April (Spring) Maintenance Tasks

Inspect screens (both house and vent screens to attic or crawl space) for tears and bent frames and clean them with a vacuum.

Clean window screens. Lay them flat on a picnic table or a pair of sawhorses and scrub them with a soft bristle brush and a mild detergent solution. Rinse with a garden hose and allow it to dry thoroughly. Clean the inside of the windowsills.

Inspect outdoor structures like decks, pergolas, and trellises for deterioration --especially signs of rot. Use a small awl or screwdriver to probe posts, railings and windowsills for soft spots. If you find any, plan to replace or repair them when the weather turns fair.


Winter settling of your home has occurred. Inspect around windows, doors and check the foundation. Caulk any open joints.

Inspect the crawl space or basement after rains for water accumulation or excessive moisture. Look for signs of water damage on the sub floor and joists beneath bathrooms, the kitchen and laundry. Find and fix leaks now or pay the price later.

Shut off the water to the washing machine, remove the water supply hoses and examine them and the washers. Replace worn and damaged ones.

Use a spray lubricant to oil the rollers and pivot points on your garage doors. Do not use WD-40, but 3-in-1-type oil is best.

Winter is over. Turn off the water supply (and flip the switch if supplied) to your whole-house humidifier.