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It’s that time of the year that people all over the country look forward to: spring! After enduring the frigid months of the winter season, people welcome warmer temperatures and longer days. But in addition to that, homeowners may want to take advantage of this time of year to prep their home for the coming months. There are plenty of maintenance items you may want to add to your homeowner to-do list.
Practicing preventive care — both inside and outside your home — can save thousands of dollars in repairs come later this winter. Your home is a major investment, so you want to be sure to keep up with its maintenance in order to also uphold its overall value. What follows is a brief checklist to get you started.
Be sure that none of the outlets are cracked or broken, or have exposed wires. If so, be sure to change any bulbs that aren’t working and deal with any exposed wires that could be a hazard to you, your family, and visitors.
Leaves always seem to make their way into the gutters, even throughout the winter. Your gutters play an important role in keeping your roof and foundation safe from water damage. It’s important to make sure they are free and clear of any leaves and other debris so that there is no clogging and rainwater is able to be directed away from your home.
Improving curb appeal can help your home look its best and even increase its perceived value. There are many components to curb appeal, including the condition of your mailbox and house numbers. If the winter has wreaked havoc on these components, consider repainting them or replacing them altogether.
Again, curb appeal speaks, volumes, and the condition of your front door – as well as your garage door – makes a huge difference. Give your front door a new coat of paint to enhance its look.
Not only can this help improve the look of your home’s exterior, but it can also ensure the safety of everyone who walks on your driveway and walkways.
Filling potholes can make a massive difference in the appearance of your driveway, and can also help avoid any damage to your vehicle.
Safety should always come first, and ensuring that your railings and stairs are sturdy is a crucial component to keeping everyone safe and secure.
Any large trees that abut your home and have branches pointing directly to windows may need to be trimmed, as these can be a hazard during violent storms.
Whether they’re “dead” or not, these detectors save lives and should always be in working condition.
Clean refrigerator condenser coils.
To keep your fridge working optimally, vacuum the condenser coils. While you’re at it, clean out the front bottom grill and empty and clean the drip pan.
If necessary, hire a certified chimney sweeper to clean the chimney.
Clogged filters can make your A/C unit work harder than it has to, which can not only cost you more in utility bills, but can also reduce the lifespan on the unit. Cleaning the filters every few months can help ensure that the unit and system are running smoothly, especially as the temperatures heat up.
Get rid of any food that is expired or has been in your cabinets for months, then give the cabinets a good scrubbing.
You’d be amazed at how much dust and debris accumulates under these appliances.
Like the outdoors, any indoor lightbulbs that are burned out should be changed.
If your garage door has an automatic opener, lubricate the chains according to manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure bolts and screws are properly tightened and secured.
As a constant series of chores, home maintenance is a four-season job and one which should not be taken lightly. The tasks of each season are unique and November’s jobs are mostly preparatory in advance of colder weather.
If your routine maintenance uncovers larger issues including a faulty HVAC unit, or a leaking faucet, for example, seek professional help to make the repair.
If you’re in the market to buy a home, Sammamish Mortgage is available to help. We offer a wide variety of mortgage programs and tools with flexible qualification criteria. We’ve been helping buyers obtain the mortgages they need in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and Idaho since 1992, and we’d love to help you too. Please contact us today to get started.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.