As the welcome spring breezes begin to blow through your open window, your first thoughts to the changing season will likely not be related to home maintenance repairs that you’ll need to begin soon. After you take a few moments to smell the budding flowers, however, you should be prepared to jump into your spring cleaning- and spring repairs—full swing.
Here is a quick checklist of what you’ll need to take care of this spring to fully prep your home for the coming season.
Inside The House– While the changing weather may have the greatest impact on your outdoor activities, there is a still a great impact that can be felt on your indoor routine. Here’s what you need to look for this spring:
- Update your AC in preparation for those hot summer months, and have it inspected by a professional.
- Make sure your fire extinguisher is up to date and accessible, and that your family members know where it is and how to use it in case of emergency.
- Do a routine check of your electrical outlets and of those utilities you are regularly using. Are any cords frayed or plugs fitting properly into the outlets? Do not mess around with faulty electrical systems under any conditions.
- Make sure your lightbulbs are working properly and the correct voltage. If you are still using old style incandescent bulbs, switch to fluorescent which produce less heat and more long lasting energy.
- If you’ve been using a lot of hot water this winter, your water heater may be in need of an upgrade. Check for any corrosion or leaks, and get those repaired immediately if need be.
Look to the Outside- Now that your house is taken care of, let’s go outside and see what else needs sprucing up after the long winter. This is also routine maintenance that should be done annually, if not more frequently. Your house is a huge investment so you’ll want to take care of all parts of its upkeep.
- Cleanup the yard from any winter debris, including downed trees or branches.
- Spruce up your bushes, trees, and garden. Make sure that there is no overgrowth on top of any utility wires or other electrical equipment.
- Make sure that your driveway and sidewalk are ready to be fully utilized once again. If the pavement has cracked or become uneven since your last repairs, make sure these are fixed so that the surface is even.
- Make sure your roof hasn’t sustained any damage throughout the winter.
- Keep your gutters and waterspouts clean from leaves or other debris.
The above are all examples of regular home maintenance you should be taking care of, especially during spring cleaning periods. You also want to make sure that you have a solid insurance plan for your home during those periods between repairs or cleaning, or in the event of a catastrophic event. For a free home insurance quote with us at Berliner Gelfand Insurance, give us a call today at 203-367-7704. We look forward to keep your home and your family covered!