The Spring Home Prep Checklist You Need to Follow

April 27, 2023

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Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home with some much-needed TLC. With winter behind us and warmer weather (finally!) ahead, it’s time to make sure your home is in tip-top shape. A well-maintained home looks snazzy and can save you money in the long run by preventing costly repairs. In this post, we’ll provide you with a spring home maintenance checklist for both indoors and outdoors to ensure your home keeps functioning at 100%.

Woman watering plants outside of home on a spring day
We are here for the return of green, sunny days!

Outdoor Home Maintenance for Spring

1. Clean Gutters & Downspouts

Remove debris from gutters and downspouts to keep things flowing and prevent water damage to your roof and foundation (try this gutter cleaning wand if you’re not a fan of ladders!). If you spot water stains near your gutters while you’re hard at work, this could be an indicator that the water is not running off your roof properly, which is a concern that should be addressed by a professional.

2. Inspect Roof for Damage or Leaks

Check your roof for any damage or leaks. Nail pops, shifted shingles, and cracked or missing shingles can all be problematic, so get them repaired before they become a bigger issue.

Contemporary French home in the country
#thelakeloft‘s roof is looking pristine on this fine day!

3. Check & Repair Caulking

Inspect the caulking and weather stripping around your windows and doors and replace any cracked or damaged sections to prevent air leaks (and to keep your home cool as a cucumber once the AC kicks on!).

4. Inspect & Update Sprinkler System

Check your sprinkler system for damage and make any necessary repairs and updates before turning it on for the season. We also recommend checking the sprinkler’s batteries if you have a battery-operated system!

5. Spray Off Deck or Patio

Give your composite deck a fresh start by power washing it to remove the dirt, grime, and webs that have accumulated over the winter. If you have a concrete patio, spray it down. Don’t forget to wipe down and set out your patio furniture and grill — let grilling season commence!

Covered porch with large table surrounded by bistro chairs
#thelakeloft‘s porch is covered, making it the perfect place to watch summer rain storms! Shop the bistro chairs here.

6. Clean Windows

Wipe away streaks, stains, and residue inside and outside your windows so the summer sun can shine through. We love using a simple homemade solution for a streak-free shine. Try mixing a few drops of dish soap with distilled water or combining 2 cups distilled water with 1/2 cup white vinegar. Place your mixture in a clean spray bottle, grab your microfiber cloth, and work from the top down for squeaky-clean windows!

The natural light pours in through #thelakeloft‘s sunporch windows!

7. Hook Up Aquor Hose Connector

If you have an Aquor Water System (something we recommend due to its seamless look, durability, and easy winterization process), it’s time to hook up your hose connector so you can access the water outdoors at any time. Simply attach the hose connector by pushing it in and turning clockwise.

Looking to get an Aquor system installed in your home? Use code ALMAHOMES10 for 10% off!

Water hose connected to spigot that is flush with house
The Aquor Water System is seamless, easy-to-use, and durable – what more could you want?!

Indoor/Outdoor Home Maintenance for Spring

1. Service HVAC System

Make sure to service your HVAC system before it gets put to work during the hot summer months ahead. Change the furnace filter to help your unit run efficiently and improve your home’s air quality, check all hose connections to ensure there aren’t any leaks, and confirm your air conditioner’s drain pans are draining correctly (out and away from the unit). Most importantly, you want to clean the grills on your air conditioner’s condenser unit. Do this with a garden hose using medium, not high, pressure. You can also call a service professional to service your HVAC system if this is not something you’re comfortable doing.

Man inspecting maintenance room
Ethan, our maintenance room guru, performs his springtime checkup on the space.

Indoor Home Maintenance for Spring

1. Clean Out & Organize Closets

Due to the seasonal temperature swings here in Minnesota, we have wardrobes for each season. Spring is the ideal time to clean out and organize your closets and donate those lesser used items, naturally making room for your spring and summer outfits.

French country primary closet with vintage closet doors
Is there anything better than a clean, organized closet?

2. Clean Out Dryer Vent

A clogged and dirty dryer vent decreases the dryer’s efficiency and also poses a fire risk. According to The National Fire Protection Association, dryers and washing machines cause an average of 15,970 fires annually with the majority of these incidents coming from dryers. 

Use this dryer vent cleaning kit to clean out your vent once per year. Here is an easy how-to video to help you if you’re a newbie to this checklist item!

Transitional, modern laundry room

3. Adjust AprilAire Humidity Settings

The humidity skyrockets in the summer, meaning we turn our AprilAire built-in humidifier down to balance our home’s interior relative humidity levels. It ties to our furnace system, making it super easy to adjust. As a general recommendation, The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers recommends keeping your home’s relative humidity between 40-60%. However, your home’s exact needs will vary slightly based on the season, outside temperature, and where you live in the country, so do some research to learn what level is best for your scenario!

4. Deep Clean Carpets & Rugs

Have your carpets and rugs cleaned to remove any dirt or stains that have accumulated over the winter. You can hire a professional to do the cleaning or do it yourself with a carpet cleaning machine. We love this one!

5. Change Out Decor to Fresh Pieces

Warmer temps mean it’s time to transition your home to a lighter and brighter color palette. Easy swaps that won’t break the bank include bringing greenery like a wreath or potted plant into the space, changing out bedding, rugs, and pillows to lighter fabrics and colors (think pale blue or soft yellow), and transitioning candles and air fresheners to fresh or floral scents!

Two women making a bed
Clean and classic – crisp white bedding is always in, but we especially love it in the spring and summer months.

Taking time to maintain your home in the spring can keep it looking and performing its best. Is there anything else you would add to this checklist? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to join our email list for the latest and greatest tips and home inspiration from our team here at Alma Homes.

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