Many home maintenance projects wait for spring weather to get started.  If spring ever arrives in the Great Northwest, be ready with your preventative maintenance projects.  Keep home systems and structures in good condition now and save money on emergency repairs later on.  Here are eight suggestions for spring maintenance projects:

Tip #1:

Clean and seal wooden decks.  Ideally, three consecutive warm, sunny days will be needed (it can happen!).  Day 1, dry out the deck.  Day 2, apply deck cleaner, scrub and rinse the deck.  Let dry 24 hours.  Day 3, apply deck sealer and keep your deck water-repellent, and attractive for those summer barbecues.

Tip #2:

Start looking for a painter now for summer painting.  Have your home painting project scheduled while you can still find a painter to do it.

Tip #3:

Have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean chimneys.  Taking care of this task in the spring or summer allows plenty of time for repairs before the next heating season.  It’s also easier to schedule a sweep since spring is the off-season.

Tip #4:

Clean lint from the clothes dryer vent system, from the dryer to the exterior vent cap.  Because lint is incredibly flammable, the lint build up can be a fire hazard.  If a gas clothes dryer is not properly vented, it can force deadly carbon monoxide back into the home.

Tip #5:

Change air conditioner filters.  Consider using a pleated media filter for better dust trapping.  Be sure to clear overgrowth and weeds away from outdoor air conditioning unit—blocked air flow could cause the unit to fail.

Tip #6:

Clean gutters.  For clogged downspouts, try using barbecue tongs to reach in and remove clogs.  Repair loose gutter nails and purchase extenders or trays to route water away from the foundation of your home.

Tip #7:

If your washer is on an upper floor, inspect the hoses and shut off valve.  Consider having a plumber inspect and install new hoses to be sure that a broken hose and the resulting flood won’t require remodeling of the downstairs of your house.  Flooding from broken washer houses is one of the main insurance claims from homeowners.

Tip#8:

Install that attic fan you talk about each year during the July heat wave!