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SPRING MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST
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The following should be at the top of your list:
- Check your home's exterior walkways, sidewalks, stairways, and foot paths for possible trip hazards and cracks.
- Look out for tree roots that can undermine foundations, driveways, and walkways and for vines that can damage siding and trim.
- Clean gutters to remove debris caused by winds and rain. While you're at it, check to ensure that gutters are not loose or leaky.
- Trim overgrown tree branches and shrubs. Pay careful attention to areas around the chimney and roof, which will help reduce the chance of fire, roof damage, and buildup of debris in gutters and on roof surfaces.
- Give decks, driveways, fences, and windows a good scrubbing - particularly if you're planning to put your home on the market. You may want to use a pressure washer for these jobs.
- Touch up any peeling or cracking paint - both indoors and outdoors.
- Caulk bathroom tubs and shower stalls to prevent moisture from seeping behind the wall covering and under the flooring.
- While you have the caulk out, look for any gaps around windows and doors. Fill up crevices that are wider than a nickel.
- Check to make sure no water has leaked into the attic or seeped into the basement via cracks in the foundation - especially important after a rainy winter.
- Test all smoke detectors in your home and change batteries as needed.
- Winter rains can cause your lawn to quickly become overgrown. Ensure that your lawn-care equipment is in good working order by sharpening your lawnmower's blades and changing the engine oil.
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