March 19th 2024

Spring has arrived, ushering in the perfect opportunity to welcome the fresh air and bask in the sunlight streaming through open windows. But amidst the joys of the season, it's prudent to spare a moment for some essential home maintenance tasks.

With the extended daylight hours of spring, you may find yourself confronted with minor yet crucial tasks resulting from the remnants of winter's chill—ice, snow, and the like. While it may not be as enticing as frolicking in fields of flowers, dedicating a few moments to these tasks now can prevent significant headaches later on.

Consider tackling these six key maintenance tasks either independently or with the assistance of a professional to ensure your home remains in top condition for the season ahead.

1. Inspect your home’s exterior and roof

No. 1 on any spring maintenance checklist is inspecting the outside of your home for any storm damage.

Depending on where you live (and what kind of home you have), it’s possible that your house took a beating during harsh, cold weather. Avoid nasty surprises—like a leaky roof—by giving everything a once-over now.

“It’s essential to inspect your home regularly for any potential damage,” says professional handyman Walter Bennett. “That includes checking the exterior and roof for water leaks, storm damage, or anything else that may need fixing.”

DIY route: If you feel comfortable climbing a ladder, you can easily inspect your home’s exterior.

2. Check for water leaks in the basement

What’s good for the outside of your home is also imperative for the inside’s darkest corners. It’s time to journey into the basement and look for water leaks or musty odors indicating moisture problems.

“Many homeowners neglect this important task, but it’s crucial to catch any potential problems early on to be fixed before they become more significant issues,” says Bennett.

DIY route: Start by inspecting the walls and floor for any signs of moisture or water stains. Check for dampness or puddles in corners and along the baseboards. Examine pipes, joints, and connections for signs of dripping or pooling water.

3. Reseal driveways and paths

Driveways and paths are another vital part of our homes that degrade during the long winter months. These areas need to be resealed every few years to protect against inevitable corrosion.

“??The freeze-thaw cycle is tough on asphalt, concrete, and other hardscaping materials,” says Dustin Fox, real estate agent and owner of Fox Homes. “In the spring, you should walk around the property to investigate damages to the paths, walkways, and driveways. Based on your findings, you can schedule the necessary repairs then.”

Call in the pros: Resealing a driveway isn’t rocket science, but getting the job done well takes time and experience. We recommend calling in the pros to be sure your driveway doesn’t end up looking like a patchwork quilt.

4. Get your chimney cleaned

If you use anything that burns wood to keep you cozy during the chilliest time of the year, you should schedule to have it checked at the end of every season.

“Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves are beautiful additions to any home, but they need to be appropriately cleaned and maintained to function safely and correctly,” says Bennett. “A dirty fireplace can cause a dangerous creosote buildup, leading to a chimney fire.”

Buildup can also occur in wood-burning stoves and cause them to not function as efficiently. If you start to notice that there seems to be less oxygen flow within your stove, it might be time to call a chimney sweep.

Call in the pros: Unless you have the safety equipment to climb on your roof and clean the chimney safely, it’s best to leave this to the professionals.

5. Clear gutters and spouts

Neglecting all the organic material that built up in your gutters over the past few months could result in significant structural damage to your home—so it’s best to check them as soon as the snow’s gone.

“Maintaining rain gutters matters because they are the first and most important defense against water damage to homes,” says Kevin Leahy of The SpoutOff. “Gutters and downspouts must be checked and cleaned regularly to prevent clogging.”

Leahy recommends paying particular attention to the outlet (the hole in the gutter at the top of the downspout), where many clogs originate.

DIY route: If you can handle being on a ladder, you can tackle cleaning the gutters on a warm afternoon. Here’s how.

6. Spiff up the yard and garden

Spring is the time to clean up all the random bits and bobs that landed in your yard and garden from winter storms.

“Remove all debris from last year’s season: leaves, branches, and other yard waste,” says Bennett. “This will help prepare your yard and garden beds for healthy new growth.”