by homewarranty.com
Spring is the perfect time of the year to start preparing your home for the warmer months ahead. Get outside and assess any damage your home may have sustained during the wet, winter weather. Here are a few tasks to get you started on your March Home Maintenance Checklist.
HVAC
Preparing your HVAC system for the summer months is one of the most important tasks to check off your list. Replace your air filters to help your AC do its job. Replace your air filter every 90 days. Check your outdoor AC unit. Remove debris, leaves, and dirt from around the unit.
Detectors
Install new batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Batteries should be replaced semi-annually. Dust all detectors and test them every season.
Ducts
Check your air ducts for cracks or poor connections to keep your cool air indoors this summer where it belongs..
Sump Pump
Check your sump pump for any blockage or debris that can keep your pump from doing its job this summer.
Check Your Deck
Use a garden hose to spray down your deck using a mild detergent. If the water does not bead up, it’s probably time to re-seal it with a maintenance coat.
All Hands on Deck – It’s Deck Safety Month
Foundation
Talk a walk around your house and check out its foundation. Look for cracks or leaks that might let water in. Experts say if you can squeeze a dime into a foundation crack, it’s time to bring in a specialist.
Shingles
When spring arrives, it’s time to examine your roof shingles. Look for lost, cracked, loose, or buckled shingles that need to be replaced. Make sure the flashing around skylights, chimneys, and vents is secure.
Gutters
Clogged gutters may not seem like a big deal, but when water is not allowed to flow from your roof and be directed away from your foundation, serious damage can occur to your roof. Depending on your house, you might want to consider a professional to tackle the chore safely.
Pests
Warmer weather brings pests that would like nothing more than to cohabitate with you. Inspect caulking around windows and doors, replace torn window screens, and check your attic for evidence of critters.
Check Stucco and Bricks
Look for chipping on the face of the brick, which allows moisture to penetrate. If your brickwork shows signs of efflorescence (white deposits caused by salt during water evaporation), The Brick Industry Association recommends dry brushing these bricks in dry weather to remove them. If bricks show signs of water damage, it’s time to seal them.
Tackle one or two jobs a week, and your house will be ready to take on summer.