Two words that just don’t seem to go together are springtime and procrastination.
The birds are coming back, the daffodils are blooming and the maintenance chores you put off all winter need to get done. Maybe you can work off a little winter weight in the process!
At FaithFi, we always want to help you manage your time, talent, and treasure— and make no mistake— do-it-yourself preventive maintenance is faithful stewardship of all three of those resources we receive from God. 1 Corinthians 4:2 reads, “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”
The more time and talent you have, the less treasure you’ll have to spend to get things done. However, if you don’t have the physical ability or know-how to do any of these chores, it’s wise to hire someone to do them.
Here’s your Spring “To Do” list:
1. Inspect your outdoor air conditioning unit to make sure it’s ready for summer.
Look for debris inside and around the unit. Leaves and other materials can collect over the winter and could cause damage when the system kicks on. Of course, it’s also wise to have a qualified heating and cooling contractor clean the coils and service the outside unit— and that’s not a D-I-Y project. An annual maintenance checkup to clean coils, change filters, and possibly add coolant can add years of service to the unit. It’s definitely worth having done.
2. Take a look at your roof.
You may be able to do this from the ground and we’d recommend that, if possible. Did you lose any shingles over the winter? If you spot damages, call in a professional roofer to make repairs. You may also want to start saving a little each month toward a new roof. They do wear out, and these days they can cost anywhere from $7,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the size of your house. Set up a separate savings account that can earn interest until your roof needs replacement.
3. Inspect for loose, leaky, or clogged gutters around the house.
You’ll need to get on a ladder for this one, so if you’re not comfortable and careful doing that, again, it’s better to hire someone. It’s important to have this done, though, because drainage problems can lead to water entering your basement or crawlspace, causing further damage.
If the gutters are only clogged, you can try removing the debris from the ground with one of those hose attachments shaped like a candy cane. Various models are sold online for $15 to $115. Anytime you can avoid getting on a ladder, it’s best to do so.
4. Check around the yard and next to the foundation for low areas.
These areas can fill with spring rain and threaten to flood the house. You can fill them with soil and spread grass seeds to eliminate the problem.
5. Test your outside faucets for freeze damage.
Put your thumb firmly over the faucet opening and turn on the water. If you can stop water from coming out of the faucet, the pipe inside your home is probably ruptured from freezing. Turn the water off immediately and replace the entire faucet unit. Unless you’re very handy, you’ll probably have to call a plumber for this one.
If you’re wondering why the pipe inside your house wasn’t leaking all winter, it’s because the actual shut-off valve for the faucet is in the pipe a foot or more inside the house. That prevents flooding if the pipe closest to the outside wall is ruptured.
6. If you stacked firewood over the winter on your deck or near your home, it’s time to move it.
You don’t want it close to the house over the summer when termites and carpenter ants get busy. Move the wood farther away, or stack it away from the house from the get-go so you don’t have to move it in the spring.
7. Check for cracks in your sidewalk and driveway.
This is especially true if you live in the north where freezing water will expand cracks. Fill any cracks with cement filler or silicone caulk. Otherwise, they’ll just keep growing and widening every winter.
8. Finally, prepare your lawn mower to sally forth and slay grass for another season.
Inspect and tighten or repair outside components on the mower, such as handles, grass chutes, and wheels. Change the spark plug and oil, and inspect the air, oil, and fuel filters. Sharpen or replace the blades as needed. Lastly, fill the tank with fresh ethanol-free fuel. Ethanol is terrible for small engines and will dramatically shorten the life of the carburetor, so avoid that.
These are your spring maintenance tips. We hope they help you prepare for an enjoyable summer season.
