Spring Forward into Home Maintenance

With Daylight Savings Time comes measurable home maintenance tasks you can do to get steps ahead and ready for Spring.

1. Test smoke and CO alarms. Check to be sure the batteries are still working, or simply change them out now to be sure they are new and working as they should. It’s also a good time to replace any smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old.
2. Change all household filters. While furnace and air conditioning filters are usually replaced monthly, there are plenty of other household filters most of us don’t give a second thought to:
   1. Vacuum cleaners
   2. Refrigerator ice/water filters
   3. Dishwasher filters
   4. Air humidifiers
   5. Grease filter over the stove
3. Schedule a cooling system check. Before it gets turned on for the first time this season is the time to have your cooling system settings and parts checked.
4. Drain your water heater. If you’ve never drained your water heater, now is probably a good time to do that.  Not only will it remove sediment build up but it will run more efficiently.  Here’s how to do it correctly: https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-drain-a-water-heater/.
5. Clean and repair outdoor furniture. Pull outdoor furniture out of storage or out from under the plastic covers and clean and repair them for use as soon as the temperatures warm.
6. Clean windows and window screens. Check screens for needed repairs.
7. Inspect caulking and replace where necessary.
8. Have your roof inspected. Only do this if the snow in your area has melted and/or is over for the season.
9. Add a few drops of oil to all key locks and cylinders.
10. Check the washer and dryer vents and add panty hose to the end to catch any large pieces.

Taking these steps now will save headaches down the road and have you prepared for Spring and Summer.