As you kiss another Minneapolis winter goodbye and spring emerges, it’s time to prepare your home for the warmer months ahead. Proactive upkeep not only ensures your home looks its best but also safeguards its structural integrity. Here are ten of the top spring home maintenance issues you should tackle as soon as you expect temperatures to rise.
1. Inspect & Clean Your Gutters
Winter debris inevitably clogs gutters, so it’s one of the first spring home maintenance projects to tackle. Cleaning yours out regularly protects your home’s foundation and reduces the risk of overflow that can seep into your siding, basement, or crawl spaces. Check that your gutters are secured properly to your house to prevent long-term damage.
2. Examine Your Roof
Minnesota’s harsh winters can compromise your roof’s integrity. As soon as the snow is gone for good, check carefully for loose, cracked, or missing shingles, and look for signs of mold, mildew, or discoloration that may indicate underlying problems. Roof issues should be addressed promptly to prevent leaks.
3. Service Your HVAC System
This is one of those seasonal home maintenance tips that should be followed in both spring and fall, before you need to start using your air conditioner or heater. You’ll want to clean your vents, replace air filters, and check for blockages. Consider bringing in a Minneapolis HVAC professional to perform a tune-up so your AC is working its best before the high temperatures hit.
4. Check Your Windows & Doors
Closely inspect the seals around your windows and doors for cracks and gaps. Proper sealing boosts energy efficiency by keeping cool air inside and warm air out as the weather improves.
Apply weatherstripping or caulking to prevent leaks, and watch for signs of moisture buildup between panes. Also, having your windows professionally cleaned is one of the top spring home maintenance tips to enhance your curb appeal.
5. Prep Your Lawn & Garden
Ahead of the growing season, aerate and fertilize your lawn to promote healthy growth. Stay on top of weeds, and prune overgrown trees and shrubs. Plan your garden layout to ensure vibrant beauty throughout the season, and make sure your irrigation system is functioning properly.
6. Inspect Outdoor Plumbing
In addition to checking your sprinklers and other parts of your landscape irrigation, you’ll want to make sure your other outdoor plumbing is working, too. The freezing Minneapolis winter temps can easily damage pipes and connections. Check your pool plumbing, and be sure to turn on every outdoor water source so you’re not surprised by a problem down the road.
7. Maintain Your Deck & Patio
The upside to going through all of these spring home maintenance tasks is that you’re guaranteed to enjoy your home more once you’ve gotten potential problems out of the way. To make the most of your outdoor living spaces, pressure wash your deck and patio surfaces to remove built-up grime.
After these areas are clean, inspect for loose boards or pavers, and consider resealing wood surfaces to extend their lifespan. You’ll also want to clean and check your outdoor furniture for damage or excess wear.
8. Check Your Foundation
Minnesota’s rain and snow can wreak havoc on your home’s foundation. Go over every inch to check for cracks or signs of settling—the earlier you spot a problem, the less costly the repairs will be. Inspect your basement walls for moisture buildup or leaks, and make sure the grading around your home is directing water away from your foundation and not toward it.
9. Test Your Safety Devices
This is another of the top home maintenance tips that isn’t just for spring. At least twice a year, ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other safety devices are working properly. Replace batteries in devices, and service or replace your fire extinguishers. Spring is also a good time to replenish emergency supplies and go over your emergency escape plans.
10. Schedule a Professional Spring Home Maintenance Review
While many spring home maintenance tasks can be handled by homeowners, hiring a professional from Tomms Property Solutions offers several key benefits:
- Expertise & Efficiency: Our handymen and service pros have the right training, tools, and techniques to thoroughly inspect and maintain your home systems.
- Savings: Without the proper skills and equipment, your DIY efforts could result in costly mistakes. You can save time, and likely money, by hiring an expert.
- Safety: Electrical repairs, roof maintenance, and gutter cleaning can all be dangerous. Tomms’ team is properly trained and follows safety protocols to reduce risk.
- Peace of Mind: By hiring professionals to handle your spring home maintenance, you know the job is done right.
When it’s time to take action on your seasonal upkeep, it’s time to call Tomms. Reach out to our experts, and enjoy your safe, comfortable, well-functioning Minneapolis home year-round!
Tommy Vannelli is the founder and CEO of Tomms Property Solutions, a leading 360-degree home maintenance company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With a focus on providing comprehensive and high-quality home care with a customer-centric approach; Tomms has quickly become a trusted name in the industry.
Before launching Tomms, Tommy had a professional hockey career that lasted a handful of years. After his hockey career was over Tommy accumulated extensive experience in the home services sector, developing expertise that now drives the company’s success.
In addition to leading Tomms, Tommy enjoys spending time with his 2 rescue cats, his family, friends, and the great outdoors.
