15 Things Responsible Homeowners Do Every Spring

Spring is here, which makes this a good time to tackle important home maintenance projects. Taking care of minor things now can prevent major, expensive repairs down the road and help you keep more money in your bank account.

Following are some items homeowners should consider addressing this spring.

Roofs and gutters can take a heavy beating in the winter thanks to heavy snowfalls or ice buildup.

Give your roof and gutters a good check yourself or hire a professional to take a look. And be sure to check for damage and clean out extra debris in your gutters that lingered over the winter.

It's important to turn on your sprinklers to check for any leaks in the system or broken sprinkler heads or call a professional to help set up your system.

Remember to schedule your sprinklers to run early in the morning so you avoid issues with evaporation and other problems when it warms up later in the day.

Run your air conditioner to make sure it's blowing cold air and ready to go as the warmer days approach.

If not, call a professional to take a look. Check the outside of the unit and clear away any debris to ensure good airflow.

Give your windows a scrub and clear out any dirt and debris from windows and screens. You should also check your screens for holes or tears and get them repaired.

Stay on top of weeds that start to pop up early in the spring and clean up any leaves lingering from last fall.

It's also a good time to spruce up your home’s landscaping with mulch or add edging to keep your flower bed clean. Consider what you want to plant this year and start making preparations.

Spring cleaning offers a perfect opportunity to get a fresh start and clean out the old stuff that lingered around all winter.

Tackle your decluttering plan one room at a time so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Sort things into different piles, such as one pile for things to trash and another for items that can be donated.

Your deck can be a great place to hang out now that it’s getting warmer. Be sure to check the deck for damage or rot that might have occurred during winter months. Repair any issues that you find before you put furniture (and people) on the deck again.

Inspect smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they're working and install fresh batteries if necessary.

Look through the basement and attic and try to find issues that emerged during the winter months like leaks and mildew. Check for potential cracks, damage, or other issues that need to be fixed.

If you can't afford repairs, consider starting a side hustle or finding another way to make extra cash so you can take care of the problem promptly.

Pro tip: Try to fix damage soon after you find it. This can prevent small problems from becoming big fixes later.

Spring is a good time to consider home upgrades or other additions. For example, think about adding a patio outside or upgrading your landscaping. Consider replacing doors and windows that were drafty during the winter months.

Air filters need to be changed on a regular basis to keep your furnace and air conditioner running properly. Take a look at your filters and replace them if necessary.

Depending on the type of filter, you might need to replace it every month or every few months.

You may have turned off your exterior water supply in the winter to prevent your pipes and hose bibs from freezing. When you turn on the bibs in the spring, check for leaks or other issues that might have shown up during the winter.

Concrete can take a beating during cold winter months. Give your concrete slabs a careful examination and make sure there isn’t any damage that needs to be repaired. Consider using a power washer to remove dirt and grime from the concrete.

Check your sump pump. During the rainy spring months, you want it to work properly to get water away from your home. If you have a backup system on your sump pump, give it a good look as well.

One of the great things about spring is that you can roll your grill out of storage, clean it up, and cook up some burgers for friends and family.

Your grill will need a good scrubbing to get rid of dirt or debris that may have built up over the winter. And don't forget to check your gas hook-ups or charcoal to make sure they're ready to go.

Being a homeowner means you have to constantly think about different maintenance issues. Addressing them promptly is the best way to keep the damage — and the cost of repairs — in check.

There are some items like roof repair that you’ll want to hire a professional to handle. But you can also take care of many of these items yourself, which can lower costs and help you get ahead financially.