It may feel like we’re still in the very depths of winter – indeed, many of us are. But spring is coming, and we should prepare for it. This is the season that marks the start of new beginnings, so it’s only right that we prepare our homes to welcome these new beginnings. Here are some ways to prepare your home for spring.
Have your deck or porch resurfaced
If you find the outdoor parts of your home looking somewhat drab, consider refreshing your deck or porch. This will up your home’s curb appeal and real estate value. It’s also going to prepare your home for summer barbecues. You should also look into deck waterproofing. This will prevent the formation of mold and mildew and protect the foundations of your home from water damage – a perfect upgrade for the very rainy season of spring.
Lawn maintenance
As temperatures rise, your lawn will slowly begin to emerge from its period of dormancy. To prepare your lawn for this new season of growth, make sure to start by raking it thoroughly. Even if your lawn appears clean after a long winter, you still need to rake the grass blades that didn’t survive during the season.
You’ll also need to test your grass soil for alkaline and acidity levels. The best pH level for grass is a neutral one. You can test your grass by using a test kit or sending a sample to your landscaper. There is also a home remedy for testing your soil without a kit. It involves using water, vinegar, and baking soda. To test your soil for alkalinity, pour ½ cup of water over a soil sample, then add ½ cup of vinegar. Fizzing or bubbling indicates alkalinity. To test your soil’s acidity, add ½ cup of water to a soil sample before adding ½ cup of baking soda. Fizzing or bubbling means that the soil is acidic.
Spring could also be your chance to make your lawn more low maintenance. You can do this by paving over it. Having a smaller area covered by grass means less to mow, fertilize, and weed.
Check on your roof and gutters
Your gutters could be clogged from dirt, leaves, and snow. Make sure to inspect them and make any necessary preparations to keep your home protected from water damage. See to it that your roof is still in good condition too. Clear snow and debris as soon as you can, as these can make for a heavyweight upon your roof, causing it to wear out faster. Have a professional inspect the roof if necessary.
HVAC maintenance
Checking on your HVAC systems regularly ensures that you won’t be spending more money than you need to get your home to the perfect temperature. Make sure to have the filters cleaned every so often. Clogged filters mean that your HVAC systems have to work harder and will end up costing you more. Check on your air conditioner and see if it’s still working well after a long season of dormancy.
Remove salt stains
One of winter’s not-so-pleasant leftovers is the salt that stains our floors and carpets. When spring comes, make sure to clean off these stains with a mixture of white vinegar and water. Spray the solution onto your floors and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it off with a microfiber cloth or a carpet brush if you’re cleaning the carpet.
Have your windows replaced
Ideally, you should have done this before the winter as an insulation measure. But if winter damaged your windows or you’ve put this off for a while, now is the time to do it.
Vinyl windows are one of the popular window replacements among homeowners. They’re affordable, easy to clean, and energy-efficient. Vinyl window replacements also make homeowners happy. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) gave the project a joy score of 9.6 out of 10, indicating that window replacements bring joy to homeowners.
You can also install glazed windows. These can be double- or triple-glazed. Glazed windows are composed of two or three panes of glass separated by a small space of air. These air spaces make glazed windows excellent insulators, as they keep heating and cooling from passing through to the other side of the window.
The arrival of spring brings forth new beginnings. Unfortunately, a spring landscape can also be a picture of winter’s unsightly leftovers – salt stains, water damage, and a lawn that’s seen better days. Make sure to do your spring cleaning along with the other home maintenance checks we’ve mentioned above for a hopeful and pleasant spring season.