Believe it or not, we are starting our transition into spring! Now, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, there is still plenty of winters to go. But it is never too early to start getting your home ready for spring as the temperatures rise and the snow melts. Spring preparation for your home will help you avoid problems and will ultimately make the transition into summer much easier. Here are some home maintenance and cleaning tips from ServiceMaster By Rice that you should consider implementing in the next couple of weeks.
Clean The Gutters
Gutters that have leftover leaves or debris in them can create lots of damage to your home if left to accumulate for several seasons. The leaves and organic material build up over time and block any water from freely flowing down your roof and into your drainage system. If your gutters are not clear, backups can lead to an excess of water on your roof, especially with some of the heavy rains that we experience here in Iowa.
Even if you have gutter guards installed at your home, it is always a good idea to clean them when it starts getting warm out. Any leftover leaves from the fall, sticks from broken branches or other debris that has accumulated during the winter can serve as problematic when the heavy spring rains start coming down.
Replace Filters
Filters for your water systems, air vents, or range hood should be swapped out every 3-6 months. These filters can be compared to the gutter system since they move hot & cold air from your furnace to every room in the house. If you do not have clean and fresh filters, the buildup can cause your furnace to work harder, not only increasing your heating and cooling costs but also creating a fire hazard. Avoiding a filter swap, especially for your HVAC unit, is dangerous and can lead to fire damage in your home.
Check Vents
Many people don’t realize that homes can have external vents that help with air circulation through the house. These vents, generally found throughout the foundation, soffit, or roofing, can accumulate moisture and become hosts for mold. To avoid needing mold removal when it becomes humid outside, give those vents a good cleaning.
Test Smoke Alarms & Safety Devices
As you should already do once every month, test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working. As the U.S. Fire Administration data shows spring being a wet season doesn’t mean that a risk of fire isn’t still high.
ServiceMaster By Rice Services
Apart from safety preparations for your home, a deep spring cleaning is always a great idea to help prepare for spring! We offer carpet cleaning services for both residential and commercial properties. As always, if you have any questions or need our service in any of our service areas across the state of Iowa and southern Minnesota, contact us and we will provide assistance in any way that we can.
