The Essential DIY Spring Checklist
Yeah, Spring has sprung! Time for daffodils, morning dew and budding trees. It also means time for spring cleaning and DIY repair. I don’t have to tell you that it was a really harsh winter, especially on the east coast, so as a result your home may need some TLC. Let’s tackle easy, quick and cost effective maintenance tasks first. We’ll start inside with some fuzzy bunnies that you’ll be happy to sweep away.
- Clean the fridge. I don’t mean on the inside; let’s assume you are on top of that. Let’s not neglect the outside of the refrigerator. Dust bunnies and debris can block the ventilation/coil system and cause the unit to overheat and wear out sooner. For more efficient performance and longevity, vacuum dust out of the grill and coils at the front and back of the fridge. Do this twice a year. Bonus tip: Stock piling stuff on top of your fridge also slows performance. Give it room to breathe and air itself out.
- Clean the lint trap of your dryer, every load! Every year thousands of house fires begin in household dryers. Hit the home center for a dryer duct cleaning kit. For about $20, you get a long flexible tool with a bristle brush on the end that goes deep into the duct to clean out dust, lint and debris. It will not only reduce risk of heat driven fires, but improve your dryers efficiency. Do this once or twice a year. Remember, faster drying equals less chore time. Try this product with 3 cleaning tools designed to clean inside and the under the dryer, too.
- Spring a Leak? Spring is a good time to check those washing machine hoses. You don’t want to risk a Noah like flood in your home. Inspect the hoses that supply and drain the water for evidence of minor leaks. Wiggle the unit away from the wall and see if you find any traces of water on the floor. Replace or repair hoses right away. Many of these hoses are easy to replace and are secured with clamps. Check online for your replacement parts. Best tip for leak prevention – only run the washer when someone is home in case of flood and any time you go away from home overnight, even for just one night, turn off the water main. Preventing major floods while your away is worth the 2 minutes it takes to shut off a valve. Find water main shut off valves in the basement, utility closet or garage.
- Clear the air. No relationship advice here but it may be time to change the filter in your heating/ventilation system. Be sure to so this 3-4 times a year plus after the pollen counts have fallen and/or after any significant renovations. A clean filter improves the air you breathe, reduces allergens and improves the performance of your system to save you money. It also reduces the amount of dust in the house. Text yourself the dimensions of the old filter so you buy the right one when you get to the store.[fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]
- Caulk It! Insulating windows and doors is not a job just for the winter. You really want to do it all year long for money savings on cooling your home, too. Use clear or color coordinated exterior grade caulk around windows and doors to seal up air leaks. Be sure to read all label instructions for optimal results.
- Check Window Screens – Inspect your screens for holes. Some mom and pop shops will still repair them for a nominal fee. You can DIY with a roll of screen, new gasket cord, and a spline tool. It’s an easy beginner DIY job. Let’s keep those stink bugs out!
For all your spring home projects – Make a solid plan. Assess the projects you need to do versus want to do. Create a budget for the season, consider your time, not just your money. Some things are must-dos, like pool openings. Some are optional like new landscape lighting. Shop around for several estimates on all contract work. Get prices in writing. Check references, licenses and credentials. Price shop for materials online to save time running around town. Don’t forget about Craigslist and thrift stores for materials. You can find some sweet deals there.
Don’t be overwhelmed by too many spring tasks on your to-do list. Organize it by weekly tasks. Make a list of tools/supplies and make one trip per month to the home center instead of 3 or 4 times every weekend. Have fun and be proud to be a Smart, Capable, Confident Homeowner!
