Spring has sprung yet again here in South Jersey. Longtime residents of the area know how tumultuous the weather can be this time of year as we transition from winter to spring. This time of year is known for “spring cleaning” and it’s a great time to catch up on some home maintenance you may have been neglecting during the winter. It is important that homeowners come up with a plan for their spring home preparation. As we approach the end of March, South Jersey residents should be prepping their homes for the upcoming spring weather conditions.
Post-Winter Recovery & Preparing For Spring
This past winter was one of the snowiest we’ve had in quite some time here in South Jersey, with a bulk of the storms happening over the span of just a few weeks. Now that it is officially spring, here are some things you can do to help your home’s exterior recover from winter weather as part of your spring home preparation & spring cleaning routine.
- Check for Leaks: Inspect common areas of the home where leaks may be known to occur. Repair any leaks you find as soon as possible. These common areas include:
- Attic
- Basement or crawl space
- Around sinks, showers & toilets
- Pipes & washing machine hoses
- Inspect & Repair Roofing Issues: Inspect your roof for missing, loose or damaged shingles. Any roof damage you discover should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid further damage or potential leakage.
- Gutter Maintenance: Ensure that your gutters & downspouts are clear of any debris, ice, or blockages, and check that they are still securely attached to the exterior of your house. Blocked or loose gutters can lead to water intrusion into your home, roof damage, & damaged trim.
- Repair Window & Door Drafts: Examine the caulking surrounding your door & window seals to ensure that there are no drafts or leaks coming through.
- Foundation Maintenance: Check both the exterior & interior of your foundation (if accessible) for any cracks or signs of damage. Ensure that no water is pooling around the exterior of your home’s foundation. This can be done by checking the grading surrounding your home to ensure that it is sloping downward away from your home.
Warmer Weather & Spring Home Preparation
One of the things that makes NJ weather unique is that we get to experience the full spectrum of the seasons, from icy cold winters to scorching hot summers. South Jersey homeowners & their properties need to be prepared to handle the transitions from one season to the next. As we transition out of winter, here are some indoor spring home preparation tasks you can fulfill to make that transition as smooth as possible.
- HVAC Maintenance: Make sure that your HVAC system is running properly before the temperature changes have you turning on your air conditioning. Change any filters that need to be replaced. Staying on top of HVAC maintenance before it gets hot out will keep it from breaking down when you need it most.
- Sealing: Check to see that your home is well sealed. Poor insulation & air leaks can allow hot air in and cool air out. A poorly sealed home can cause energy bills to skyrocket, and the hot outdoor air meeting the cool environment of your air conditioned home can lead to condensation & moisture buildup.
- Change Ceiling Fan Direction: This is something that can easily be overlooked. The direction in which your fan is cycling can actually make a difference when it comes to the indoor environment of your home. Ceiling fans facilitate proper air circulation, reducing the need for excessive air conditioning & HVAC usage. For a cooling effect during the spring & summer months, run the fan in a counter-clockwise direction. This forces air to move downward towards you, rather than sucking air back upwards.
- Attic & Basement/Crawl Space Maintenance: At least twice a year, South Jersey homeowners should be setting aside time to do a full walk-through of their attic, basement or crawl space. These are the areas that tend to be neglected throughout the year, as they usually aren’t an occupied area of the home. Check that these areas are being properly ventilated to prevent moisture buildup, and ensure that humidity levels are kept between 35% and 50%. Keep a close eye on these areas for leakage, water intrusion or signs of mold growth. Additionally, you should be assessing the condition of your home’s insulation in these areas, replacing any insulation that is damaged or missing.
The transition out of the winter months is an important time for your property as a homeowner. Transitional periods between seasons are the best times to conduct maintenance checks, preparing your home for the conditions to come. As you can see, a few easy additions to your spring cleaning maintenance routine can make all the difference when it comes to spring home preparation.
