Spring is finally here, and it’s the perfect time to give your home a thorough check-up to ensure everything is in working order for the warmer months ahead. To help you with this, here is a helpful list of home interior and exterior home maintenance tasks to tackle this season to keep your home in tip-top shape. 

Spring into Action! Spring is the perfect time for homebuying and experts at Mortgage 1 can help. Call 1-866-532-0550 or get preapproved today with our easy-to-use digital preapproval app. It takes as little as 15 minutes.

Exterior Home Maintenance

Assess Your Home’s Exterior

Review your home’s siding, trim, brick, and stucco for damage that could lead to moisture infiltration. To protect your home’s exterior, repair or replace damaged materials as necessary.

As a helpful reminder, experts suggest allocating 1% to 2% of your home’s value yearly for routine maintenance. Conducting a seasonal check-up helps you plan and budget for any required upkeep.

Inspect Your Roof and Gutters

Examine your roof for any shingles that are missing or damaged from the winter and look for any possible signs of leaking or cracking.

Clear away any leaves or debris that can clog your gutters. Improper gutter drainage can lead to water in unwanted places and ultimately – more expensive repairs. Make sure to check the valleys between the roof peaks for a buildup of debris.

Schedule a Chimney Inspection

Arrange for a professional chimney sweep to clean your flue and inspect the exterior for any damage or signs of wear. A chimney inspection can help you identify any necessary repairs, blockages (such as nests and debris), odors, and any potentially toxic fumes. 

Inspect Outdoor Plumbing

Check your outdoor faucets, HVAC units, pool equipment, outdoor irrigation systems/sprinklers, and anything else that’s spent the cold winter outside. 

Test outside faucets by first letting them run. If there is a lack of water pressure or visible leakage, you may need to call a professional to inspect your pipes to determine the point of damage.

Clean your Dryer Vent

Some lint manages to escape the lint trap and makes its way into the dryer vent. A clean dryer vent can save you money, improve airflow/dryer performance, and most importantly can help protect your home from dryer fires. 

Check Your Windows and Doors

Caulk and other weather sealants can become hard and cracked from winter weather and can let cooled indoor air escape. Making necessary repairs can keep the heat and humidity out of your home, and save you money on your utility bills – bonus!

While you are checking your windows, check your screens for damage. Repairing any tears or holes can help keep the pesky bugs out and let the cool breezes in this spring. 

Interior Home Maintenance

Service Your HVAC System

Keep your HVAC system running efficiently by hiring a professional contractor or following DIY maintenance tips. Changing interior air filters every three months to increase air quality and alleviate common spring allergy symptoms. 

Routine Home Safety Checks

Because you don’t use them frequently, safety and emergency features are simple to overlook, but that doesn’t mean that they should be. 

• Check the batteries for your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace them if necessary
• Check the state of your exhaust fans
• Check that your fire extinguishers are up to date and working properly. (The fire extinguisher gauge should be “in the green” when properly charged).

Examine Your Attic

Inspect your attic for adequate ventilation, moisture, and unwanted insects and critters. Proper insulation and ventilation can help improve your home’s airflow and deter mold growth. 

To protect yourself from insulation, it is recommended to wear long sleeves, long pants, and gloves.

Examine the Basement

A basement can be prone to dampness and insects when not properly maintained. Look for signs of moisture, leaks, water stains, and any odd smells (like mold or mildew). Dampness can indicate higher levels of humidity or inadequate ventilation. 

If you notice any of these signs, they should be addressed immediately to prevent any serious damage to your home. 

Mortgage 1 Is Here to Help You This Spring

We hope that these interior and exterior home maintenance tips prove valuable as you welcome the new spring season. Should you need assistance with mortgage planning or have any questions, our mortgage specialists can help you. Contact us below or give us a call at 1-866-532-0550.