Spring Maintenance Tips Part Two: Outside Your Home

While freshening up the inside of your house at the start of spring will certainly have a rejuvenating effect, there’s nothing quite like a sparkling yard and exterior to really make your house stand out. Make this your year to impress the neighborhood by following these essential, outdoor spring maintenance tips.

Home Structure

• Schedule a roof inspection to identify and address damaged shingles and other symptoms of an aged roof. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends having your roof inspected in the spring as well as the fall.

• Clean gutters and downspouts to prepare for spring showers. Overflowing gutters can cause wood rot and foundation problems. Also, a buildup of debris in the gutters can invite pest infestation and prematurely age your gutters. While cleaning your gutters, keep an eye out for holes, leaks, and loose gutters that need professional attention.

• Have your windows cleaned inside and out. A thorough cleaning of the window panes and surrounding trim can have your house looking new again.

Around the House

• Remove junk and debris from the yard, outdoor living spaces, and the garage.

• Pressure wash your decks, patios, walkways, and other outdoor structures. The buildup of mold, mildew, dirt, and gunk can speed up the decay of outdoor structures, resulting in costly repair or replacement.

• Inspect your property for cracks in the driveway, walkways, and patios, which can be a sign of hidden problems with their foundation.

Yard Care

• Scalp your lawn, if necessary. Bermuda, a warm-season grass, will benefit from being mowed at the lowest blade setting once the risk of a hard freeze has passed. Scalping allows sunlight to penetrate to the soil, jumpstarting spring growth.

• Mulch around trees and shrubs. Mulch provides a rich layer of organic debris that regulates soil temperature and retains moisture. This protective layer will also inhibit weed growth and discourage wandering lawn mowers and weed whackers from getting too close.

• Apply fertilizer appropriate for your climate and landscape. A slow-release fertilizer will be ideal for most plants, trees, and shrubs, but a lawn maintenance professional can perform a soil test and prescribe the right fertilizer regimen.

• Sharpen your mower blades. Many lawns suffer from discoloration when dull mower blades rip and tear the grass instead of cleanly cutting it. During the spring and summer, you’ll need to mow your lawn at least once a week to encourage growth.

• Liven up your yard by planting trees or adding flowerbeds and shrubs. Whether you’re new to landscaping or need a professional touch, a landscape specialist can help create an exciting layout with plant species well suited to your yard.

For quick and easy spring maintenance, divide the tasks among your family members and enlist professional help whenever needed. Spring maintenance can feel overwhelming, but tackling each of these items will leave you with a home that’s ready for spring and summer fun.