Spring is all around us. The daffodils and tulips are blooming. Spring break is done and the children are back at school. It�s now time to start your home maintenance routine for spring. The air smells clean and it is not yet too hot to get the necessary maintenance jobs done. It�s a great time of year to get out, get some fresh air, and get something accomplished at the same time.

START BY TAKING A WALK AROUND YOUR HOME:

Take a good look at your siding. Does it need to be replaced or painted?

Inspect the walls and masonry for cracks or crumbling.

Check the doors, window frames and trim and make a note of all deficiencies such as cracked caulking or peeling paint.

Take a look at your gutters and downspouts for separation points that will need to be sealed. See if the gutters need to be cleaned out of debris such as old leaves.

Check any outdoor wiring for wear and tear, breakage or fraying

Take a look at your lawn so see if there are any patches that will need fresh seed.

Check your roof for any damaged shingles that will need repairing. Look for cracks and peeling.

Check the roof overhang for any water damage. Also take a look at the soffits and fascia.

Check windows for broken glass and screens for tears.

Look around for signs of termites. At the same time, check for any type of nests or rodent damage.


BACK INSIDE YOUR HOME:

It is time to change the filters in your heating and air conditioning systems.

Check each room for paint that is cracked or peeled.

Inspect each door, doorway and window from inside. Make sure that all seals including door jambs are still in good condition.

Test the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Now it the time to change batteries if you haven�t already done so.

Look around your basement for water leaks. Any moisture can be a sign of trouble.

Inspect for wood rot, termites and wood destroying organisms.

Inspect your attic for openings or signs of water damage. Check for any signs of rodents such as nests.

This is just a basic ordinary list of what every homeowner should look for during their spring home maintenance checking. Each individual home will have its own distinctive things that will need to be checked. Starting now gives you the opportunity to get an early start. You will have the entire summer to complete any large home maintenance projects that need to be attended to before next winter.