4 Tips to Prep Your Home for Spring
Spring has sprung. It’s time to get outside, ditch the heavy jackets and get your home ready for the new season. Here are our top spring maintenance tips to ensure that your home is in pristine condition for the warmer temps and anticipated spring showers.
Take it From the Top
April typically has the most rainfall for us New Yorkers. We recommend you start your spring maintenance from the top of your home, checking for any roof damage that might have been caused by heavy snow, ice, or winds. While you have someone up there, have them clear the roof of debris.
Clear the gutters and downspouts, so that when those April showers come, water can flow freely away from your home. If you don’t control the direction of the water and remove any obstacles, water can damage the roof, exterior walls, and foundation. Gutters filled with twigs and leaves also provide a cozy home for mold, bees, and rodents.
The Great Indoors
Outdoor spaces take a lot of abuse over the winter. Use one of those warm weekend days to power wash the deck. Check for loose boards or other minor structural issues. You can use your garden hose to clean the outside of the house—washing away the winter grime.
Filters and Screens (oh my!)
If screens are damaged, repair or replace them to avoid unwanted insects or other animals making their way inside.
We also recommend cleaning out your faucet aerators (those tiny filters at the end of the faucet) and cleaning the dishwasher drain. Soak your aerators in a glass of vinegar for 5 minutes or so. Then scrub with an old toothbrush to remove lime scale and calcium buildup. To clean the dishwasher, place a bowl with white vinegar on the bottom rack. Run the dishwasher on a hot water cycle.
If you notice that your monthly energy bill is higher, it might be because the HVAC air filters need to be cleaned or changed. It’s best to replace these filters every season to improve indoor air quality.
Make sure that outdoor furniture, plants, or other objects aren’t blocking the external AC unit, since that will decrease the airflow.
You’ll also want to check your dryer vent. A clogged vent can be a fire hazard. Plus, excess lint reduces the dryer’s efficiency and lifespan.
Spring Clean
Remove clutter from outside and inside the house. Clean the windows inside and out. Sunlight has been proven to boost serotonin, which lifts your mood. It also enhances the curb appeal of the home if you’re thinking of selling.
For many of these spring homecare tasks, it’s best to have a professional do the job. Top Hat’s Annual Advantage Program acts as your property watchdog, stopping major problems from arising and future damage from occurring. Services are uniquely tailored for your Manhattan brownstone, townhouse, co-op, or loft.
Happy Spring!
Gary Mindlin is co-founder and owner of Top Hat Home Services, a full-service property care and management company. Top Hat services homes in Manhattan and are known as experts in every aspect of building management, maintenance and repair, as well as renovation and construction supervision.