Spring Home Maintenance Guide

Examining Three Areas of Your Home that Need Care as Winter Departs

HWA Home Warranty of America® would like to remind you that springtime is a critical time for home upkeep. When the winter frost finally thaws, making a little time for spring maintenance can help you save energy, avoid hassle and extend the lives of some of your home's most valuable components and systems.

A/C System

At the beginning of the season, give your cooling system a test run to make sure it's working properly – even if it's still a little chilly out. If you wait until the hot weather arrives to perform this simple spring home maintenance task, you could be left broiling in the heat while waiting for help during the busiest A/C repair season.

While you're getting in the spring cleaning spirit, consider having your home's ductwork professionally cleaned. This service can strip away accumulated dust, allergens and other irritants that are especially bothersome to people with respiratory conditions or allergies. Your indoor air will smell fresher, too!

Any good home maintenance guide will tell you to periodically examine your A/C unit's hose connections for leaks. If you see any dripping or puddles, it's time to call out a professional HVAC technician to take a look.

In general, you should always call an experienced HVAC technician to perform an annual maintenance on your unit. Regular maintenance can extend the life of your system and help prevent breakdowns.

Roofs and Gutters

Cleaning your gutters is a critical spring maintenance task. Clogs produced by built-up sediment, leaves, twigs, and other debris can prevent proper drainage. This can cause your gutters to overflow during heavy rains, which can damage your roof and contribute to the formation of leaks.

HWA also reminds you to carefully inspect your roof while cleaning the gutters, looking for signs of leaks, missing shingles, or other indications of damage. These problems should be addressed by a roofing professional as quickly as possible, because the water damage they allow can lead to some of the messiest and most expensive home repairs.

If you have a functioning fireplace, be sure to have your chimney inspected, cleaned, and maintained as part of your spring maintenance. Every time you used your fireplace during the winter, you contributed to the buildup of a residue called creosote, which is highly flammable.

Exterior Walls and Windows

The perfect time to reapply exterior caulking around windows and weather stripping around doors is during your spring home maintenance. Leaving these gaps open will keep your air conditioning bills higher.

As the snow melts and the dead leaves biodegrade, you may see a buildup of dirt, mold and other stains on your home exterior. Take some time to power wash this sediment away to avoid corrosion and permanent staining.

HWA Has You Covered

A home warranty from HWA protects your budget and your peace of mind against the unexpected expenses of inevitable home repairs. Whether you're buying, selling, or already in your home, we have a plan to fit your needs!

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