After a long cold winter, there are a few things you can do to make your home ready for the upcoming warm weather.

Clean Exterior Windows and Screens

Windows get that dusty look after a long winter and screens can be full of dust, and you don’t want that dust blowing in your home.

Using a squeegee or newspaper can get the windows sparkling clean without leaving streaks. While cleaning the windows, check the caulking around the window. If there are cracks or holes in the caulking, you should re-caulk it.

Take the screens off and use the garden hose to get the dust and dirt off. Check the screens for holes or tears. Many times this damage can be repaired with a window screen patching kit. Otherwise, you might have to replace the screen.

Change or Clean Filters

The various filters in our homes have been filtering dust all winter and should be cleaned. You will find filters on the furnace, air conditioner, humidifier, and in the ventilation fan in the kitchen. Make sure to clean the dryer vent, because a clogged dryer vent is a fire hazard.

Reverse the Ceiling Fan Direction

This is a great little trick. You can reverse the direction of the blades on a ceiling fan with the flick of a switch that can help keep you cooler.

During the summer, you should click that switch down. This causes the blades to rotate counterclockwise. This creates a downdraft causing cool air to be picked up off the floor to circulate. For the winter, push the switch up, which causes the blades to rotate clockwise, which causes an updraft.

Make sure the blades are not moving when you change directions.

Get Your Backyard Ready For Summer

This is a good time to hose off and clean the patio tables and chairs. If there is any rust, you can sand and repaint that area. Check the kid’s swing set for any sharp edges, exposed screws or broken parts.

There’s a good chance you didn’t use your BBQ all winter. Thoroughly clean the outside and the inside. Check the burners for clogs and make sure all of the hoses are in good shape and securely connected.

Check the Sprinkler System

Turn on the sprinkler system and make sure there are no leaks in the pipes or at the turn-off. Test each zone and make sure that all of the sprinkler heads are working properly.

Changing seasons can require special steps to be taken around your home. Use the above tips to make sure your home is prepared.

Guest Post By:

Emma Sturgis
FREELANCE WRITER