4 Easy Spring Home Maintenance Tips

Just as the season starts to show promise of warmer weather and longer days here in Minnesota, every March we get that reality check of having to lose that precious hour brought on by Daylight Saving Time. It sort of feels like we earned that hour, doesn't it?

Well, it's not all bad. There is still more sunlight throughout the day, which should bring some renewed energy to get started on that spring cleaning list we've all been putting off! You know, that one you started on your phone but put down to watch the Winter Olympics.

So what's on your list to get done this spring? As Realtors, we know all sorts of quirky things about home maintenance. Check out a few of our recommended tips you may not have had on your list in previous years:

1. Check your roof for damaged or missing shingles

Once the snow melts and you can get a good view of your roof, do a visual inspection to make sure the winter snow and ice buildup didn't cause any permanent damage. Catching a roof leak early can be a huge money saver, and often way cheaper to repair before it does some serious internal damage.

2. Clean your air conditioner’s condenser coil and in-unit filters

You may not have been motivated to do this as you were rushing to get your home closed up for the first winter storm, but you don't want to go all summer with dirty filters or a bunch of buildup on your A/C condenser. Not only does this hurt energy costs, but it can shorten the lifespan of your unit in general by making it have to work harder to do its job.

3. Drain your hot water heater

You'll want your owner’s manual handy for this one, but for most models it's surprisingly a very simple task, requiring nothing more than a drain and a garden hose. This can help extend the life of the unit by removing sediment that collects at the bottom inside the tank. 

4. Reverse your ceiling fans direction

This one is as easy to forget about as it is to do! Ceiling fans should spin counterclockwise in the warmer months to keep that cool air down where we feel it most. This can lower the temp of the room quicker, and prevent your A/C unit from having to work overtime. For most fans, there is a small switch near the top of the unit, and flipping the switch will reverse the direction.

While not an all-inclusive seasonal maintenance list, we thought these might be some helpful ones to get you inspired as the warm weather approaches!

Or maybe the warm weather has you considering a move? If so, whether you're selling a current home or buying a new one, a VIBE agent would be happy to go over all the important things to consider to get you properly prepared. The best time to move is when it's right for you, and we’re here to help!