It’s that time of year again! Aside from setting your clocks one hour forward this Sunday (and sadly losing one hour of sleep), Daylight Saving is a perfect excuse to tackle some of those often neglected, but vital home maintenance to-dos.
Here are some of the top home maintenance tasks you may want to cross off your to-do list this weekend.
1. Inspect and Replace Batteries
Inspect and replace batteries in your flashlights, remote controls and most importantly, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Test your smoke detector to ensure that it is properly working. Remember that it’s not enough to merely press the “Test Button.” We recently debunked that popular smoke detector myth.
2. Inspect and Replace Light Bulbs
Don’t be stuck in the dark this spring. Inspect all light bulbs throughout the house and replace any duds.
Want to save energy and money this year? Consider switching to energy efficient light bulbs, such as LED and fluorescent, which last 12 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs and use only one-fifth of the energy.
3. Inspect and Seal Leaks
To ensure your house is not losing any warm or cold air, check for air leaks. If you find a leak, have it sealed immediately. Common areas for air leaks to occur are windows, doors, ducts and pipes.
4. Clean Household Appliances
Keeping household appliances clean is not just important for vanity reasons, it’s also a safety concern. Regularly cleaning household appliances prevents bacteria and mold build-up, reduces the risk of electrical fires and keeps them running smoothly and efficiently.
5. Get Rid of Expired Food, Medicine and Cosmetics
Cleaning out your pantry and medicine cabinet are an easy way to avoid accidentally consuming expired food or medications. Additionally, this simple task will help keep your cabinets clutter-free!
6. Flip and/or Rotate Your Mattress
There’s nothing better than crawling into a comfortable bed after a long day. Minimize wear, help maintain support and extend the life of your mattress by flipping and rotating it every few months.
7. Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Clean out your gutters and clear them of any leaves and debris that piled up over winter. If you need some guidance on how to properly clean out your gutters, make sure to check out our step-by-step gutter maintenance guide.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our 2015 Home Maintenance Calendar, so you can keep your home in tip-top shape year round.