It’s been said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That’s doubly true when it comes to home maintenance. Take an hour this weekend to do some basic spring cleaning and maintenance.

You could save big by avoiding costly repairs or uncomfortable breakdowns in the warm months ahead. Here’s a PDF checklist to help you get started: GreenSavers Spring Home Performance Checklist. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 541.330.8767 if you have questions.

Inside Your Home

Kitchen

We recommend cleaning the filters on the hood above your stove and oven, especially if you cook with natural gas. Over time, grease will stick to the filters and dramatically reduce air flow.

A good rule of thumb - If you turn on the fan and release a tissue underneath it, the fan should be strong enough to pull the tissue against the filter and hold it there. If the tissue falls, then you don’t have enough air flow.

Here’s how to clean the filters:

1. Fill a sink or bucket with boiling water;

2. Add de-greasing dish soap and ¼ cup baking soda;

3. Soak then filters for 10-minutes,

4. Give them a good scrub; then

5. Rinse, dry, and replace!

Why clean the filters above your stove?

It’s important if you have a gas stove. Burning natural gas produces carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless gas. You need proper ventilation to protect your household from CO poisoning, which has the potential to cause sudden illness or death.

While you’re in your kitchen, take a few minutes to vacuum the coils on the back of your refrigerator. Most refrigerators aren’t cheap to operate, and this can significantly improve the efficiency and performance.

Attic

Search for signs that indicate insects and critters have colonized. Also, search aggressively for mold, which often takes the form of gray or black blotches that look like staining.

Proper insulation and good ventilation will deter mold growth in the attic, so take action now to prevent the problem from developing in the warmer months ahead.

Bathroom

This is a good time to run the vacuum on your bath fan. Accumulated dust will slow down your fan and reduce air flow over time. Without enough air flow, you’re more likely to get mold and mildew. Be sure to check for areas of worn or missing grout, as these can lead to more serious water damage over time.

Basement

Your basement—prone to dampness and insects—has to be part of any thorough seasonal maintenance effort. Dampness suggests higher than normal relative humidity, inadequate ventilation and the need for a dehumidifier.

Check the base of poured-concrete walls. Cracks typically start from the bottom up, not the top down. If there’s water penetration, it’ll show at the bottom of those cracks.

Leaks

Spring is a good time to check for leaky faucets, clogged drains and sweaty pipes. Check under the kitchen and bathroom sink to make sure connections on pipes and hoses are properly sealed, and look for any wetness around the dishwasher that could signal an existing or potential problem.

The same is true of your laundry room. Check washing machine hoses for cracks, bulges or dampness. You’ll also want to check your water heater, which could show sign of corrosion and leaks. Make sure your outdoor water systems—pipes, faucets, and in-ground sprinkler systems—are in working order.

Outside Your Home

Heat Pump / AC

Now is the time to make sure your heat pump or AC is in good working order for the warmer months ahead. If you’d like GreenSavers to come out for a 15-point Inspection and Tune-Up, give us a call at 541.330.8767.

Here are the basics if you’d like to do your own tune-up:

• Change the filter;

• Check hose connections for leaks, and make sure the drain pans are draining freely;

• Vacuum any dust that settled on the unit and connections, and clear away any nearby vegetation.

• Finally, be sure to apply lubrication as needed to the fan, motor, and bearings.

Exterior walls and foundation

Whether you have wood siding, stucco or brick, look for trouble spots, especially under eaves and near gutter downspouts. Water stains normally indicate that your gutters are not draining properly.

If you have wood siding, check for openings, damaged areas or knots that have popped out. As you’re walking around the perimeter of your home, be sure to examine the foundation from top to bottom for masonry cracks.

Roof

No need to climb up there. Binoculars help, but with a keen eye, you can spot most trouble. Do you see any shingle-shift, suggesting that fasteners may have failed and need replacing? Any cracked or missing shingles? What about nail-pops? This is when nails push the tabs of shingles up, allowing water to get in where the nails are coming through.

All of this is important to address so that you keep your home free of mold and mildew. You’ll also extend the life of your roof, saving you money in the long run.

Chimney

If you have a masonry chimney, check the joints between bricks or stones. Have any fallen out? Is there vegetation growing out of them? Each signals water infiltration. Also, look for efflorescence, a white calcium-like deposit that indicates your masonry joints are no longer repelling water but absorbing it.

Windows

Leakage around windows will admit warm summer air and let cooled indoor air escape, so be sure to check that any caulking and weather stripping you have in place has remained intact. A tight seal is the first line of defense against air and water.

If you see condensation inside the glass on double- or triple-triple windows during the winter months, the weather seal has most likely been compromised, and either the glass or the window may need to be replaced.

If you want to clean your windows, use a store-bought or homemade window cleaner (one cup rubbing alcohol, one cup water and a tablespoon of white wine vinegar) and either a squeegee or a soft cloth. Never use abrasive cleaners or a high-pressure spray washer.