Spring is in the air. And, like it or not, spring cleaning should be on your “to do” list.
But, not just the kind of spring cleaning that your grandmother did. Of course, changing the drapes and flipping the mattress is important, but there is more you can do around your home or business to make sure that things are in tip-top shape.
And, this is definitely a situation where an ounce of prevention could be worth a pound of cure. A bit of spring-time property maintenance could help avoid expensive repairs down the road and increase your building’s energy efficiency. Plus, some of these tasks could help avert health and safety issues associated with mold and moisture and lessen indoor allergens.
To help you keep your building in good shape, the Burkholder’s team has put together the following spring-time “to do” list:
- Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide sensors and change the batteries.
- Change filters for the air conditioning system and consider having it checked by a qualified professional before the dog days of summer set in.
- Clean outdoor air conditioning unit and cut back surrounding vegetation.
- You knew this one was coming: Clean gutters and downspouts. Make sure water is draining away from the building.
- Check the siding for any damage or areas that moisture could enter.
- Look for any roof damage that might have happened during the winter. Examine the vents too. And, be sure skylights are properly sealed.
- Check windows and doors for drafts. Inspect and replace any worn weather stripping.
- Examine washing machine water supply hoses. Think about having the clothes dryer vent professionally cleaned.
- Keep in mind that draining some types of water heaters can help remove sediment that may have built up.
- Make sure you don’t have any leaks in indoor and outdoor faucets.
- Walk around your building, inspecting nearby trees. Look for broken limbs that could cause damage.
- Repair cracks in concrete, stucco or asphalt.
