What to Do to Prepare Your Home for Spring

By: Chris Petry

The Spring Equinox, and therefore, the first day of Spring is this Friday, March 20th. Last weekend, we were treated to temperatures in the low 70s and bright blue sunny skies. Then, of course, to usher in the start of the work week, Old Man Winter sucker punched the sun and dumped another 2 inches of the cold, fluffy, white stuff on the lawn. I actually went to the movies to see the newest A24 paranormal thriller, Undertone on Monday evening and exited the theatre to a blizzard-like snow squall. This time of year, the weather does what it wants to do and we’re just in for the ride.
 
Despite the unpredictability of Spring weather in Northeastern, OH, homeowners should definitely start preparing for the big seasonal change on the way. So, what exactly SHOULD you do?


 
Declutter- Everyone knows the first, and arguably most important, part of the Spring-Cleaning season is the decluttering of one’s living and storage spaces. It’s amazing how much stuff piles up overtime, even if you’re a subscriber to a more minimalist philosophy. It’s even easier to accumulate stuff over the wintertime. Mostly because no one wants to embark on a 30ft journey to the rubbish bin at 8 p.m. when there’s three feet of snow on the ground. So, what sort of decluttering are we talking here?
 

• Go through closets, dressers, wardrobes and footlockers. Gather up gently-used clothing and shoes that no longer fit you or your style and place them in trash bags or large canvas totes that can be easily transported to your local Planet Aid donation bin, Goodwill or Salvation Army. Not only will it free up space where you most need it, it will also be put to good use. If your items are tattered, frayed, soiled or otherwise ready for the great landfill in the sky, now would be the time to send them on their way.

 

• Go through seasonal decorations, blankets, sheets, tools, building supplies, furniture, outdated electronics and other items that tend to end up stored in the basement, attic, or workshop and commit to donating them, selling them to a pawn or consignment shop or tossing them to the curb.

 

• Don’t forget to inspect the pantry and fridge for outdated food items. Chances are, if you haven’t eaten that can of Chef Boyardee ravioli by now, three years after its expiration date, you’re probably not going to.

 

• Find better storage solutions for the stuff you need or want to keep. Alphabetize your book collection and purchase drawer dividers, desktop and closet organizers to make things easier to access or locate. Put all that stuff you have piled up in the garage on hooks or into bins and on a heavy-duty rust proof shelving unit. Take advantage of all the empty space under the bed by purchasing underbed storage tubs or drawers, much to the cat’s chagrin.

 
Clean the gutters- Yes, it’s time to pull out the ladder and give those gutters yet another cleaning. Your leaves, your neighbor’s leaves, leaves and twigs carried by birds… it’s all sitting in your gutter. It snowed the entire month of January and most of February and someone random leaves have still ended up on my front porch. Luckily, leaves on the front porch don’t affect drainage. If you have a fear of heights, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a kindly neighbor or a local professional.


 
Replace the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors- How long has it been since you’ve struck the test button on your smoke or carbon monoxide detectors? Can’t remember? Not good. Batteries should be replaced at least once a year, no matter what. Some people, to make it easier to remember, do it every time change. So replace in October then again in March.


 
Flip the switch on your ceiling fans to run counter clockwise- I may not be able to see it but show of hands anyway. How many of you reading right now, didn’t know that fans are supposed to spin one direction in winter and another in the summer? A fan spinning clockwise is perfect for winter because it pulls cool air upward (cool air naturally likes to sink) and recycles warmer air downward (warm air likes to rise). In the summer, counter clockwise rotation aids in the natural cycling of the air based on its temperature. Cool air is pushed downward and hot air is pulled upward, away from you.
 


Start working on your curb appeal- That’s right. Lawn season kicks off soon and you’ll want to get a head start by purchasing fresh oil and gas, testing or replacing rechargeable batteries, purchasing mulch, gravel and replacement gardening tools and freeing your yard of clutter and debris. Make fence repairs, start cutting and stacking new firewood and touch up exterior painted surfaces as warm days permit.


 
Need further tips on how to prepare your home and lawn for the warmer seasons ahead, especially if you plan to sell? Speak to an agent from your local branch of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stouffer Realty, today.