Siding — Check for loose siding or any other damage. Foundations — Be on the lookout for cracks in the foundation or signs of animals burrowing.

 

 

Sidewalks — Watch out for raised stones/segments in your walkway. These are a trip hazard. This is also a good time to get the edges cleaned off your walks to keep the grass and weeds away.

Flower beds — Make sure to remove dead growth and any debris to prepare for planting.

Windows — Check for damage to your windows. Be on the lookout for fogging/condensation in your windows, this can be a sign that you are leaking air/heat.

Lawns — Clean up debris and litter. Be on the look out for burrowing and animal nests.

Patios, Porches, Decks — Check all foundations and supports to make sure the structure is sound. Look for loose boards, raised nails, and any cracking or splintered wood. See if the surface of the deck needs to be restored/repainted/stained.

Grills — Clean out debris and check for animal nests. Follow any and all cleaning instructions for your grill model. Make sure your have propane/fuel.

Outdoor Furniture — Check for any cracking, splintering and/or warping. Make sure all pieces are structurally sound.

Inside the home:

Walls & Ceilings — Use a vacuum to remove dust webs and any debris. Use a safe cleaner for your walls to clean off any stubborn spots or stains (check the cleaner first on a small spot to make sure you don’t mar the surface.)

Grout — Make sure to clean grout on your walls, counter, floor. Reapply the sealant in any high traffic areas.

Rugs and Carpet — Clean all carpeting and rugs. Rugs with backing can be cleaned with a rotary shampoo machine. Rugs without backings need a professional cleaner.

Books, Bookshelves — Take everything off the shelves and dust the whole space. Dust off all the books and other objects before replacing them.

Furniture — Remove all cushions and coverings from all your furniture. Using an upholstery attachment clean out all crevasses, nooks, and crannies. Clean and wax any wood furniture. Be sure to follow all cleaning and care instructions.

Dusting — Be sure to clean all the hard to reach spots, like tops of fans, window cases, and anywhere else dust settles.

Home Safety — Check batteries in smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and any other safety devices in your home. Make sure your devices still work properly.

Windows — Clean out the window sill area removing dust and debris. Clean any window screen with water, a light detergent, and a clean rag. Make sure the screen is intact and that all latches and locks are functional.

Sources: www.bobvila.com/articles/2355-spring-home-maintenance-checklist/www.marthastewart.com/267295/spring-cleaning-checklist