1. Gutters
To Do: Remove leaves and debris that have gathered in your gutters through the winter. This will help to ensure your gutters are ready to tackle April Showers. Gutters that are blocked can cause damage to your home or even your home's foundation.Shortcuts: Once you have cleaned out your gutters, consider installing gutter guards, screen, foam or surface tension inserts, to help keep debris out in the future.Call A Pro: A professional gutter cleaner can charge up to $250 for 200 linear feet of gutter on a two-story home. A professional can also install gutter guards, which cost between $7.50 - $10 per linear foot.
2. AC Condenser
Task: Remove dust and debris from the AC condenser (the large unit outside the home) so the AC functions efficiently.Shortcuts: Use your standard garden hose to spray the outside of the unit to clean it. Do not use a brush or pressure hose as you could cause expensive damage.Call A Pro: A professional can service your system for about $250 which will include cleaning the condenser unit and lubricating the fan motor. Your AC will be in tip-top shape as the warming months roll in.
3. P
Task: Bring life back into your yard while the temperatures are pleasant.Shortcuts: Remove branches and debris from your yard. If you have roses, prune the bushes just before the plant breaks its dormancy, after the last frost of winter. This is usually around mid-March. Make sure to clip away and dispose any diseased buds so the infestations do not spread.Call A Pro: Professional lawn services charge between $65-$90 for moving and clean up on an average-sized yard.
4. Clean the siding
Task: Clean out dirt and grim that can cause mildew in your siding. Cleaning it out will lengthen the life of your siding, and give the exterior of your home a fresh look for spring.Shortcuts: All you will need is a bucket of warm, soapy water and a long-handled brush. Rinse away with water from the garden hose.Call A Pro: To have a professional clean the siding on a two-story, 2,500 sqft home will cost between $900 to $1,150.
5. Clean and repair outdoor decks
Task: Clean out leaves and debris from your deck and deck boards to prevent staining and lower the chances of rot. This is a good time to check for loose or damaged boards and reset any protruding or missing nails.Shortcuts: Use a flat screwdriver to get debris from between boards and a deck cleaning product to revive faded or stained boards.Call in the pros: A professional deck cleaning company can cost between $80 and $480 to clean out a 16 x 20 foot deck.
6. Caulk around windows and doors
Task: Check out the caulking around your windows and doors to see how it fared through the winter. Repair any cracked or damaged caulking to help prevent water from entering.Shortcuts: Cut down on how often you repair caulking by purchasing high-quality, siliconized acrylic latex caulk for exteriors. This specific type of caulking has good adhesion and flexibility, while still cleaning up easily with water. You can also paint over it if needed.Call A Pro: A professional caulking job can cost between $175-$410 for an averaged sized home.
7. Inspect walkways and driveways
Task: The extreme ranging temperatures of winter can cause damage to your concrete and asphalt. Seal any cracks with sealant made for the specific material you're repairing.Shortcuts: Try stuffing foam backer rods into large cracks in walkways or driveways to reduce the amount of sealant needed.Call A Pro: Hiring a professional to repair the cracks will cost between $100-$250.
8. Inspect the roofing
Task: Inspect your roofing and check for loose, damaged or missing materials. Also take notice of any damage or wear to flashing and cracked boots around vent pipes.Shortcuts: A great way to make it easy for yourself is to simply inspect your roof with a pair of binoculars while standing on stable ground.Call A Pro: A professional roofer can inspect your roof for free, but will charge anywhere from $95 to $500 for repairs depending on the damage or wear.