Tips to get your home ready for spring

1. Clean out your gutters

April showers may bring May flowers, but they’re also really hard on your gutters. Gutters can become clogged with leaves and debris during the winter months, so it’s important to clean them out and check your downspouts before the rainy season hits to avoid flooding.

2. Tune up your A/C

Now is a good time to tune up your air conditioner to prepare for increasing temperatures. Have someone come out and do a once-over on the unit to make sure it’s in proper working order and safe to use in the coming months. A tuneup generally consists of cleaning, calibrating, checking for leaks and ensuring your refrigerant levels are correct. If you have a home warranty, you may be eligible for discounted tuneups.

3. Keep allergens out

Allergy sufferers may be dreading the coming season and all the dust, mold and pollen it brings. You can keep indoor allergens at bay by decluttering your home, keeping it clean and replacing your air filters. A clogged filter cannot do its job efficiently. You should replace furnace air filters every three months.

4. Check your foundation

If your house has a crawl space, you’ll have vents along the foundation that may need to be cleared of leaves and other debris. Cleaning these vents will help increase air circulation and prevent moisture that can cause mold. Keeping them in good condition also helps ensure pests aren’t sneaking under your house. If you don’t have a crawl space, it’s still a good idea to walk around your property and check for any cracks or damage to your foundation. Once the snow and ice begin to thaw and you’ve raked leaves and debris away, you’ll have a clearer view of your home to do this inspection.

7. Get your lawn and garden ready

It’s not too early to begin to prep your yard for spring. In fact, early in the season — or even before the season — can be a great time to get your lawn ready. Consider cleaning up winter debris, adding fertilizer, getting your trees trimmed, pruning shrubs and doing other landscaping. You can do this yourself or hire a lawn care company to do the heavy lifting.

5. Check your windows and screens

As with your foundation, you’ll want to check the seals and screens on your windows for any damage. Reseal any cracks to keep your home energy-efficient and prevent cool air from escaping and unwanted warm air from getting in. If you like keeping your windows open in spring for fresh air, you’ll want to make sure those screens are in good condition to prevent any flying pests from sneaking into your home through rips and tears.

6. Invest in a smart thermostat

If you’re searching for ways to cut down your energy bill, a smart thermostat can help. With a programmable thermostat, you can keep the A/C down while you’re away from home and schedule it to turn back on automatically before you arrive so your house is cool when you walk in. Many security systems now include smart thermostats in their equipment options. You can also buy smart thermostats from major retailers, including Amazon.