Spring is just around the corner! It seems as though we hibernate all winter and then when we get the smallest sign of warm weather, we get into “go mode.” We tend to deep clean our homes till there isn’t one spec of dust existent in our living space and prepare our yards like we’re going to have Gatsby parties all summer long. If you plan a few tasks every weekend before spring, you’ll have your to-do list knocked out before you know it!
Interior: Deep clean your windows and doors including the frames. Clean out your fireplace(s) and dust off fan blades, they are sure to have built up a lot of gunk this past winter! Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. If not, change out the batteries.
Exterior: Spring is a very important time to have your air conditioner checked for functionality and safety. A certified HVAC technician should be checking things such as your condenser coil and cleaning it if necessary, your blower and making necessary adjustments and making sure your safety controls are in proper operation. Below is an example maintenance agreement and you can see in the “Cooling Service Check” section what should be done during a spring maintenance check.
Walk around the perimeter of your home. Inspect windows and doors, make sure weather stripping is still in good working order, replace if necessary, re-caulk anywhere you see that caulking has worn down, become chipped off etc. Does your roof have any obvious issues such as missing shingles or tiles? Are there any obvious problems with your gutters? Make sure to make these repairs before “April Showers” become prevalent.
Landscaping: Make sure your garden hoses don’t have any cracks. If they are cracked, go ahead and replace them. Remove dead leaves from your yard, walkways and garden beds. Start planning out where you will plant your spring flowers, fruit or vegetables.
Image Above: “Bleeding” is a macro shot of bleeding heart blossoms in full bloom. One blossom is the main focal point in the picture, the thick stem protruding from somewhere above. At prominent points along the stem, buds have burst forth into hearts of varying shades of pink from an almost red to the palest shell pink, which fade into the background of green. The veins in the flower are visible, as well as the indentation that defines the petals in its perfect form. Sunlight dapples on them playfully as a single drop of blood seems to roll off the bottom of the blossom, which gives the bleeding heart is appropriate name.
Click image to purchase "Bleeding" by local artist, Jeremy Byers.
