Get Your Home Spring Ready with these Home Maintenance Tips

With the warm temperatures we’ve had recently, it’s easy to see that Spring is on it’s way! We’ll be “Springing Ahead” this weekend. Warmer days are a great time to think about performing routine home maintenance. Seasonal maintenance can keep your home from needing costly repairs in the future.

Headquartered in Braintree, Massachusetts with offices in the seaside towns of Cohasset and Marshfield, all of us at McSweeney & Ricci know we’ve had a mild winter. However, there were some days of harsh wind and rain. Whether your home is located on the coast or not, wind can cause flying debris, which can damage homes and rip off shingles.  During Spring’s warmer temps and milder weather, clean and perform home maintenance inside and outside to lower your home repair expenses in the long run.

Below is a List of Home Maintenance Tips to Perform Outside Your Home in the Spring:

1. Roof: Visually inspect your roof for signs of damage from ice or snow. If you notice missing, loose or damaged shingles, you’ll want to contact a professional roofing company, to make any needed repairs and reduce the possibility of leaks. If there are areas of your roof too high to see, a licensed roofer can inspect your roof for damage.
2. Gutters: Gutters collect water and direct it away from your home, which prevents water from causing damage to your home. Clean leaves and debris out of your gutters to keep rainwater running freely through them and reduce the possibility of water damage.
3. Trees and Limbs: Dead trees are more likely to blow over or lose limbs during a storm or on a windy day. Visually inspect the trees surrounding your home for damage or rot. Hire a licensed tree professional to safely remove dead trees and trim branches away from any utility wires.
4. Walkways, Steps, Driveways: Inspect your driveway, steps and any walkways for cracks. Cracks and uneven surfaces can prove to be tripping hazards. Repair any cracks to ensure a smooth walking surface.

Performing these routine maintenance tasks can help keep your home’s exterior in good shape and may prevent costly repairs in the future. There are also measures you can take inside your home in the Spring months, to keep your home at it’s best

Home Maintenance Tips to Perform Inside Your Home in the Spring:

1. Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are life-saving devices. Change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Test detectors monthly to be sure they are in good working order and vacuum them regularly to keep them free from dust. At a minimum there should be at least one smoke detector and one carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home.
2. Fire Extinguishers: Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher and most homes should have two or three. Check your fire extinguishers annually and make sure the pressure gauge is in the “green” range. Make sure fire extinguishers are kept in accessible locations.
3. Clothes Dryer: Dryer lint is extremely combustible and can build up inside the vent pipe and around the duct. Clean the dryer’s exhaust duct and vent pipe to reduce the likelihood of fire.
4. Have your Cooling System Inspected: Your cooling system has been sitting idle all winter. Have your home’s cooling system cleaned and serviced by a professional to ensure it’s in good working order for the first hot day.
5. Furnace and Water Heater: Replace or Clean the filter for your furnace and do a visual inspection of your hot water heater to make sure there is no corrosion or leaks.
6. Electrical Outlets, Cords and Light Bulbs: Check electrical outlets, cords, and fuse boxes, ensure they are no frayed wires, loose plugs, and that fuses and extension cords aren’t overloaded. Check light bulbs around your home for the recommended wattage and consider replacing high-intensity bulbs with LED bulbs to reduce your energy usage and the amount of heat the bulbs produce.

Performing seasonal home maintenance tasks, will give you peace of mind that your home is protected.

The Spring is also a Great Time to Review Your Insurance Program

• Are your home and cars bundled together with the same insurance company to maximize your discount?
• Do you have plans for an addition, upgrading your kitchen, adding a garage, or putting in a pool?
• Have you purchased some expensive jewelry items, added to your wine collection or are you going to buy a boat?

All of the above warrant a phone call to your McSweeney & Ricci Account Manager. Your experienced Account Manager can make sure you are fully protected and help you take advantage of any discounts and credits you may be entitled to.

Your home is one of your most important assets, and needs to be protected by the right amount and type of home insurance. When it comes to insurance, it’s hard to know what you need? We at McSweeney & Ricci know that you need not only great rates that fit your budget, but also advice you can trust.  For home, car, and business insurance from the local insurance experts for over fifty-five years, send us an email or contact us at (844) 501-1359.

 

Sources:

Travelers Insurance Spring Home Maintenance Tips by Travelers Risk Control

familyhandyman.com “Your Spring Home Maintenance Checklist”