Prepare Your Home for Spring with Our April Home Maintenance Checklist

Spring represents the season of renewal and refresh—and the most popular time for people to buy and sell their homes! This makes spring the ideal time for some home maintenance to either prepare for potential buyers or invest some care into your beloved home. To help you get started, we’ve created a list of indoor and outdoor maintenance tasks to help you transition your home from winter hibernation to a summer glow-up! (Download a printable checklist at the end!) 

Inspect the roof, gutters, downspouts, and chimney

It’s not uncommon in the Pacific Northwest for roofs to take damage over time from fallen tree branches, water damage from excessive rainfall, or have shingles missing from heavy winds. It’s important to check for damage or leaks and clear any debris buildup from gutters and downspouts. Chimneys can also incur damage during colder months with storms and increased use. Hire a professional to check for cracks, obstructions, and ensure there aren’t any harmful vapors entering your home. 

Assess and maintain landscaping

Spring is a great time to survey your landscaping and before things start growing out of control during the warmer months. Trim any overgrown trees or shrubs, remove any dead plants, fertilize your lawn, and add flowers and trees to help boost curb appeal. Remember, potted plants and hanging baskets are a quick and easy way to boost curb appeal without a ton of gardening know-how! 

Service outdoor equipment

In preparation for outdoor maintenance and chores, service and clean your lawn mower, clean and sharpen your gardening shears, and check on maintenance for other outdoor equipment to ensure they are ready to be used during the warmer seasons (such as your bbq!) This is also the time to remove any winter insulation from the outdoor faucets and ensure sprinkler heads are functioning properly. 

Inspect the plumbing and septic systems

Plumbing is something most homeowners don’t think about until there’s a problem. Hiring a professional can help prevent potential issues down the road and save you money! If you have a lot of trees near your house, it’s particularly helpful to know whether their roots will cause problems. Have a professional inspect your plumbing and, if applicable, your septic for any leaks or potential damage.

Clean windows and entryways

Dirt, grime, and dust tend to build up over time on your windows, doors, and screens. Be sure to clean both the interior and exterior of your windows and entry points to your home. Wipe down the windowsills and blinds, clean off the glass, and take extra care with the exterior windows, as they’ll likely have grime that’s tougher to remove.

Inspect the HVAC system 

Dust, lint, and other debris can collect inside your HVAC system. Check and change the air filters and consider hiring a professional to ensure the system is functioning properly. Take extra care to clean out your dryer vent, too! 

Inspect the water heater 

Sediment from debris and minerals can build up in the water heater which can lead to future clogs. Draining the water can help flush out the sediment to clear existing buildup. 

Inspect and maintain your deck and patios

The rainfall and increased moisture in the Pacific Northwest can warp and crack wood decks and patios. Check for any damage and make necessary repairs. Perhaps it’s time to refinish and stain the deck or regrout your patio!

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are often forgotten about but serve an important job. Be sure to test and change the batteries of all of your detectors to make sure they are functioning as intended! It’s a small task that could save your life.

Declutter and organize indoor and outdoor spaces

Focus on one space at a time. Perhaps your garage or outdoor shed needs some organizing. Or, maybe you need to give your closet a good decluttering. Start with donating items you no longer need and discarding trash or damaged items. Afterwards, it’ll be a lot easier to organize the remaining items! 

Deep clean indoors (appliances, floors, furniture, etc.) 

Dust off furniture, light fixtures, baseboards and other spaces in your home that don’t get a lot of attention through the winter. Air out and clean your rugs, curtains, and mats to remove buildup from dirt and dust. Survey your kitchen and scrub any appliances that have been neglected—like the refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher. 

Power wash siding, concrete driveways, and walkways, etc. 

Dirt, debris, moss, and tiny weeds can spring up in the most inconvenient places. If you’ve ever wondered how some houses look extra put together, it may be because the siding and walkways have had a fresh power wash! 

Replace indoor and outdoor light bulbs as needed

Curb appeal doesn’t have a curfew! Make sure your bulbs all work and if you want to go the extra mile, make sure they’re the same color! This is also a good time to bring out any solar or vanity lights to make sure your deck or walkways are brightly lit. We don’t need anyone tripping or taking a fall during a summer barbeque!

Our April home maintenance checklist will help you transition your home for the new season, avoid potential repairs in the future, and prepare your home for potential buyers! It may be unrealistic to get all of these done in one month, but at least get started and let the momentum take you from there!

Ready to get to work? Download our Spring Home Maintenance Checklist here!

If you’re looking to buy or sell this spring or summer, give us a call and see how one of our agents can help you make sure your home is ready.