With the start of daylight saving, moving your clocks forward is a timely reminder for homeowners to focus on spring cleaning and home maintenance in preparation for summer. There are plenty of important jobs to take care of before then if you want to keep cool, calm and collected when the weather turns on the heat.
You may be preparing your home for sale at auction or simply doing necessary annual maintenance, but transitioning from winter to spring and then summer is essential to ensure your property remains comfortable throughout the warmer months. Springtime is ideal for this, having favourable weather conditions and more good daylight hours. Take this time to get your home and property into shape before the hot weather arrives. Work methodically, focusing on one task at a time. Here are our suggestions for home maintenance tasks to consider:
1. Cleaning and Decluttering:
- Spring is a great time to de-clutter your home, including the garage and the shed! Any items you no longer need can be donated or discarded. Feel good about recycling unused items being put back into good use.
- Deep clean your home, including carpets, upholstery, and curtains. Get into all those nooks and crannies!
- Clean ceiling fans and, if applicable, change the direction of their rotation for summer.
2. Air Conditioning Maintenance:
- Clean or replace air filters to ensure efficient airflow.
- Schedule a professional HVAC inspection and servicing to ensure your system is in good working condition.
- Consider installing a programmable thermostat to help regulate your home’s temperature more efficiently if applicable.
3. Check Windows and Doors:
- Inspect windows and doors for any draughts or leaks. Seal gaps and replace weather stripping as needed.
- Clean windows and screens to allow for better ventilation and block any insect activity.
4. Pest Control:
- Check for signs of pests and take preventative measures such as sealing entry points and using pest repellents.
5. Roof and Gutters:
- Inspect your roof for damaged or missing tiles and have them repaired or replaced.
- Clean out gutters and downpipes to prevent blockages and ensure proper drainage.
- If you’re in a high-risk bushfire area, ensure you apply all the requirements to save you and your family from a fire disaster
6. Landscaping and Yard Care:
- Prune trees and shrubs as needed. Remember high-risk bushfire requirements.
- Clean and service your lawnmower and other gardening equipment.
- Fertilise your lawn and plant any new flowers or shrubs. Plant your vegetable seedlings.
- Check and repair any damaged sprinkler systems.
7. Exterior Maintenance:
- Inspect the exterior of your home for any cracks or damage. Repair and repaint as necessary.
- Clean your deck or patio and consider resealing or staining any timber.
- Power-wash the exterior of your house to remove dirt and grime.
- Use the pressure release on any HWS storage system.
- If you have concerns about the property structure or deterioration of the roof, walls, foundations, contact an independent building inspector to investigate. Contact Houspect on 03 9808 400 or https://www.houspect.com.au/victoria/contact.html
Preparing outdoor entertainment areas is essential, as you may like to host barbecues, picnics or outdoor dining during summer and the upcoming Christmas season.
8. Outdoor Entertainment Areas:
- Clean and prepare outdoor furniture for use.
- Clean and set up your barbecue or outdoor grill to make sure everything is functional. Test the BBQ gas bottle and re-fill.
- Don’t forget to check your outdoor lights or Christmas decorations are all in good working order.
9. Pool Maintenance (if applicable):
- Clean your pool and ensure all equipment is in working order.
- Maintain proper chemical balance for pool water.
- Ensure the safety barriers and gates are operating properly. Cut back any vegetation that may enable a child to climb over pool fences.
10. Energy Efficiency & Sustainability:
- Consider adding insulation in your roof to help regulate indoor temperatures.
- Seal any gaps or cracks in your home’s insulation to improve energy efficiency.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting.
- You might also like to consider sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting or installing solar panels.
Making your home ready for both summer and Christmas entertaining is a great idea making outdoor gatherings popular. With larger gatherings during Christmas, it’s even more important to have safety measures in place, including fire safety and first-aid supplies. Bushfires can be a concern in Victoria, so having a bushfire action plan may be a requisite for your region.
11. Safety Checks:
Test and replace batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Ensure fire extinguishers are in working condition.
Inspect and clean clothes dryer vents to reduce the risk of fires.
12. Emergency Kit and Planning:
- Review your emergency preparedness kit and update it as needed.
- Create or review your family’s emergency plan.
13. Your Health & COVID-19:
- Sanitise/wash your hands before and after contact.
- Maintain social distancing. Wear face masks. Avoid coughing, or cough into the crook of your elbow – face masks provides most protection.
14. Local Regulations and Restrictions:
- Keep in mind any local regulations or restrictions related to outdoor fires, noise, or gatherings, that may be relevant during the Christmas and New Year seasons.
By tackling these home maintenance tasks in the spring, you’ll be better prepared to enjoy the summer months comfortably and with peace of mind. It’s a good time to address any issues before they potentially worsen and become more costly to repair.
