Buying a home is like entering into a marriage – it takes commitment and maintenance to make it work. Granted, no one pictures the perfect day as standing on a ladder cleaning out gutters or covered in dust from cleaning out air filters, but seeing that your home is most likely the largest financial investment one will make in a lifetime, it’s a good idea to maintain it. A home in Chicago has different maintenance needs in each season, so let’s look at what your home may need for spring.

Yard Maintenance

With spring comes new life, so be sure to rake up any leftover leaves to allow new plants to sprout. Spread mulch around your beds to keep in moisture as the temperatures rise, and reseed any bare areas of your lawn and fertilize the existing grass. Inspect your trees to see if you need to trim off any dead or damaged branches. Weather permitting, turn your outside faucets back on and water your plants or grass if need be.

Exterior Maintenance

Winter definitely takes its toll on a Chicago home, so an exterior inspection is a must. Check the foundation, driveway, and exterior concrete for cracks, damage, or areas of water pooling.  Make sure there are no cracks in the gutters or vertical flow pipes. Check for any wood rot on the stairs, bannisters, patios, or decks. How does your siding look, do you need to give the house a good pressure washing, or a new paint job? Once you’ve done your inspection, you’ll have a good idea of the maintenance projects that need to be done. 

Interior Maintenance

HVAC

Your heater most likely worked some overtime this winter, so it may be a good idea to call a technician and have it serviced. Servicing typically includes a full inspection of the duct work as well as a cleaning and servicing of the vents, outdoor and indoor components, and the compressor. This is also a good time to change out your air filters, clean out your air vents,  dryer vents, or baseboard heating vents.

Plumbing

Take a look at all of your exterior pipes under the sinks and in the basement and inspect them for cracks or leaks. Check all of your faucets to be sure they’re not dripping or leaking. Inspect the flapper valves in your toilets to be sure they’re not worn and take a look at the caulking around the base of your toilet to see if it needs to be redone. Keep an eye out for any water stains on your ceilings and walls, as those are a tell-tale sign that there’s an interior leak.

Alarm Maintenance

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors take very little maintenance and are a good line of defense in case of a house fire or leak. The batteries should be changed annually but it’s also a good idea to test your alarms themselves and replace them if necessary.

Pest Maintenance

During the winter months, pests such as mice, ants, and termites tend to nest to get away from the frigid temperatures of winter. You want to be sure that they’ve not chosen your abode as their own. When giving your home a thorough spring cleaning, keep an eye out for any pest droppings or shavings from burrowing. Check for any holes or cracks that lead to the exterior of the home and seal them up.  If you have exposed wood, look for signs of termites. It may look like small granules on the floor below the wood, or a long thin tunnel created by the termites from the wood along your walls or ceiling. If you suspect termites, call for a professional inspection right away.

While owning a home does require some work, creating a seasonal maintenance checklist makes it much easier. After all, it’s better to do the maintenance than have to do repairs. What are your springtime home improvements?