SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPRING CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

It's finally the season when everything springs into action again! Now’s the time to roll up your sleeves and take care of the things you’ve neglected during the winter months. You’ll want to make sure your home is ready for April showers and the impending summer weather. Spring cleaning is a good place to start, but the turn of the season also presents an opportunity to be more thorough with your home maintenance. Here are things you need to know, inside and out, to prep your home for spring.

Having a fresh home by decluttering interior and exterior spaces will not only revitalize your environment, but it will also allow for better air circulation. Move furniture, rugs, or appliances that are blocking air vents. Take a couple of hours and assess everything being stored in closets or your garage. If there are any appliances, furniture, clothes or old home décor items you don’t need or have room for, now is the perfect time to let them go. It can be helpful to set up two bags: one for donations and one for trash/recycling.

According to Feng Shui, the windows are the eyes of those living in the home. Clean windows represent seeing the world clearly, not to mention they allow the maximum amount of natural light to come in! Screens are designed to let the breeze flow in and keep bugs out — but they can only do their job if they’re free from holes and tears. Before setting up your screens for the warm months ahead, be sure to carefully check each one and repair any holes or tears, no matter how small. You can find screen repair kits at most hardware and home improvement stores.

 

Before the super warm weather kicks in, it’s important to check filters for clogs and debris that can lower the air quality in your home. Thoroughly clean ducts and vents and replace filters so the air can easily pass through your unit and efficiently cool your home. Spring is a great marker for changing the interior filters and also having a qualified contractor clean and service the outside unit of the air conditioning system. Clean coils and clear filters may allow you to lower your energy consumption by up to 15% and keep the system working at peak performance levels.

4. KITCHEN & BATHROOM CHECK

Making sure your bathroom and kitchen ventilation systems are working is important for your indoor air quality. This is specially important in newer homes that are airtight. Inspect bathroom & kitchen caulking—recaulk as needed. Test kitchen & bathroom exhaust fans. Your kitchen fan is responsible for taking away the moisture that cooking generates. Your bathroom exhaust fan takes away the moisture created from taking a shower. If the warm, moist air isn’t vented properly, it will lead to serious issues like mold. Check fire extinguishers—at least once a month.

5. CONSIDER UPGRADES

As part of your interior spring cleaning, this might be the time to consider leveling up to more energy-efficient options throughout your home. Heating and cooling systems are huge energy consumers, along with appliances like refrigerators and clothes dryers that use a lot of power.

Installing a programmable thermostat and sensors can allow you to adjust your settings based on if you are home or away, which could potentially help you save up to 10% a year on energy costs. Swapping certain appliances out for ones with energy-saving settings or the ENERGY STAR stamp of approval.

6. RUN FAUCETS & SPRUCE UP OUTDOOR SPACES

The first place to start when you’re outdoor spring cleaning is with the basics: washing, wiping, and sweeping. Wash the front door and trims of any dust and grime, clean off outdoor light fixtures and replace light bulbs. Check the gutters and remove any leaves and debris. Sweep and power wash patios, decks, balconies, and outdoor furniture to prep for that quintessential California outdoor dining and entertaining. Test outside faucets by first letting them run. Place your finger over the opening. If the flow of water stops, you may need to call a professional to inspect your pipes. Also, look for any signs of leaking.

7. REPAIR EXTERIOR WOODWORK & FOUNDATION

Now is also the time to see if any of the woodwork in your home needs repairs. Rails, fences, trellises and other wood features need some love, too. These structures are prone to decay and rot if left alone and other structures will last longer and stay in better condition if they’re stained or resealed every year or two. Before resealing, give your deck a good power wash if it’s pressure-treated wood or a quick scrub and rinse for composite boards. 

8. TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR ROOF

ven if your roof didn't take a beating from snowy conditions, spring is still a great time to give it a once over. Safety first: If you're using a ladder, make sure it's stable before you attempt to climb. Look for missing or damaged shingles and signs of leaking or cracking. Contact a professional in case of any issues. You may also consider removing stains on your roof during spring. If you notice any dark streaks, algae are the likely culprit. The only harm in that case is cosmetic. If you notice moss, on the other hand, you should definitely clean it. Moss can cause asphalt shingles to lift, curl or blow off in high winds. To clean algae or moss, apply a solution of equal parts bleach and water. After about 15 minutes, rinse it off. Don’t pressure wash or scrub as you might damage the shingles.

Are you thinking of buying, selling or investing? Let us guide you home with Aloha!

 

Resources: