By: Serge Guenette

Late Spring Chores

TAGS: LATE SPRING CHORES

Now that we’ve had our first long weekend of the season, you’ve got some work to do to set you and your home up for summer.

If you tackled your spring maintenance list early, good on you! But if you’re like most of us, some of those checklist items have slipped through.

So, here’s your reminder and, of course, there’s no need to do them all at once — a few at a time will make it seem less of a chore.

• Shut down, drain and clean your furnace humidifier.


• Have fireplaces, wood stoves and chimneys cleaned and serviced.


• Turn on the power to your air conditioner and check the system. Wait 24 hours before trying to cool your home. Clean or replace the filter and have your air conditioner serviced every 2-3 years.


• Check your dehumidifier and drain. Clean if needed.


• Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and replace batteries if you didn’t when the clocks changed.


• Test well water quality if you’re on a well. (You should test for bacteria every 6 months.)


• Clean windows, screens and hardware. Replace storm windows with screens.


• Check your foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture.


• Re-level any steps or decks that moved due to frost or settling.


• Check for and seal any holes in your exterior cladding that could allow in small pests.


• Clear your eavestroughs and downspouts of debris and check for loose connections. (This is one of those chores that should be done regularly. You’d be surprised how often eavestroughs get clogged.)


• Repair and paint fences where needed, but make sure wood fences are dry before tackling.


• Start your spring landscape maintenance; fertilize young trees if needed.