Spring home maintenance checklist

10 tasks to protect your home before summer arrives. Work through these in April or May before heat and humidity set in.

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1. Clean gutters after winter debris

Winter leaves and debris clog gutters before spring rains arrive — overflows damage your foundation and fascia.

Gutters

2. Inspect roof from the ground for winter damage

Look for lifted shingles, damaged pipe boots, and flashing issues. Winter ice and freeze/thaw cycles cause most roof damage.

Roof

3. Test all smoke and CO detectors

Replace batteries if needed. NFPA recommends testing every 6 months — spring is one of the two annual checkpoints.

Safety

4. Schedule HVAC tune-up before cooling season

A spring tune-up catches refrigerant issues and dirty coils before they cause a failure on the hottest day of summer.

HVAC

5. Check exterior caulking around windows and doors

Winter temperature swings crack caulk seals. Failed caulking lets water infiltrate behind siding and around window frames.

Windows / Siding

6. Inspect deck for winter damage

Check for rot, loose boards, popped fasteners, and cracked ledger boards. Freeze/thaw cycles accelerate wood damage.

Deck

7. Test sump pump before spring rains

Pour a bucket of water into the pit to confirm it activates. Spring is peak sump pump failure season.

Sump Pump

8. Turn on irrigation and check for broken heads

Winter freezes crack heads and fittings. Run each zone and walk the line before you need the system running daily.

Irrigation

9. Flush outdoor spigots and reconnect hoses

Confirm no frost damage occurred over winter before full outdoor water use resumes.

Plumbing

10. Walk your foundation perimeter

Look for new cracks, settled areas, or water pooling near the foundation — freeze/thaw cycles reveal movement.

Foundation

Guides for these tasks

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