Stepping into Spring
It’s that time of year when you long for those warm spring days, sitting around with a cold beverage; the snow is melting and perhaps some rain is on its way. Finally, that dark grayness that comes with those winter months is almost behind us!
Two things I have always told my customers over the years is: stay up to date on your maintenance and plan for one project a year. While I often notice that maintenance lags during the winter, it is a great time to sit down and plot out your home upkeep for the next couple months.
First, take a moment to be honest with yourself and ask, “What can I do on my own and what should I hire out?” Even as a professional, I ask myself this question; I have to evaluate my time and the effort each personal home project will take.
Here are a few reminders as spring approaches:
Clear gutters and downspouts of debris, making sure downspout extensions are connected and directing water 3 feet away from your home. When gutters and downspouts are clogged and overflowing, they can damage the fascia and roof. It’s also very important to move water away from your home’s foundation to prevent cracks and flooding.
Schedule A/C unit service or evaporative cooler start up (check out the Knome app for tips).
Contact your contractor to get on the schedule for a house project; often contractors are scheduling a few months out.
Open exterior faucets for the first time, checking for leaks.
Collect any supplies for the lawn and garden. You might need weed killer, grass seed, mulch/compost, garden tools, etc.
Aerate lawn; this promotes grass health & growth by increasing air flow through the soil.
Start the sprinkler system and check for leaks. Never write off a leak as small or insignificant; I recently helped a customer save $30/month by fixing a minor sprinkler leak.
Wherever life takes you this spring, make sure to stop and smell the roses. Cheers to the adventure ahead.
ProTip: Set sprinklers to run in off peak hours to save on your water bill through spring and summer months.
Steve Redder
Steve Redder, based in Fort Collins, CO has over 20 yrs. experience in construction, home maintenance, repairs, and remodeling.