Photo credit: Mayr; Flickr.com/photos/mayr
In Minnesota, the month of March is unpredictable. Some years you’re shoveling a foot of fresh, new snow and cursing under your breath. Some years you’re slicing it off the tee on the back nine of your local golf course and cursing under your breath. Some years you’re doing both. No matter what Mother Nature dishes out in March, we know that spring is just around the corner. It’s time to get the house prepared with a handful of outdoor and indoor home maintenance projects. It’s important these projects be completed, as they’ll help save you money down the road. When the warmer weather finally arrives, you’ll fully enjoy it knowing your home is prepared.
Outdoor Projects
- Air Conditioner
Have a qualified heating and cooling expert inspect the home’s air conditioning. It may seem like an unneeded expense, but annual check-ups ensure the entire system runs smoothly. There’s no reason for the air conditioner to work harder than it needs to. And you’ll appreciate that the air conditioning is fully functioning when you hit the hot days of summer.
- Faucets
Hopefully your winter prep prevented any faucet freeze damage issues but a thorough inspection of outdoor faucets doesn’t hurt. Water should be flowing well from the faucets. And while you’re at it, you might as well find the hose in the shed, inspect it for rotting and hook it up for yard care that’s coming soon.
- Gutters
Get out the ladder and check out those gutters. With April showers around the corner, ensure the gutters are clear and flowing properly. The main job of gutters is to drain water away from the home, not into your basement or foundation. Help the gutters do their job. It’s all they ask.
Indoor Projects
- Hit the Laundry Room
It’s a good time to take a look at the washer and dryer. The washer hoses should be inspected for leaks. Cracks in the hose are a warning sign. The dryer vent should be cleaned of all debris not caught by the lint trap. This maintenance will help your dryer run less and you’ll be removing a serious fire hazard.
- Repair and Clean Window Screens
In Minnesota, we relish opening our windows to let in a cool breeze. Spring is the time to clean screens by giving them a good soapy scrub. It’s not the most fun you’ll have but you’ll appreciate the clean air flowing into your home when summer rolls around. For damaged screens, you can patch holes or replace entire screens.
- Vacuum Refrigerator Coils
The more dust that covers the coils behind the refrigerator, the harder that appliance needs to work to keep cool. This is the easiest spring job you’ll have. Simply run a vacuum hose through the area to keep it clean. It will save you energy costs and prolong the life of your refrigerator.
Being a homeowner provides many advantages, but it also brings with it the responsibility of maintenance. Preventative maintenance is less expensive than dealing with a problem after it has occurred. And it will give you peace of mind. Take these six maintenance steps annually each spring and your home will thank you. The health of your home depends on it.