Spring is always a great time for a reset and a good clean/check-up around the home. As the snow melts (and flooding can happen as we've been seeing a lot of lately) and the weather warms up, it's important to prepare your home for the new season ahead. Neglecting even a brief scan of the home can lead to pricey and lengthy problems down the road. 

So to help out our fellow homeowners in Pittsburgh, we've compiled the J. Francis Company general spring cleaning and home maintenance tips that we ourselves use every year. It's a collection of our personal maintenance items that we as homeowners do ourselves (so we approve this list!). We encourage you to save it and share to help ensure that your home is in tip-top shape for the upcoming season as well as your neighbors' homes. And well, if you're ready to mark off some larger checklist items, like updating your kitchen or adding a beautiful outdoor living area, feel free to give us a call or start your project here.
 

11 items to check around the home this spring:
 

1. Clean Windows and Screens: 

Let's start by cleaning your windows inside and out to let in more natural light and give your home a fresh new look. Don't forget to clean your window screens as well to remove any dust or debris that may have accumulated over the winter. This also allows you to inspect your window screens for any tears or holes and repair or replace them as needed. We want to keep pests out (hello lantern fly season) and allow you to enjoy the warmer months with your windows open.
 

2. Check Your HVAC System: 

Inspect your HVAC system, including the HVAC filter, air conditioner, and ductwork, to ensure they are in good condition. Consider scheduling a professional maintenance check to keep your system running efficiently throughout the warmer months.
 

3. Have You Ever Had a Water Heater Inspection? 

Many homeowners don't think to have their costly items inspected and then are surprised when a large bill to replace it quickly occurs. Having your water heater inspected can help ensure that it is operating efficiently and can help prevent potential issues that could lead to costly repairs.
 

4. Prepare for April Showers: 

With spring comes heavy rains and unexpected floods due to spring showers as we've seen lately in Pittsburgh, so it's important to prepare your home for excess water. Clean out your rain gutters and remove any debris that accumulated over winter to prevent clogs and ensure that water flows away from your home's foundation. Also don't forget to check your crawl space and basement for any signs of water damage or leaks. Remember, Pittsburgh is known for leaky basements! 
 

5. Maintain Your Outdoor Spaces: 

Give your outdoor spaces some love and attention by cleaning and inspecting your patio furniture, deck structure, and outdoor faucets (something usually overlooked!) We even see homeowners now investing in a water purification system for their outdoor faucets to ensure clean water for gardening and drinking - no more rusty spickets like we grew up with. It also might be time for a good ole deck staining or exterior power washing session.
 

6. Care for Your Lawn and Garden: 

Well all know spring is the time to start planting new plants and flowers. But which plants are best for your home not only to provide shade and privacy but which help prevent lantern flies and/or are deer-proof? Beyond planting low-maintenance plants that are suitable for your climate and soil type and removing dead leaves and debris from your lawn and garden beds to allow new life to flourish, it might be time to invest in a professional option to upgrade your space. If you're looking for a great landscaper or lawn service this summer, we recommend checking out Jon Stanton over at Dream Greener.
 

7. Check Your Roof and Exterior Walls: 

We saw some trees and limbs falling here in Pittsburgh in late winter/early spring. Take a walk around the outside perimeter of your home and look for any signs of damage to the exterior walls, roof, or foundation. Inspect your roof for any signs of damage or leaks, or hire someone to take a quick peek at it for you if you're not into steep heights. It's also good to do a walkaround to check the exterior walls of your home for cracks or gaps and seal them to keep pests out (and energy bills down). Addressing these issues early can help prevent further damage and large repair costs.
 

8. Check your alarm systems: 

When is the last time you checked your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors? Been a while for us, too. This is a great time to make sure they're functioning properly. 
 

9. While you're at it, Inspect and Clean Your Dryer Vent: 

Lint buildup in your dryer vent can be a fire hazard. We all know this but also always forget! Use this reminder to clean out the vent to remove any lint buildup and ensure that your dryer is operating safely.
 

10. Organize Your Outdoor Area: 

Now is also a great time to organize your outdoor area, including your garage, shed, and patio. Did someone say garage sale? Now you can put all that extra money into your dream home renovation! This can help you make the most of your outdoor space and enjoy the warmer days ahead.
 

11. Schedule a Day for Deep Cleaning: 

We all talk about it, but do we ever really set a day to just clean? We're all busy these days, so planning ahead to take a day only to clean up the home will pencil it into your schedule, and trust us, you'll feel so much better after it's done! This deep cleaning for your home helps remove any lingering dust, dirt, or allergens from the winter months and can help improve indoor air quality and give your home a fresh start for spring. Don't have the time? There are great companies that will come in and do this for you.