Spring Maintenance Checklist
BrownstoneWorks • Mar 03, 2024
Brownstone Property Group's In-House List of Spring Maintenance Tasks
- Check for Winter Structural Damage Start outdoor maintenance by checking your property for any damage that may have occurred during the cold months. Do a visual inspection of the roof, chimney, siding, sidewalks, and driveway. Look for any loose shingles, damage, or issues that may have occurred.
- Look inside the property for any leakage water intrusion and damage – Inspect entire property, including basement top floor and side walls.
- Turn-on outdoor faucets, check for damage. Ensure you know where the turn on handles are. Open the water lines internally. Check the outdoor outflow for drippage.
- Inspect sidewalks at all sides of property including backyard. Freezing weather can cause cracks in cement or pavement. Consider sealing cracks to prevent further erosion.
- Check all drains to ensure they are clear of debris.
- Clean gutters. Visit the roof to ensure gutters are free of debris and drains are clear. Gutters are typically cleaned at least twice a year, and the biggest cleanup is usually in the Spring. Some homeowners may also want to consider installing gutter guards to reduce the gutter maintenance and improve the effectiveness of the drainage system.
- Flush Outdoor Drainage Systems - Drainage is essential for protecting property from flooding. Spring is an important time of year to make sure these systems are working properly. Consider having waste lines snaked.
- Look for deterioration on the roof and facade. Check for cracks, warping, or swelling. If there are signs of damage on the outside, there may be damage on the interior.
- Schedule HVAC inspection and replace all air filters. Heating/cooling systems ought to be serviced and cleaned at least once a year. Doing routine maintenance, system can prevent costly repairs or replacement.
- Inspect for pests. Look for signs of termites, cockroaches, ants, and rodents. hese pests tend to move into the interior during winter for shelter. Look in trees and along the roofline for signs of wasp nests from the previous seasons or potential entryways for other terrifying pests like bats, birds, or squirrels.
- Check all fire detectors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and emergency lighting batteries. Be sure all are functioning correctly, change batteries as necessary. Fix or replace any faulty detectors.
- Clean Up Yard Debris Outdoor Spring cleaning is the right time to freshen up the yard. Rake fallen leaves, cut back dead foliage, pick up fallen tree branches, and remove debris from flower beds. If you have ornamental grasses, remove the dead leaves in the early spring to give them room to sprout new growth.
- Prune Trees and Shrubs For many trees and shrubs, Spring is the best time for pruning. A healthy trim can help keep plants at a manageable size, improve flowering or fruiting, and help prevent plants from damaging your home. Keep branches away from the house to avoid attracting pests, improve airflow, and prevent mildew on your siding.
- Improve the Landscape Along the Foundation Perimeter The landscaping immediately next to your foundation can either improve the long-term soundness of your property or cause issues like rot, water damage, or pests. Start by clearing debris from around the foundation including from any window wells leading to the basement. Check the grading of the area around your property to make sure that water is flowing away from the foundation. You also want to avoid having soil or mulch right up against the foundation because it can hold moisture and attract termites.
