Skip to main content

Make spring cleanup easy: The only home maintenance checklist you’ll ever need

The weather will soon be warmer and the days longer, but the effects of winter are still all around your home. That’s why a spring home maintenance checklist is so useful. It can help keep you organized as you prepare your home for summer, and it can save you time and money on unnecessary repairs. Here are some commonly neglected items, both indoors and outdoors, that should be on every homeowner’s spring checklist.

spring tulips in front of a white house
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Outdoor spring home maintenance checklist

If you live in a region with cold weather, the exterior of your home takes quite a beating in the winter. The impact that snow, ice, and freezing temperatures have on the home’s structure can make any homeowner nervous. The good news is, you can save yourself some big headaches if you’re diligent about inspecting your home in the spring and fixing minor repairs before they become major problems.

Check for and repair damage to roofing

The weight of just a few inches of snow can do damage to your home’s roof. Particularly when it comes to older roofs, one big snowfall in the beginning of winter can let in moisture or even cause a leak. Grab your ladder, safety equipment, and a buddy, and climb up to your roof to take a peek. Loose shingles, broken shingles, and popped nails will need to be replaced.

Check for and repair concrete and asphalt damages

Another woe of freezing weather is that it can damage concrete and asphalt. Examine your driveway, concrete stairs, walkways, and patios for any visible cracks. Even if the crack is minor, if water gets inside of it and freezes, it will expand the crack and require an even more expensive repair. It’s a good idea to repair the crack while it’s small.

Consider an exterior paint job

Spring is the perfect time to paint the exterior of your home since the temperature and humidity won’t negatively impact your paint job. If the outside of your home could use a little TLC, put this project on the list for spring home maintenance.

Consider staining exterior wood surfaces

Cold weather and moisture make wood stain fade quickly. Check your decks, fences, and any other wooden outdoor surfaces to see if they are in need of a good staining.

Check window screens and caulking for damage

Just as your windows should be sealed well in the winter to keep the warm air in, they should also be tightly sealed in the summer to keep the cool air in. Examine the caulking around your window panes to be sure no cracks or gaps exist, and re-caulk if needed. Also, check window screens for tears and holes that might let in bugs when the windows are open.

Clean window exteriors and screens

Get all that grime off of your windows’ exteriors after the long winter. It’s not advised that you use a pressure washer for windows on upper levels since the force could easily break the glass. Instead, climb up on your ladder and clean those windows by hand. Use window cleaner and a squeegee to make them sparkle.

Spring is also a good time to clean your window screens. These you can remove from the window and wipe down with a mild soap and washcloth.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Indoor maintenance and spring cleanup

Winter weather did a number on your home’s exterior, but constant indoor living, dust, and forced heat also have done a number on your interior. Spring is the perfect time to deep clean and make sure your home is in good condition before the warm weather hits.

Get your air conditioner serviced

The time to get your air conditioner checked and repaired is before you need to use it. Make sure to either check and service your outdoor compressor unit yourself or call an HVAC specialist to schedule services.

Clean window interiors and window treatments

Windows get dirty on the inside, too, especially when dust has been prevalent all winter long. Give your window interiors a good cleaning, including the window panes. You should also pull down and wash curtains and dust off blinds while you’re at it.

Clean fabric surfaces like furniture and carpets

Speaking of dust, it loves to settle deep into the fabrics of couches, chairs, and carpets. Get out the carpet cleaner and deep clean carpets, and consider getting your furniture deep cleaned before summer. It will be free of allergens and dust before you host your first summer party.

Deep clean bathrooms and check for grout issues

Hopefully, you didn’t neglect your bathroom too much over the winter, but spring cleaning includes deep cleaning every corner of this essential room. Make sure to scrub your shower tiles and check that there aren’t any cracks or gaps in them. Water getting behind those tiles will cause mold and even wood rot.

Check the attic and basement for pests

If you live in a cooler climate, you probably haven’t seen a bug in months. That doesn’t mean they’re not sneaking around, though. In fact, springtime is when queens of infesting bugs start coming out of hibernation to look for food and good nesting spots. Prime locations are dark, damp areas, so examine your attic and basement for evidence of an impending infestation.

Spring is in the air, or at least it will be soon. That means sunshine, afternoon swim sessions, and outdoor fun is right around the corner. Make sure your home is ready for all that summer action by following this spring home maintenance checklist that covers all your bases.

Editors' Recommendations

Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
The best wallpaper paste for your home and room makeovers
A guide to the best wallpaper pastes on the market
Wallpaper paste

Wallpaper paste is absolutely key when adhering wall covers to surfaces in home decorating projects. With wallpaper paste, you can also stick wall murals and decals onto your accent wall more easily than with standard office glue. To save you time on researching the right wallpaper paste, we’ve reviewed the best options here so you can decide quickly.

Standard wall pastes can be applied onto the back of any light to heavy wall coverings. Stronger alternatives include commercial-grade pastes designed to be used with pasting machines. Other options include tubed pastes for repairing small spots and pastes for mounting other types of wallpaper. Take a look at our favorite wallpaper paste picks to help you find the best product for your next wall redesign.

Read more
Moving out? Get your security deposit back quickly with these simple tips
These tips for renters will help you save money
Couple packing moving boxes together

Moving out of an apartment is already a hectic event. But when you’re trying to get your security deposit back from your landlord, that stress only grows. After all, that’s a large chunk of change you’re owed—and one that would be much better off in your savings account or going toward decking out your new place. Whether your landlord has been slow to return your deposit or you’re just anxious to get your money back, here are a few tips for renters to get your security deposit back in full without a fuss.

Review your lease
When you decide to move out, one of the first things you should do is re-read your lease. This document lays out all the terms and conditions for ending your lease, giving your landlord notice about your move, and getting your deposit back. Oftentimes, your lease will also let you know how many days your landlord has to return the security deposit (usually 30-60 days after move-out) and any other move-out requirements. You may be required to return your keys, clean the property, and revert any alterations you made to their original condition before your deposit is returned.
Give your landlord proper notice
Giving proper notice before moving out is crucial to getting your full security deposit back. If you don’t give enough notice, you may be required to pay an extra month’s rent—even if you’re not living there. Not only will you have to give your landlord more money, but you may also have to wait longer to get your deposit back.

Read more
DIY 101: Repair concrete gaps and instantly enhance your home’s curb appeal
How to fill large gaps in concrete so your home's exterior isn't an eyesore
how to repair wide cracks in concrete shutterstock 505982602

Cold weather and ice aren't just uncomfortable for us physically. They can also cause a lot of damage around your property. While you can winterize your flower beds, your lawn, and even your house in order to prevent winter damage, there's a lot less you can do about cold weather damaging your concrete. While concrete is tough, cracks inevitably happen, and they make for unsightly and unsafe gaps in driveways, stairs, and walkways. Read on to learn about why you should repair cracks quickly and how to fill large gaps in concrete.

Why you should repair cracks in concrete
Sure, a crack in your concrete patio or walkway is ugly, but is it really necessary to fix them? There are actually some important reasons you should repair cracks sooner rather than later. Here are the benefits of fixing those gaps.
Enhances curb appeal
If you're trying to sell your home, curb appeal is crucial. Cracks and gaps in your concrete give your home an unkempt appearance and may make prospective buyers wonder what else has been neglected. Fixing those gaps enhances your curb appeal and could lead to higher property value since buyers will be willing to pay more for a home with pristine concrete.
Eliminates safety hazards
Small cracks in concrete grow and turn into large gaps, which pose safety risks such as trips and falls. Keep your family and guests safe by filling in the gaps and making the hazardous spot safer.
Prevents further damage
Small cracks are easier to repair than the large gaps they grow into, so it's best to fix the problem while it's small. Also, cracks in your concrete take in water, which washes away the soil underneath the concrete and makes the gap grow even more. Water in the cracks poses an even bigger risk — flooding your basement — if the crack is close to the foundation of your house.

Read more