spring home tips burkentine buildersPrep your home for spring with these maintenance tips

Spring has Sprung! Maintaining a healthy home goes beyond dusting and vacuuming. It’s been a long, cold winter with snow and ice, follow these tips to make sure your family and home are ready for a happy, clean spring season.

Clean Gutters

  • Check gutters and remove as much debris with your hands (Don’t forget your gloves!)
  • Remove any leftover gunk with a garden hose
  • Make sure your downspouts channel water at least five feet from foundation walls

Scrub inside

  • Scrub all walls – the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom and living areas
  • Wash baseboards and outlet covers (make sure they are completely dry before replacing)

Replace Filters

  • Replace all filters – water, range hood and air vent filters

Dryer Vent

  • To clean the dryer vent, disconnect the vent from the back of the machine and use a dryer vent brush to remove the lint
  • Outside your house, remove the dryer vent and use the brush to remove lint from the other end of the vent
  • Make sure the vent cover flap moves freely

Prep your garden

  • Use compacted soil to fill low areas next to your foundation
  • Prune dead branches and trim back overgrown shrubbery
  • Spread mulch or bark around trees, shrubs and flowers for a weed-free, well-kept look
  • Start planning what veggies and flowers you want to plant

Smoke Alarms/Detectors

  • Test smoke alarms and change out the batteries as needed
  • Make sure your CO detector is running properly