Keeping your home well-maintained and in good repair will help protect your investment. It will also make your home safer and more comfortable to spend time in. Here are some of the top maintenance tasks you’ll want to tackle in the springtime.

Inspect Roofing and Siding

Heavy snow, strong winds, and ice dams can cause a lot of damage to a roof and siding over the winter. You can inspect your roof and siding from the ground using a pair of binoculars. Some signs that your roof is in need of professional repair include curling, buckling, and missing shingles, pools of standing water, damaged flashing, and a sagging roof deck. Check your siding for any holes, cracks, or signs of moisture damage as well.

Clean Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year: once in the fall to ensure proper drainage of melting snow in the winter, and once in the spring to ensure proper drainage during spring showers and summer thunderstorms. Clogged gutters can lead to roof leaks, siding damage, and water pooling around your foundation. Make sure you also check your gutters and downspouts for signs of damage and position your downspouts so that water drains away from your home.

Clean and Inspect AC Unit

Your AC unit needs to be ready and functional before the first heat wave hits. A unit that has been cleaned will operate more efficiently and will be less likely to fail when you need it the most. Tidy up around the outside of your AC unit, trimming back any overgrown shrubs or tree branches, and clean or change the filter. You can brush away most dirt and debris from the condenser coils and use a mild soap and water mixture for a deeper clean.

Inspect Caulking Around Windows and Doors

Winter weather can cause cracks to form in the caulk around your windows and doors. Your AC unit will have to work harder and use more energy if the cold air in your home escapes through these cracks. Before you turn your AC on for the first time, inspect the caulking for signs of damage and re-apply new caulking if necessary. Good seals around windows and doors will also prevent water intrusion during spring showers.

Prep Lawn Equipment

Springtime brings its fair share of yard work, and you don’t want to be caught off-guard by an overgrown lawn and a lawnmower that won’t start. Take all of your lawn equipment out of hibernation and give everything a quick cleaning and tune-up to make sure that it’s good to go. Your lawn mower, in particular, will need new spark plugs, a new air filter, an oil change, and fresh fuel. Consider getting the blades sharpened as well.

There’s a lot of work involved in maintaining a home, but the payoff is worth the effort. Finish up these tasks in the spring, and you’ll have a lot less to worry about in the coming months.