Do you dread spring cleaning?
Do you have a laundry list of items to fix around the house?
Do you have the clean gene as part of your DNA?
For most homeowners, we look at spring cleaning to dust a few rooms and throw out some old junk. The standard spring cleaning acts as a way to infuse our homes with the clean gene DNA. We may tell ourselves, this is the year our piles will disappear.
After all, it doesn’t take too much everyday to keep our homes in tip top shape all year round. It only takes a little daily commitment to the task. From some home cleaning experts, if this is your goal, then here are 5 tips to help.
- Know the Difference Between Tidy and Clean.
- Make Tidiness a Daily Habit.
- Clean As You Go.
- Collect Less Stuff.
- Keep a Junk Drawer.
In reality, homeowners can take advantage of the annual reminder as a way to ensure our home maintenance remains on track.
It goes without saying that consistently maintaining your home, whether cleaning the countertops and bathrooms or regularly checking the furnace and AC unit, pays dividends in the long run…especially for the big stuff.
But don’t just listen to us…the experts in home value agree as well. Home maintenance works and here is why and how.
So take advantage of spring cleaning and start your home maintenance with these actionable tips.
1. Check Your Windows and Doors
During winter, the harsh weather conditions can break down some of the caulk and other weather stripping used to prevent air loss. Take some time to carefully examine all of your doors and windows and be ready to repair any issues.
The added bonus is proper sealant helps during the summer and winter because it prevents your inside air from going outside. Properly sealing your windows and doors will make your home more comfortable, so take some time to review your house during the spring before it gets too hot this summer.
2. Test the Sump Pump or Risk a Flood
As we all know April Showers Bring May Flowers.
If you live in a neighborhood that suffers from flooding, then you likely have a sump pump in your basement. Take the time to test your sump pump to avoid coming home from a weekend trip to a flooded basement.
For any homeowners that are thinking about adding a sump pump, then we have a nice Sump Pump Buying & Installation Guide that can help your decision making process. Feel free to call with any questions.
3. Clean the Dryer Vent
All homeowners should note that clogged dryer vents are a possible fire hazard. But clogged vents are inefficient and blow warm air back into the house. During the spring and summer, then you’ll spend money trying to cool your home air, so don’t waste money heating it too!
If you are curious if your dryer is clogged, then some telltale signs are excess lint, strong odors and longer dry times.
Here is a quick 4-step process to clean your vents:
- Remove the vents and wash them (just like you’d wash dishes in the sink).
- Dry the vents…completely.
- Wax the vents, liberally (just like waxing your car).
- Buff the wax off the vents.
The vents are now shiny and able to repel the dust. Since this is fairly tedious, be glad this only needs to happen once a year.
4. Check Your AC Unit
The spring season is a great time to call a local HVAC contractor to take a look at your AC unit. Most homeowners can replace the air filters, but it is a good practice to have a professional inspection conducted annually prior to cooling season.
Why?
A professional will know the ins and outs of the system and make a few tweaks to keep the AC unit functioning efficiently, which means lower cooling costs.
5. Pressure Wash Your Patio or Deck
As the weather improves, we tend to gather outside! Afterall, we’ve been cooped up inside for the last few months. We may be eager to get outside, but we might overlook how the winter weather impacts our decks, patios and driveways.
The solution: pressure washers!
By pressure washing your deck and/or patio, you’ll be able to clean off the dirt, dust, debris and other stains on these areas to improve the overall aesthetics of your home.
Plus, using a pressure washer can be a nice weekend project. It can be a little complicated to get started, but with a little know how, your decks and patios will look great.
6. Clean Your Grill
Part of why we enjoy the spring and summer is the relaxing outside and enjoying the fresh air. Throwing some hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill might be the quintessential outdoor activity.
Typically, our grills sit idle during the winter, so take some time to clean and condition your grill before guests arrive. The extra effort will make your food taste great, but also ensures that dirt, cooking fuels or burnt foods will not harm your food this year.
To clean the grill, here are a few quick steps:
- Gather cleaning utensils like wire brushes, all-purpose grease cleaners, rags, soap and warm water.
- Remove cooking grates.
- Scoop out any leftover food particles or debris.
- Use cleaning solution and rag to wipe down the bottom of the grill.
- Clean and clear burners to remove any clogs.
7. Drain Water Heaters
Not many homeowners are aware that sediment collects at the bottom of hot water heater tanks. The build up can cause the water heater to stop working properly or start leaking. During the spring cleaning season, then drain your water heater to make sure you’ll have hot water all year long.
For gas or electric heaters, the build up will ultimately cause premature failure of your water heater. Through an annual draining, then you’ll extend the life of the water heater and also keep it working efficiently, which will reduce costs.
If you don’t feel comfortable draining the sediment yourself, then call a plumber to help.
Typically, spring cleaning means vacuuming the house, cleaning the garage and sorting through some junk. All of this is important because it helps us feel pride in our homes.
We focus on helping homeowners with understanding their home is a system. We think spring cleaning is a great opportunity to check up on the parts of the system that will be needed in the coming months before any problems occur. Most of these action items only take a few hours, so within a few weeks, you’ll feel confident that your home is prepped and ready to go this summer. And if you find anything alarming, you don’t have to wait for an emergency to fix it. SolvIt is here, 24/7, to help with any of your home needs.