Seasonal checklists

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

A room-by-room and yard-by-yard spring checklist to catch winter wear before summer heat and storms arrive.

Spring in west Georgia means pine pollen on everything, warm days coming fast and the first big storms of the year. It's a good time to walk around your home and catch any winter wear before summer heat and humidity arrive. Use this spring home maintenance checklist as a starting point.

Outside the House

Roof, gutters and drainage

• Look at the roof from the ground with binoculars for missing or damaged shingles. Call a licensed roofer for any roof repairs.
• Clean gutters of leaves and pine needles, using a sturdy ladder and a helper, or hire it out.
• Make sure downspouts drain away from the foundation.
• Look for low spots where water pools near the house after a rain. Clay soil drains slowly, so these spots are worth fixing early.

Siding, paint and caulk

• Rinse pollen and dirt off siding with a garden hose and a soft brush.
• Look for peeling paint, especially on sun-facing walls and trim.
• Check caulk around windows, doors and trim for cracks or gaps.
• Probe painted trim and window sills with a screwdriver for soft, rotted wood.

Decks and porches

• Sweep off pollen and leaves and clean out the gaps between boards.
• Check for soft boards, loose railings, wobbly stairs and popped nails.
• Look under the deck where it attaches to the house.
• Clean and reseal if water no longer beads up on the wood. See our deck maintenance guide.

Windows and doors

• Clean and repair window screens before bug season.
• Check exterior doors for worn weatherstripping and door sweeps.
• Make sure doors close and latch properly.

Lawn and Yard

• Clear winter debris: fallen branches, leaves and storm litter.
• Trim back shrubs and hedges that are touching the house or blocking walkways.
• Cut back limbs hanging over the roof (call a tree service for big limbs or any work near power lines).
• Get your mower ready: sharpen the blade, change the oil, and check the air filter.
• Begin mowing when warm-season grass like Bermuda, zoysia or centipede starts to green up.
• Pull mulch and soil back from siding so there's a gap between the dirt and the house.

Inside the House

Plumbing fixtures

• Look under every sink for drips, stains or soft cabinet floors.
• Check toilets for running, rocking or water at the base.
• Run water in rarely used sinks and tubs.
• Clean faucet aerators to remove mineral buildup.
• Test the outdoor spigots and look for leaks once you turn them back on.

Heating and cooling

• Change your HVAC air filter. Pollen season clogs them fast.
• Schedule AC service with a licensed HVAC company before the summer rush.
• Clear plants and debris away from the outdoor AC unit.

Fans and lights

• Switch ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise for summer. Our ceiling fan guide explains how.
• Dust fan blades and light fixtures.
• Replace burned-out bulbs, especially in outdoor and stairway lights.

Walls, floors and doors

• Look for new drywall cracks or water stains on ceilings.
• Note any doors that start sticking as humidity rises.
• Check floors near tubs, toilets and the dishwasher for soft spots.

Safety

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries as needed.
• Check fire extinguisher gauges.
• Make sure railings on stairs and porches are solid.

Make a List and Prioritize

You'll probably end up with more items than you can tackle in a weekend. Sort them into three groups:

1. Safety issues: loose railings, soft deck boards, broken steps. Do these first.
2. Water issues: leaks, failed caulk, poor drainage. These get worse the longer they wait.
3. Cosmetic issues: paint touch-ups, minor cracks. These can wait if they need to.

How HLM Can Help

Spring is a busy time for us because a lot of people have the same list. We handle yard cleanup, hedge and shrub trimming and deck and porch repairs, plus small fixes inside the house through our general home repair service.

We don't do roofing, HVAC or electrical panel work. We'll tell you if we spot something that needs one of those trades. When fall comes around, our fall home maintenance checklist picks up where this one leaves off.

Hand Off Your Spring List

Text your list or a few photos to (706) 594-5049, or use our free estimate form. Pricing depends on the job, and estimates are free.