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Spring has sprung and the buds have bloomed. Cold, dreary weather will soon be nothing but a memory and longer daylight hours will give you plenty of time to poke around the house. The arrival of spring is as reminder to conquer chores that only need to be done once or twice a year.
Filter Switch
When the warm breezes blow, let them remind you to change the filters in your heating and air conditioning system. Filters become packed with dust as heat blasts through them during the winter season. At a certain point, the filters become blocked and can no longer do their job. Change your filters now before you start using the air conditioning, and change them again before you fire up your heating system in winter. This system will help you keep the air in your house dust free.
Mattress Flip
This is a job that doesn't take much time but can really make a difference in the longevity of your mattress and the quality of your sleep. Flip your mattress over so that the top is underneath. The rotate the mattress so the head is relocated to the bottom of the bed. Shifting the mattress like this once or twice a year can help it keep its shape. Someone should help you with this job, since the size and weight of mattresses make them unwieldy and awkward to move.
Gutter Cleaning
Now is the perfect time to clean last fall's leaves out of the gutter. This job may be messy, but it is necessary if you want your gutter system to work. Leaves, twigs and other debris can quickly clog your gutters and cause them to overflow, sending cascades of water down the side of your house, instead of down the drainpipe. All you need to complete the job is a tall ladder and some good work gloves to help you scoop out the muck. Toss the debris to the ground and rake it up when you are finished. It's best to clean your gutters before the real spring and summer storms hit. Be cautious and have someone hold the ladder for you as you work.
Smoke Alarms
Smoke detectors need to have their batteries changed every six months if you want to be able to depend on them in an emergency. Replace the batteries this spring and test each unit to make sure it functions properly. If your house has carbon monoxide detectors, test these units as well. If you have gas appliances, and don't have carbon monoxide detectors, consider installing them as a cheap, easy home improvement this spring.
Roof Check
As long as you have the ladder out, inspect your roof for any damage that may have occurred during the winter. You'll want to make repairs before any heavy rain. Look to see if any tiles or shingles are missing. Check to make sure the flashing is in good shape along the chimney, vents and other areas. If the roof is covered with pine needles, leaves or other debris, grab a leaf blower and remove as much as you can. This type of debris can be a fire hazard. Branches that hang too close to the roof may pose a similar risk.
Editor, 04/26/2012
