Here come those April showers! This time of year, all that rain water and longer days of sun are giving our yards that kickstart needed to spring to life. This is a welcomed change to the white backdrop of winter. This is also a great time to take a look around and address some maintenance items with your home.
Here come those April showers! This time of year, all that rain water and longer days of sun are giving our yards that kickstart needed to spring to life. This is a welcomed change to the white backdrop of winter. This is also a great time to take a look around and address some maintenance items with your home.
1- Low Spots
During the drier months it may be hard to spot those low spots until you feel it when pushing the lawnmower or one of the kids or yourself almost roll your ankle. Low spots can be hard to see in summer months since they are covered with grass.The grass is cut at the same level covering the depressing. Using the rainy month of April to allow these low spots to fill up with water will show you where they are. Fill them with some pothole dirt and a layer of topsoil. Throw grass seed on top and you're ready to go. The month of April will be a natural sprinkler for you but make sure to keep the seed moist in between showers too.
2- Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes love standing water. These quickly become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Filling those low spots in the yard will help but also any plant holders, wheelbarrows, or containers that have standing water in them should be emptied. Even better, at the end of the season store any of those items you can inside the shed or garage to prevent mosquitoes from making your yard their home.
3- Safety devices
This is a great time to check those smoke and carbon monoxide detectors batteries. They don't do you any good if the batteries are dead. This is a good time to check the age as well. Smoke detectors are made with a special plastic and they naturally turn yellow over time. This indicates that they are old and need to be replaced. If your detectors are yellow, they may not be protecting you or the home. Replace them right away.
4- HVAC Maintenance.
Time to schedule maintenance with your heating and cooling system. Hopefully by now we don't need that furnace anymore but we want to make sure after a long season of constant use, it's in good working order. We also want to make sure that the cooling system is ready for those hot summer days…and sometimes nights :)
5 - Screens doors and Windows
If you don't have a cooling system or just prefer the natural air outside to enter your home, make sure those screens on the doors and windows are clean. Screens naturally get blocked from pollen, pappus (those white dandelion floaters) and dust. This obviously restricts airflow but that is also what you are breathing in when those windows and doors are open.
6- Bug Patrol
This is the time when those pesky insects start looking for a home. Termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees just to name a few are all looking for the wood that they use to make their home. This puts a target on your house. Look for lots of activity around your home. If you see lots of flying insects in one area they may have started burrowing underground or found a spot in your home. Insects move fast so call a pro as soon as you see any activity before the problem gets any worse.
7- Gutters and Downspouts.
Hopefully you cleared out those gutters last month but unfortunately this is an ongoing battle. Unless you have gutter guards installed, your gutters collect debris year round. Make sure they are clear and the downspout extensions extend at least 5 feet from your home to keep that rainwater from entering the home's foundation. They make hinged downspout extensions that raise up when not in use. Many homeowners have or install underground drainage as well to take the water away from the home.