Home Maintenance Tasks to Tackle this Spring

As each day passes, your front lawn is becoming greener, the sunlight is lasting a few seconds longer, and your flower garden is blooming, which can only mean one thing — spring has finally returned to New England! As the memory of the harsh winter months and those brutal storms begins to fade, as a homeowner, it is important to remember to assess your home and yard, looking for any signs of damage such as fallen trees, damaged fencing and wear and tear on your home’s exterior.

The harsh cold of winter and the extreme heat of summer can both cause damage to your home, which is why the expert team at Anderson, Bagley & Mayo (ABM) thinks that spring is the perfect time to tackle important home maintenance tasks. Keeping up with proper home maintenance this spring can help you catch problems sooner, and possibly even save you money on lofty repair bills down the road. Below is a list of critical tasks you should absolutely consider accomplishing this season.

Task #1: Inspect Your Roof

Your roof is your first line of defense against the elements and after a season covered in heavy, wet snow, you’ll want to make sure that it held up. Take a look from the ground — do you see any missing or damaged shingles? If so, we recommend hiring a professional, insured roofer to further examine and repair your roof, and the sooner the better. Not only will roofers book up during the busy spring season, you’ll also want to make sure those spring rain showers don’t leak into your home and cause even more damage.

Task #2: Check Your Gutters

The gutters on your home have an important role in leading water away from your property. However, damaged or clogged gutters open your home up to the possibility of water damage. Make sure that gutters are not cracked or leaky and are free of debris. If you find that they are damaged, they should be replaced.

Task #3: Have Your Central Air System Serviced

Consider hiring a qualified heating and cooling contractor to service your central air system. Having clean coils helps your air conditioning unit operate more effectively. Similarly, interior filters should be changed on a regular basis. Dirty filters cause the system to work twice as hard and cost you more money.

Task #4: Inspect Outside Faucets

Examine your outside faucets for damage caused by freezing temperatures – here’s how. Turn the water on and place your thumb over the opening, if you can stop the flow of water, the pipe inside your home may be damaged and need to be replaced. We recommend hiring a professional to confirm this and perform any necessary repairs.

Task #5: Replace the Batteries in Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you have not done so already, it’s imperative to check and see if your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order. We always advise our clients to regularly change the batteries or replace detectors that are no longer working. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, smoke detectors should be tested monthly and batteries should be replaced at least once per year. Smoke detectors also need to be replaced every 10 years from the date of manufacture.

Task #6: Inspect All Window and Door Seals

The harsh, cold winter weather can cause the caulk in windows and doors to crack. Inspect to see if there is any damage. If you can see gaps or feel air coming through, take time to re-apply fresh caulk. This will not only help keep water from entering your home and causing damage during spring showers, but it can also help reduce your energy bills.

ABM Will Protect You and Your Home Season After Season

We know you want to get back to enjoying the scenery of Leominster State Forest, Dunn State Park of Gardner, and Hager Park of Westminster and all of the other beautiful outdoor spots in the surrounding towns of North Central Massachusetts, but checking off the items on this to-do list will help you enjoy spring worry-free. If you are looking for more information or have any questions about a new homeowners, condo, or renters insurance policy, contact us at one of our four convenient Massachusetts locations at (978) 534-2800 (Leominster); (978) 632-1098 (Gardner); (978) 874-2921 (Westminster); (978) 464-5857 (Princeton) — Anderson, Bagley & Mayo is always happy to help!