6 Outdoor Spring Maintenance Tasks You Don’t Want to Skip

Outdoor Spring Maintenance is a Must!

The spring season has graced us with its warm presence early this year. After the short winter we had, if one can even call it that, we’re looking forward to more pleasant days ahead, filled with sunshine and light breezes. We’ll certainly see our fair share of thunderstorms this season, but when you come across a day wherein the fair weather demands your presence outside, take advantage of the time and complete your spring maintenance! You won’t want to sit on these chores, because once the blistering heat plants itself, you will have a miserable time. So, get to work and enjoy the fresh air! Follow our ultimate outdoor spring maintenance check list.

If you don’t feel equipped to complete a task on here safely, don’t risk it. In this case, you will want to leave it to someone you know who can or call a professional.

1. Clean Your Gutters

Hopefully, you cleared your gutters of debris, leaves and twigs last fall. This task should be done twice a year: once in the fall and again in the early spring. This isn’t a task you want to overlook, as a buildup of gunk can severely damage your gutters. Here’s how to clean your gutters:

• First and foremost, make sure to put on safety goggles, gloves and a mask to keep debris from getting in your face. Use a sturdy ladder and make sure it’s stabilized before you begin.
• Use a garden trowel and scoop all the debris into a trash bag. Make sure the gutters are all clear.
• Place a high-pressure nozzle onto your house and spray in the direction of your downspout.
• Make sure to clear the down spots after, using a hose or auger.

If you have gutters that are above the first story or you’re not comfortable climbing a ladder to do the job, you’re better off hiring a professional. Don’t risk your safety!

2. Inspect Your Roof

From afar, that is. We don’t recommend anyone climb atop a roof. If you feel comfortable climbing a ladder, you can do that too. We recommend grabbing a pair of binoculars and inspecting with those. HouseLogic put together a thorough inspection checklist that can be completed from the ground, using binoculars. Look for the following:

• Cracked caulk or rust spots on flashing.
• Shingles that are buckling, curling or blistering.
• Missing or broken shingles.
• Cracked and worn rubber boots around vent pipes.
• Missing or damaged chimney cap.
• Masses of moss and lichen, which could sign the roof is decaying underneath. Black algae stains are just cosmetic.

3. Test Your Power Equipment

Flowers and trees have already begun to bloom, and soon the grass will start to grow and turn green. If you have any power equipment such as a lawn mower, weed eater, edger, chainsaw or leaf blower, make sure to test them now to ensure that they are working properly. Don’t wait until you need the equipment to test it.

4. Trim Your Trees & Shrubs

Right now is the perfect time to trim because you can still see individual limbs. For good measure, keep all limbs between five and seven feet from your house. Not only will doing so prevent moisture from accumulating on your roof and siding, it will also help keep squirrels and other critters from exploring your roof.

5. Test Your Outdoor Water Systems

Even though our winter was mild, it’s still a good idea to test your water systems to ensure that they’re working properly. These include: pipes, faucets and sprinkler systems.

6. Service Your A/C Unit

We recommend leaving this task to a licensed professional who has the tools and skill to complete a thorough inspection of your unit. There are things you can do on your own, however, like changing out the air filter every 30 to 90 days and keeping it clear of leaves, twigs and debris. Check out our blog post “3 Important Reasons to Schedule Your Spring HVAC Tune-Up.”

For information or assistance with HVAC efficiency, give Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning a call at 405-794-8900.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to learn more about maintaining a safe and energy-efficient home. Should heating, cooling or indoor air quality troubles arise, don’t hesitate to call us or schedule service online.