Spring Maintenance Checklist
Foundation, Basements & Exterior Walls
- Check the condition of the exterior surfaces & touch up any areas that need paint before they deteriorate further
- Check your inside and outside foundation walls and piers for termite tubes and damaged wood
- Clean gaps between deck boards above joists, replace/repair and paint/seal as needed.
- Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks, pest damage or signs of moisture, and repair as required
- Hose off house exterior
- Make sure the downspouts direct water at least 5 feet away from your foundation walls
- Renail any loose siding or trim boards
- Scrub mildewed areas of house exterior and treat for mildew and fungus on decks
- Check electric, antenna guy wires and support straps, repair or replace as needed
- Check gutters, downspouts, and roof penetrations for leaks
- Clean out gutters and downspout elbows
- Examine fascia or soffit boards & replace if they are soft or rotting, and, examine flashing trim and repalir/replace as needed
- Inspect the roof for damaged, loose or blistered shingles & replace damaged shingles
- Remove leaves and clean debris from attic louvers and soffits
- Clean around air conditioner compressor & uncover
- Clean up fallen branches and other debris around the home
- Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris
- Inspect grading around the house to be sure water drains away from the foundation on all sides
- Inspect decks, patios, porches, exterior stairs and railings for deterioration
- Make sure that your lawn sprinkler heads do not spray the walls of the house
- Re-level any exterior steps or decks which moved due to frost or settling
- Repair and paint fences as necessary
- Trim branches and shrubs that are touching your home
- Undertake spring landscape maintenance and, if necessary, fertilize young trees
- Check and replace damaged caulking, weather stripping and broken/cracked glass panes around windows and doorways
- Clean out basement window wells, doorways & storm drains
- Clean windows, screens and hardware, and replace storm windows with screens (check first and repair or replace if needed), then lubricate moving parts, and ensure weep holes are clear
- Inspect and repair (if needed) screens
- Oil moving parts of garage door
- On storm windows and doors, check latches, pivots and hinges for loose connections or signs of wear, and replace loose or worn parts
- Inspect sprinkler heads for leaks and adjust for proper coverage.
- Inspect all hose bibs, faucets, shut-off valves and supply valves for leaking
- After consulting your hot water tank owner's manual, carefully test the temperature and pressure relief valve to ensure it is not stuck. (Caution: this test may release hot water that can cause burns) And then drin off sediment from the HWH tank
- Ensure sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in. Ensure discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain away from the foundation
- Examine septic system drain field for flooding, odor; have tank pumped yearly
- Have well water tested every 6 months for quality & bacteria
- Open valve to outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed, and check all bibs and shutoff valves
- Inspect the HVAC fan belt for frayed or worn spots, and check tension (keep spare belt on hand), and also check the whole house attic fan
- Shut down and clean furnace humidifier, and close the furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning
- Shut off gas heater valve, then check exhaust and air shutter openings for dirt and dust. Clean the burner of lint and dirt by vacuuming air passages to burner
- Turn OFF gas furnace and fireplace pilot lights where possible
- Check attic fans & thermostat, clean blades, lubricate motor and pulley bearings, check and repair drive belt
- Check dehumidifier and clean if necessary
- Check vents and louvers for free air movement
- Inspect your attic to make sure it is getting cool, fresh air and that there is no evidence of condensation