The joy of emerging from your home after a few cool months can quickly be negated when you see the things in need of repair. Use this list to help keep your spring cleaning projects in order:
Indoors
- Check the walls and woodwork. Repaint dark woodwork with a brighter color.
- Make a list of anything that needs painting or staining.
- Have your air conditioner or evaporative cooler serviced and replace all filters.
- Have ducts and vents professionally cleaned.
- Identify the small things like leaky faucets or loose cabinet doors. Have a handyman make all repairs at the same time to avoid multiple visits.
- Clean or replace grout or caulk in bathrooms.
- Have carpets professionally cleaned.
- If you have ice dams on your roof in winter, call a contractor to install new roof vents.
- Dust and clean light fixtures and ceiling fans.
- An attic or whole house fan might be an appropriate solution for drawing warm air from the lower levels of your home.
Outdoors
- Inspect the entire exterior of your house.
- On wood siding and trim, look for paint that is lifting or peeling, for splitting wood or areas where the wood grain is separating ("checking") from water getting into the wood.
- Having a professional painter waterproof and paint your house now will fill gaps and help your wood siding and trim last longer, saving you money in the long run.
- On stucco, if you can rub a chalky residue onto your hand, oxidation of the paint or color coat is reducing the stucco's insulating value.
- Sweep off all spider webs and dirt from the exterior window sills and clean the glass.
- Remove storm windows or doors, and replace with clean screens.
- Power wash, sand and reseal your deck before it is exposed to the heat.
- Replace splintered or worn deck boards.
- If you are thinking of adding a porch or deck, now is the time to call a professional.
- Make plans to install a new sprinkler system or walkway.
- Spread mulch around shrubs and flowerbeds for a clean looking yard.
- Remove debris that may have settled in gutters during winter.
- Ensure that the downspouts are directing water away from the foundation of your house.
- Check the roof for loose or damaged shingles and contact a roofing contractor for repairs.
-- Tips courtesy of Service Magic
Cumberland Real Estate | Overland Park | Lowell | Grand Rapids | San Luis Obispo