Spring is in the air!  Sun is shining, birds are chirping and home maintenance tasks need your attention.  Here is a quick checklist to keep your home in tip top shape this spring.

INDOORS

• Replace furnace filters an have a technician inspect your furnace / air conditioner
• Clean windows inside & out, as well as window tracks. Make sure weep holes are not blocked and lubricate any openers that are sticky
• Inspect caulking (inside and out), and touch-up or replace where needed
• Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Vacuum lint from dryer vents
• Vacuum all furnace vents in your home
• Remove / donate any items that you are no longer using (rule of thumb: if you have not used it in a year, get rid of it)
• Give your home a deep clean – all closets, cupboards, drawers top to bottom. Scrub baseboards and walls.

OUTDOORS

• Inspect your roof and make sure the winter months have not damaged any of your shingles
• Clean gutters and downspouts and make sure all drainage pipes are faced away from walls and foundation
• Turn your exterior water supply back on and check for leaks
• Reseal exterior wood work, (decks, trellises, fences, railings). Staining or resealing every year helps them to last longer
• Inspect for termites. If there are a bunch of winged insects flying out of a hole in woodwork, call a professional pest control technician immediately
• Check exterior paint and retouch if needed. If you are planning to repaint your whole house exterior, spring is the best time to take action
• Inspect your driveways, paths and concrete retaining walls & patch any holes or cracks
• Check all irrigation systems if you have them
• Remove first signs of weeds
• Rake any fallen leaves, branches or debris from winter months
• Fertilize your lawn
• Clear dead plants and shrubs from the home
• Check trees for interference with power lines and prune where necessary