Cleaning out your gutters each spring is one of the most important tasks a homeowner can complete. Each fall and winter, storms and fallen leaves can cause clogs that lead to exterior overflows. Worse yet, clogged gutters can lead to costly water damage inside the home, so get cleaning! If you clean your own gutters, be sure to use a scoop, or wear gloves if you plan to use your hands. This is to ensure you don’t cut yourself on any exposed, jagged metal.
Winter weather can really take a toll on your home’s paint job. Get your house looking its best with a fresh coat of paint, or spruce up weathered areas like trim or shutters. This is also a great time of year to try out a new color. For example, if you’ve been planning on adding a pop of color with a red mailbox or bright front door design, spring is the perfect time to get that project completed.
Snow and other severe weather can leave concrete or wood structures looking drab and dirty. Use a pressure washer to quickly and easily rinse outdoor surfaces and keep everything clean and tidy. Pressure washers are available for rent at many home improvement stores.
Here are some of the outdoor areas that can benefit from a seasonal pressure wash: •
Decks and patios
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Driveways and walkways
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Pergolas
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Cabanas
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Gazebos
After you’ve pressure washed wood structures like decks or patio gazebos, it’s time to restain. Staining helps protect outdoor wood from fungus, mildew stains, or dirt patches that can make your deck look weathered or old. You can choose from a variety of stain colors and finishes to go with your outdoor design scheme. Shop around for a stain with a protective finish to repel water as well as UV rays.
At the start of winter, you likely put away any outdoor cushions or stored patio furniture using protective covers. If you have any outdoor chairs, dining sets, or porch gliders that stayed outside this winter, now’s the time to do a little upkeep. If your furniture is too delicate for pressure washing, simply use a soapy rag on any dusty or grimy areas.
If spring sprung a little early this year, you’ll need to tackle any weeds taking over your lawn or garden. This is also a good time to trim any unruly shrubs or trees in order to make way for spring’s new growth. Also, look into seasonal planting calendars to start planning this year’s garden.
It sounds like a no-brainer, but during outdoor spring cleaning, take a long look at your yard. Do you see any snow damage, such as compacted mulch or grass? Have a hammock that needs to be restrung? Does your grill need a new cover after winter’s inclement weather? Make a list of little tasks that need to be completed as the weather warms up.
Spring is an excellent time to re-seed the yard in time for seasonal growth: 1.
Clean up any winter debris like leaves, stones, and sticks. This will not only clean the yard, but make it easier for full grass growth to occur.
2.
Dethatch the lawn if it wasn’t already done in the fall. Some thatch can be beneficial to growth, so be sure to dethatch only when a half-inch or more has accumulated.
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Aerate the lawn. Use a core aerator to alleviate soil compaction and promote better growth.
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