Spring is right around the corner, and what is more satisfying than giving your home that extra seasonal attention it deserves? Here are some suggestions for easy spring home maintenance to keep your home in excellent shape and ready for the gorgeous warm weather.
TOP 10 SPRING HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Spring is right around the corner, and what is more satisfying than giving your home that extra seasonal attention it deserves? Here are some suggestions for spring home maintenance in Northwest Arkansas to keep your home in excellent shape and ready for the gorgeous warm weather.
INSIDE
1. Change Air Filters
One of the most important tips for spring home maintenance in Northwest Arkansas is to change the air filters. Not only will this help extend the life of your HVAC unit, it will also help keep dust and allergens from giving your family a stuffy nose when you’d rather be outside enjoying the weather!
https://www.consumerreports.org/clothes-dryers/how-to-clean-your-dryer-vent/
2. Switch Fans to Downdraft
As the weather warms up in the spring, you will want your household fans switched to rotate counterclockwise. This will create a downdraft and push air towards the floor to create a nice cooling effect. When things start getting chilly in the fall, you can reverse directions to clockwise and pull cool air up from the floor to the warm air trapped around the ceiling and then recirculate it.
https://homewarranty.firstam.com/blog/change-ceiling-fan-direction
3. Replace Batteries in Smoke Detectors and CO Detectors
Don’t wait for the beep! House fires are more common than we think, so be proactive and change out batteries every 6 months. Why not take this opportunity to review basic fire safety, escape plans, and fire extinguisher use with the whole family? Bonus tip – if your alarms seem to sound randomly it may be due to dust on the sensors. Grab a can of air and spray out the debris to quickly fix the issue!
4. Vacuum Your Coils and Vents
Did you know your fridge can use up to 15% of your home’s electricity? Keep it running as efficiently as possible by cleaning the coils regularly. Similarly, clogged dryer vents can lead to longer dry times which also increase your utility costs. More importantly, it can even cause fires if left unchecked. Finally, take a few minutes to clean out your air conditioner’s condensate line – with a rag, some vinegar, and a shop vac you can greatly extend the life of your unit!
https://www.consumerreports.org/clothes-dryers/how-to-clean-your-dryer-vent/
5. Flush Water Heater and Check Pressure Relief Valve
Flushing your water heater removes all the sediment that collects at the bottom and helps prolongs its life. All you need are a YouTube video, a garden hose, screwdriver, stocking, and rubber band! Mineral and corrosion buildup can cause the pressure relief valve to lock up, which causes leaks, so go ahead and check it at the same time.
Video Instructions to Flush Water Heater
Testing Your Pressure Relief Valve
6. Clean Your Garbage Disposal
Show your garbage disposal some TLC this spring by freezing white vinegar with small chunks of lemon in ice cube trays. Run the disposal and drop a handful of ice cubes down – the ice will help clean off your blades while the citrus and vinegar disinfects the area and combats odors.
https://www.hgtv.com/design/design-blog/clean-and-organize/diy-garbage-disposal-cleaning-cubes
OUTSIDE
7. Repair Caulking and Weather Stripping
Checking the seals around your doors, windows, and in wet areas like the bathrooms and kitchen is an inexpensive way to help your house be as energy efficient as possible and will also reduce water intrusion. It also freshens up the look of a room!
How to Replace Weather Stripping
8. Open Crawl Space Vents
If your home sits on a crawl space, this is the time to start opening the vents to allow air circulation. This will help reduce moisture build up, which can encourage mildew and rot over time.
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/heating-cooling/21173202/should-crawl-space-vents-be-open-or-closed
9. Clean Outside of Windows and Check Screens
In addition to your usual indoor wipe down, choose an afternoon to tackle the outside of the windows. It’s a great time to remove insect nests, webs, and general dirt accumulation. You’ll need to take your screens off to clean them, so why not check those for tears that could allow insects into your home when you just want to let the spring breezes inside?
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-windows/
10. Clean Debris from Gutters
The benefits of clean gutters go far beyond simply redirecting rainwater; clogged gutters quickly become homes for insects and rodents and can lead to water damage to your foundation, walls, and roof. Whether you clean them yourself or hire a professional to do the job, this activity protects your investment in your home.
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/why-gutter-cleaning-so-important.htm
HIRE A PRO
If you would rather not be the one to tackle these spring home maintenance items, you can hire a local Northwest Arkansas home maintenance company instead! R&D Routine Home Maintenance is a terrific local company that offers a variety of scheduled maintenance plans for your home or rental property. They can also help you with other professional home services – from plumbing and electrical to general contracting and remodeling.