It’s been a mild winter so far this year. Perhaps now is a good time to focus on some spring-oriented house projects to prepare for the upcoming warmer months (as well as have your home staged to be “market ready” if you are planning on selling). Here are some projects to tackle inside and outside of your home:

PROJECTS INSIDE THE HOME

How are the “Holders” Doing?
Are the towel racks and toilet tissue paper holders sturdy? If not, unscrew the item and see if it needs a more secure wall anchor like a toggle bolt.

Door Hinges
If you have squeaky doors, get some powdered graphite and squirt it into the pin where the hinge turns.

Floor Boards
If floor boards make noises then you need to secure them down better. You can also add talcum powder in the seams to lubricate boards that rub against each other.

Shut-off Valves
Check your sinks and toilets to make sure the shutoff valves are not rusty. WD-40 can help.

Shower Ceiling
If the paint is not looking so great above your shower, scrape it off, re-coat it and then use high-quality exterior-grade paint. This type of paint should take the heat and moisture better in this room.

Windows
If it is warm enough, this could be a great time to clean the windows inside and out. Be sure to check for any gaps.

Loose Handles
If any cabinet doors have loose handles, you can probably tighten them up easily with a screwdriver. Or, if the screw will not tighten, stuff a toothpick (coated with glue) into the space or use a larger screw.

Safety First!
Be sure to change your batteries to smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Outlets
Test your ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets found in the kitchen, bath or outdoors. Make sure the device trips and resets correctly.

Clothes Dryer Vent
Vacuum lint out of the vent pipe where it connects to the dryer. Wipe off lint from the dryer vent.

Drain Hoses
Inspect the hoses for the clothes washer, dishwasher and ice maker.

De-Clutter
Now could be a great to go through closets and drawers and de-clutter. Donated unused items such as housewares and clothing. Other items may be placed into your recycling bin. (You’ll need to check to see what is recyclable or not.) And, you may want to pass on some items to a friend, relative or neighbor who could use them.

Paint
If the paint on your home’s interior walls is out of date, chipped or in bad shape, think about adding a new coat.

A Big Clean
Now could be a great time to plan a thorough cleaning of your home. Wipe down walls and floors. Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures. Vacuum and mop floors. Carpets may need to be professionally cleaned.

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PROJECTS OUTSIDE THE HOME
(WHEN IT IS WARM ENOUGH!)

Check Gutters
See if any gutters are loose or have leaks.

Check Roof Shingles
Inspect for damaged shingles from the winter. Shingles that are cracked, buckled, loose or missing granules need to be replaced. (Use binoculars to check!)

Concrete Slabs
Fill any cracks with concrete crack filler or silicone caulk.

Hose Faucets
Check for freeze damage from the winter. Turn on the water and place your thumb over the opening. If you can stop the flow of water, the pipe inside the home is damaged.

Air Conditioning
Have your air conditioning serviced once it is warm. Coils should be cleaned. Interior filters should be changed regularly.

Have a Wood Deck?
Remember the wood needs to be protected with a sealant to keep in good shape.  A thorough power wash can help make the deck look ship-shape, too.

Need help with any of these home-related activities?
Contact Sibcy Cline Home Services. They are in touch with many vetted service vendors and can make recommendations to you.