By Matt DiBara — Founder of The Contractor Consultants & CEO of DiBara Masonry
As the winter cold melts away to give room for Spring, those in the northern half of the US are probably starting to feel a bit of cabin fever. Perhaps they are beginning to look forward to warmer weather, and the “to-do” list that has been sitting unfinished since fall transitioned into winter.
Taking your home from winter to spring can involve several different approaches, depending on where you live, the weather, and your type of home. Here, dive into how you can break out of the winter doldrums and get your house looking great and feeling solid and secure for the spring.
Exterior focus
After the harsh winter, it can be important to look at not only the curb appeal of your home but also the structural integrity. Start your exterior focus by looking for any damage that could have been caused by snow, ice, or freezing temperatures. This can include water damage, roof leaks caused by snow accumulation, frozen pipes, foundation cracks, or siding damage.
Give everything on the outside of your home a good review, including the roof, gutters, and foundation. Look for cracks, missing pieces, holes, or other disrepair. Once you have inspected your home for damage and corrected the problems that could become more significant issues if left unaddressed, turn your focus to aesthetics.
Harsh winter weather conditions can make a home’s curb appeal look less than ideal due to dead grass, lingering dirt from melting snow and ice, and salt residue buildup. Consider giving your home a thorough cleaning, including pressure washing the exterior walls, walkways, and windows. If you have decks or trim looking a little worse for wear, invest in some new stain or a good deck soap scrub to make it look brand new again.
Adding fixtures or decor to the exterior can also freshen up the look when going from winter to spring. Consider new plants, new light fixtures, or even just a new welcome mat to bring the look into the new season.
Interior focus
When people in colder climates are stuck inside for most of the winter, it can wreak havoc on the interior of a home. Take time to inspect the inside of your home just as much as you have examined the outside.
When transitioning from winter to spring, perhaps your floors could use a deep cleaning. Maybe the interior windows could use a wash or the lightbulbs could be changed out. Institute a “spring cleaning” day where you not only wash and scrub the “winter funk” from surfaces and fabrics but also declutter and reorganize.
Systems check
The systems that keep your home running comfortably — particularly HVAC and plumbing — should be given a once-over as you transition into warmer weather and switch from heating to cooling systems. Change your HVAC filters and have a maintenance inspection on your HVAC system if anything looks, sounds, or feels abnormal to ensure it is ready to go for hotter weather.
Spring can also bring allergies, so it’s a great time to check that air ducts and vents are clean and in working order. Now may also be a good time to consider integrating smart technology into your home’s systems to better control its interior heating and cooling.
Cold winter weather can also cause pipes to freeze, so it can help to give your plumbing a full inspection to make sure there are no cracks or leaks. Electrical systems and appliances should also be checked to make sure the wiring has survived the winter and all connections are in good condition and running properly as Spring approaches.
Seasonal maintenance
All homeowners should perform certain maintenance checks regardless of where they live or what kind of home they may have. Test the smoke alarms and other alarm systems to ensure full operability and battery life and check for interior cracks, leaks, or insulation issues that could lead to bigger problems down the road. Homeowners should also prepare various tools and equipment, such as lawnmowers, for warmer weather with oil changes and a new tank of gas.
If you live in an older home, it may require more regular maintenance than newer homes, so consider the age and style of your home when planning what routine maintenance you may need to do. If you make a habit of performing necessary seasonal maintenance, you are less likely to run across major, pricey issues in the future.
As the seasons shift from winter to spring, homeowners can meet the warmer weather head-on with a home that is spruced up and well-maintained. Spring is an excellent time to breathe new life into your home, take on projects that you may have been putting off, or repair an issue that has been affecting the comfort or dependability of the construction of your home.
Our homes should be havens that make us feel relaxed and safe. With thorough inspections and necessary maintenance, not to mention a little creativity, you can spruce up your home just in time for the “darling buds of May” to start poking up through the thawed ground.
