Seasonal Home Upgrades: Preparing Your House for Spring

 After a long winter season, you’re not the only one in need of a little TLC to recover from colder weather and darker days. Your home certainly takes the brunt of nature’s many twists and turns and will be in need of some attention as spring rears its heads. Whether you’re preparing your home to be sold in the spring or simply looking to bring a breath of fresh air into your abode, these tips will help guide you in the right direction! 

 

Bring clean air into your home 

 

Your heating has no doubt been working hard throughout the winter, and cooling down your house for the Spring will no doubt require as much work. Give your HVAC (Heating, ventilation, Air Condition) system a full check up, replacing air filters, cleaning out dust and debris, and testing the functionality of your ducts. Ducts can be a tricky task and may not be entirely necessary to tackle. Educate yourself on signs that your ducts need immediate care before you begin or bring in a professional. You’ll be happily breathing in clean air in no time! 

 

Take precautions to prevent flooding

 

As the temperatures gets warmer, any ice or snow that may be stuck in your gutters will begin to melt. Even if you live in an area with minimal snowfall, springtime is bound to bring about rainier weather conditions that can threaten your home with water damage. Before the temperatures really increase, check your gutters for ice dams that create an excess pool of water, and use melting tablets to break them down. Don’t forget to pay close attention to how the water you’ve just melted drain out of your gutters. Harsh winter weather can bend your gutters, causing the water to pool around the foundation of your home. If this is the case, make the appropriate repairs to ensure the water drains away from your house. 

 

Check your pipes 

 

Transitioning your pipes throughout the seasons is oftentimes one of the most sensitive things about being a homeowner. Not taking precautions when temperatures drop can lead to frozen pipes- which can additionally lead to burst pipes that can bring about thousands worth of damage. If you had your pipes wrapped to protect from colder weather, unwrap them and check for any cracks or additional damage that may lead to leaks. Looking for evidence of any water stains in the surrounding areas can serve as helpful indicators of damage. Pipes are an important part of your home and lifestyle, so seek out the help of a local professional plumber in order to ensure your plumbing is in top health! 

 Repair winter damage 

Give your home exterior a once over to check for any damage that may have been caused by the abrasive conditions. Replace or repair missing and cracked areas of your roof, and check for deteriorating caulking around windows and door frames. If you have a deck or patio, get your favorite outdoor seating areas spring-ready by mending cracks in cement or brick, or replacing old wooden slabs and beams in the infrastructure. 

 Beautify your home 

 

Give your home a facelift in order to celebrate the new season! Whether you’re staying with the same color or switching things up, refreshing your siding or repainting shingles will give your house a fresh look. If you’re not looking to take on that much painting, opt for small painting projects, like refreshing the front door, shutters, or adding a new coat to the porch. Spring time is the ideal time to start up projects requiring painting as the perfect temperature for paint is between 50 and 90 degrees. Waiting until the sweltering summer heat can cause the paint to dry too quickly,, resulting in air bubbles and streaks. 

 Plan to start major renovations 

If you’ve been thinking about adding an addition (hello, new master bedroom with grotto shower) or embarking on other home improvement projects, this is the perfect time to do so. Starting in early spring will not only help you avoid oppressively hot working conditions, but also have your home ready to be put on the market by the season’s end or to be enjoyed by your loved ones throughout the summer! If your renovation is going to require hiring a crew of handymen, be sure to schedule your work before spring is in full swing to avoid waiting months for your dream home.