Spring Cleaning Made Easy..Part 3 ~ Outside Home Spring Maintenance

To wrap up our Spring Cleaning Made Easy series, we are going to look at nine tips for spring maintenance on the outside of your home.

1. Check for loose or leaky gutters. Improper drainage can leak water into the basement. Make sure downspouts drain away from the foundation and are clear of debris.

2. Low areas in the yard or next to the foundation should be filled with compacted soil. Spring rains can cause yard flooding, which can lead to foundation flooding and damage and in summer it creates a breeding ground for insects.

3. Use a screwdriver to probe the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks. Make repairs now before the spring rains do more damage to exposed wood.

4. From the ground, examine roof shingles to see if any were lost or damaged during winter. Shingles that are cracked, buckled or loose or are missing granules need to be replaced. Get a pro to check the metal guards called flashing around plumbing vents, skylights and chimneys.

5. Examine the exterior of the chimney for signs of damage. Have the flue cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep.

6. Inspect concrete slabs for signs of cracks or movement. All exterior slabs should drain away from the home's foundation. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk. When weather permits, power wash and then seal the concrete.

7. Remove firewood stored near the home. Firewood should be stored at least 18 inches off the ground at least 2 feet from the structure.

8. Check outside hose faucets for freeze damage. Turn the water on and place your thumb or finger over the opening. If you can stop the flow of water, it is likely the pipe inside your home is damaged and will need to be replaced. While you're at it, check the garden hose for dry rot.

9. Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor clean and service the outside unit of the air conditioning system. Clean coils operate more efficiently, and an annual service call will keep the system working at peak performance levels. Change interior filters.

Target the areas that need maintenance so you can get your chores done quickly, leaving you time to go outside and play in the sunshine. :D

Now that all our spring chores are done and we are ready to enjoy the warmth and brightness, it's time to look at a life altering event that may be affecting many of you this spring / summer season...Weddings. I'll be writing a new series on what's old and what's new with Weddings in 2010. Check in tomorrow where we will be discussing the Top 10 Trends for 2010.

Cheers and Blessings,