Lifestyle

Regular home maintenance is a must to keep your house in good working order, and spring’s warmer weather is the perfect time for those jobs you’ve been putting off over winter. For the first time home buyer our checklist might look a bit daunting, but you don’t have to cram in all these chores over one weekend. We’ve broken them up into bite-sized chunks, so you can tackle each section as your mood and energy dictates! Keep Your Home’s Exterior In Tip Top Shape As your most expensive asset, your home deserves a little TLC, especially after a long, cold winter. Some exterior cleaning and a few DIY touch ups will ensure you have the best-looking house on the block. Make sure you start at the top of the house and work your way down, so you don’t dirty your clean windows. Check roof for loose tilesClear the gutters and downpipes of leavesUse a pressure washer to clean off mud, dirt and grimeReplace damaged window and door seals (if needed)Inspect exterior paint and touch up (if needed)Clean and repair window screensClean and seal deck (if needed)Repair driveway (if needed)Clean sidewalks and patioClean the BBQClean outdoor furniture and cushions (or replace)Paint letterbox (or replace) How To Spruce Up Your Yard Spring is peak time for yard clean up and any yard maintenance you do right now will see you reap the benefits come summer. While you can hire a professional, most yard maintenance jobs are simple enough to do. Besides, being outside in the fresh air is good for your mental and physical health. Yard maintenance doesn’t have to be hard, there’s plenty of affordable (and dare we say fun) equipment you can purchase to beautify your yard without spending hours in it. Rake up leaves and other yard debrisCut off broken branchesWeed and aerate flower bedsAdd mulchPlant flowersWater and fertilize your lawnMow the lawn (when its grown high enough)Spot seed any bare patches of lawnPrune trees and shrubsInspect fence and fix if broken Make Your Home Smell Fresh and Clean When you’ve been hunkering down for the winter, you can start feeling like you’re living in a cave. Even if you don’t notice any odors, your guests might! Get rid of musty and stinky smells with a little indoor spring cleaning. Believe us these will really make your home smell fresh and clean! Scrub kitchen floor to remove caked on foodClean and air pet bedsClean kitchen exhaust hood and filterCheck sinks and toilets for leaks or blocksClean all drainsClean the garbage disposalEmpty food trap in dishwasherClean the trash canOpen doors and windows to air rooms Extra Spring Cleaning Tasks Once you’ve tackled the source of any foul odors it’s time to add a few extra spring-cleaning jobs to your list and really make your home sparkle. Why stop now, right? Spring cleaning is well known for its health and mood boosting benefits. While you might clean regularly, after winter, a deep clean can really help boost your productivity and energy levels. Again, it’s a good idea to start at the top of the house and work your way down; and dust first, then vacuum. Bedrooms Strip and wash beddingDry clean comfortersDeep clean mattressDeclutter wardrobeDust light fittingsClean windows and sillsWipe walls and ceilingsDust baseboardsVacuum or mop floors Kitchen Declutter and clean drawers, cabinets and pantryClean toasterClean microwaveClean kettleWipe down inside and outside of dishwasherClean fruit bowl/basketWipe down counters and backsplashWipe down stools, table and chairs, and islandsClean cooktop and ovenThrow out food past use by dateClean and restock fridgeDust and wipe down light fixturesWipe walls and ceilingsSweep floorMop floor Bathroom Declutter the vanityWipe shelves and drawersThrow out trashDisinfect and scrub toiletScrub shower and bathWash shower curtainRemove moldRegrout tilesClean fans and ventsClean baseboards, windows & window sillsWipe walls and ceilingsPolish mirrorsSweep or vacuum floorMop the floor Living Room Clean windowsSteam clean carpetsVacuum rugsMove furniture and vacuum underneathBeat cushions outside to remove dustDust books and shelvesDust hard to reach placesWax wooden furnitureDust and clean blindsPolish door and window handlesWash or dry clean curtainsWipe walls and ceilings How to Keep Your Home Safe As a first-time home buyer, home maintenance may be on your radar, but home safety may not be. Ensuring your house is safe and secure for all occupants is really important and neglecting this can have serious consequences. We’re not just talking about burglars, uninvited guests, such as termites and rodents, can play havoc with your home’s structure, electrical wiring and carry disease. Reinforce your front doorInstall an outdoor motion detector LED lightInstall security latches on windowsInstall fresh batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectorsTest and dust all detectorsCheck fire extinguishersClean clothes dryer vents (lint is a fire hazard)Inspect the roof for storm damageInspect for activity by termites, ants, rodents, and other pests Make Your Home More Energy Efficient Last but not least, while you’re in home maintenance mode you should think about making your house more energy efficient. For a first-time home buyer, this is key if you’ve had a nasty shock with sky high power bills during winter. Not only will an energy efficient home save you money, it will feel more comfortable and reduce your contribution to global warming. Clean and service your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systemChange the filters in your heating and air conditioning systemDust refrigerator coilsClean the ceiling fanChange light bulbs to LEDsReplace old appliancesGet insulation curtainsSeal any air leaks around your home 10 Home Repairs You Can Do On Your OwnTips to Keep Your Home Clean Year-RoundHow to Make Household Chores More Fun For Kids

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