House hold items

5 Spring Home Maintenance Tips

Hallelujah. Spring has arrived. For those of us who’ve been trapped inside our homes to stay out of the cold, we get to rediscover the outside world again. It’s also time for some home maintenance items that will help you avoid big repair bills later on.

Inspect your roof.

Whether you have shingles, tin or even concrete tiles, your roof is your home's first line of defense against water damage. Now is the time to inspect and repair any water damage. If you delay, you could find yourself facing water damage inside your home, too.

Clean your gutters.

Gutters direct rain away from your roof and home, protecting both in the process. Clogged gutters, meanwhile, open your home to water damage—and there's a good chance you won't notice the damage until you need an expensive repair.

Clean or replace your HVAC filters.

You need to do this more often than once a year. A dirty filter forces your HVAC system to work harder, which in turn drains your wallet. It could also shorten the life of your blower motor.

Clean your dryer vent.

Not all lint is caught in the lint trap; some makes its way into the dryer vent. A clear vent will save you money by reducing the time your dryer has to run. A plugged vent not only wastes money, but could also cause a house fire.

Check the washing machine fill hose.

Look for cracks that could become leaks. A leaky hose under pressure can cause major damage in a short period of time.

Clean and repair your screens.

rying to reduce your electric bills this summer? In many parts of the country, you can keep your house cool (at least at night) by opening windows. Gently scrub on a flat surface with soapy water. Also, patch small holes, as needed.

Clean decks, driveways, fences and other outside surfaces.

A pressure washer makes the work much easier. If you don't have one, borrow one from a neighbor or rent one from a home center. While you're cleaning, inspect for damage that needs mending. Fix cracks in your walks, driveway and the outside of your home.Unlike the human body, cracks in asphalt, concrete or stucco don't heal themselves. Fortunately, most of these repairs are fairly easy if done immediately.