Winter to Spring Home Maintenance

 Basic maintenance done at the right times of year will make your home more comfortable, make repairs easier, and save you money in the long run. As winter turns to spring, hopefully, here are some things to put on the list:
Winter

• Check your furnace filter once a month during the heating season for excess dust; you'll want to change it once or twice a year so the unit operates more efficiently. Cost: $8 to $20 each.

• Make sure your sump pump is clean and operating properly before spring rains arrive. Lift the lever on the sump to make the float go up and wait for the motor to click on. If you have a battery backup, unplug the unit and test the pump again.

• Vacuum the refrigerator condenser coils -- usually located on the bottom or on the back of the fridge. (Unplug it first, then use your vacuum's brush attachment.)

• Use your stuck-indoors time to knock off some annual fire prevention tasks. First, make sure your fire extinguishers haven't passed their expiration date. Next, replace ground fault outlet circuit interrupters that aren't working properly (when you hit the "Test" button the "Reset" should pop out; if it doesn't, you can buy a new one at a hardware store). Cost: less than $20 for a fire extinguisher and $10 to $12 for a circuit interrupter.

• You need to change batteries ($6 for two nine-volt ones) in smoke detectors and carbon-monoxide alarms twice a year. An easy way to remember: Make the first switch on the same day you reset clocks to daylight saving time (March 14 this year), and again in mid-October. At the same time, test your smoke detectors; use a smoke-in-a-can product ($9) or blow out a candle underneath them.

Spring

• Schedule an inspection and cleaning of your chimney once the heating season ends; that's when many sweeps offer a discount. Also make sure to remove fireplace ashes to prevent moisture buildup, which can damage masonry. Cost: $100 to $300, depending on the layout of your chimney.

• Inspect your home's exterior for loose siding or trim, cracks, and crumbling mortar caused by harsh winter weather, and examine your attic for any signs of leaks. If you've got siding, give it a wash using a garden hose and a solution of a third of a cup of laundry detergent per gallon of hot water. Work from the bottom up with a soft nylon brush (top down can cause stains).

• Wash and treat (or paint) wood decks to prevent cracking before barbecue season arrives. Cost: about $50 to $75 for five gallons of sealer.

• Make an appointment to get your air-conditioning system professionally inspected and adjusted before the temperature hits 80°. Cost: $75 to $175 per year for an HVAC service contract.

• Before watering season, check pop-up sprinkler systems for leaks or clogs and be sure the spray isn't going where it shouldn't. 

Read about what you should do the rest of the year here.