As soon as the snow melts and the spring temperatures warm up, our attention turns to that long list of home maintenance to-do items that we’ve been thinking about all winter long. We’ve put together a list of common home maintenance and safety items to consider when working around the house.
5 home areas to inspect for spring maintenance
Living Area Maintenance
- Ensure the fire extinguisher in your kitchen is in serviceable condition. The arrow on the gauge should point within the green.
- Test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working properly.
Yard Maintenance
- Inspect sidewalks and patios for heaving that would present a trip hazard.
- Trim trees and bushes close to the home to prevent damage to siding. As they grow, branches can end up working their way under siding and into soffits. Opening up the area around the home increases ventilation and reduces the occurrence of moss and mold on shaded parts of the home.
- Trim back trees to ensure summer storms don’t cause branches to come crashing down. Consider removing larger trees near the home that show signs of distress or illness as a preventative measure.
- Inspect furnace and dryer vents for blockages and accumulations. Vents pipes without louvers or screens are susceptible to birds and rodents building nests. Dryers are a leading cause of home fires that can be easily prevented with routine maintenance.
- Ensure gutter downspouts are attached and directing water away from the foundation.
Roof Maintenance
- Inspect shingles, flashing, and gutters for damage from the winter.
- Re-caulk dried up seals around roof penetrations to prevent leaks.
- Ensure fireplace and wood burner chimneys have a spark arrestor/drip cap. This ensures sparks are kept in, and wildlife is kept out.
Garage Maintenance
- Inspect extension cords for damage. If the cord is damaged, discard and replace.
- Discard of old containers of chemicals. Over time some chemicals will begin leaking from their container. Check with your local municipality on proper disposal methods.
- Ensure the fire extinguisher in your garage is in serviceable condition. The arrow on the gauge should point within the green.
Basement Maintenance
- Inspect basement walls and floors for signs of leaks, cracks, or bulging as a sign of water pressure in the surrounding soil.
- How old is your sump pump? If it’s older than 10 years and is regularly kicking on, or is older than 20 years without much regular use, consider replacing. Look for a sump pump with battery backup in case of a power outage.
- Do you have an area in the southwest corner of the home that could be used for protection in the event of a tornado warning?
Visit our learning center to find more tips like these. Our local agents will work with you to develop a personalized home insurance package.
