Spring home maintenance checklist: what to check

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Snow, ice, freeze-and-thaw cycles and months of a closed-up house all leave marks. Spring is the time to walk around, look closely and fix the small things while the weather is mild and contractors are not yet booked solid with summer AC calls.

Most of this list is looking, not fixing. Plan on a Saturday morning for the walk-around and a few short sessions over the next couple of weeks for the jobs you find. Tick each item as you go and the page will remember where you left off.

Outside

Look over the roof from the ground Use binoculars or your phone camera to spot missing, curled or lifted shingles and bent flashing. Call a roofer rather than climbing up.
Clean the gutters and check the downspouts Winter debris causes overflow at the first big spring storm. See how to clean gutters safely.
Make sure downspouts empty away from the house Water dumped next to the foundation finds its way into basements and crawl spaces.
Walk the foundation and siding Look for new cracks, peeling paint, gaps around pipes and wires, and wood that feels soft.
Check the deck, steps and railings Push on railings and look for loose or popped boards. Here is how to fix a loose deck board.
Turn on the outdoor faucets and watch for leaks A pipe that froze over winter may only leak once water flows. See outdoor faucet leaking.
Run each sprinkler zone once Look for broken heads, geysers and soggy spots. Our guide covers how to fix a broken sprinkler head.
Check gates and fences Frost heave can shift posts. Here is how to fix a sagging gate.
Trim plants back from the house Branches and shrubs touching siding hold moisture and give insects a bridge inside.

Heating and cooling

Check the HVAC filter and replace it if dirty The Department of Energy suggests checking monthly. Pollen season loads filters fast. See how to change your HVAC filter.
Clear leaves and debris from around the outdoor AC unit The unit needs open air to shed heat. Turn it off at the thermostat before you clean around it.
Test the AC before the first hot day Run it for 15 minutes on a mild day. If it struggles, you have time to book service. See AC not cooling.
Schedule an AC tune-up if it is due Follow your system maker's recommended service schedule. Spring appointments are easier to get.
Switch ceiling fans to counterclockwise The Department of Energy notes this pushes air down for a cooling breeze in warm months.
Check the thermostat batteries and schedule Update your program for longer days. If it acts up, see thermostat not working.

Plumbing

Look under every sink with a flashlight Feel the pipes and cabinet floor for dampness, stains or swollen wood.
Listen for running toilets A toilet that refills on its own wastes water all day. See fix a running toilet.
Fix dripping faucets Usually a worn washer or cartridge. See fix a leaky faucet.
Check the floor around the water heater Rust, puddles or moisture at the base are worth a call to a plumber.
Inspect tub and shower caulk Cracked or moldy caulk lets water behind the wall. Here is how to recaulk a bathtub.
Confirm you know where the main water shutoff is Spring storms and thaws bring leaks. Use our guide to find your water shutoff.

Windows and doors

Wash windows and check the screens Patch or replace torn screens before bugs arrive.
Open and close every window once Find the stuck ones now. See fix a sticking window.
Check weatherstripping on exterior doors Worn strips let in warm air and bugs all summer.
Make sure doors close and latch Seasonal swelling can throw them off. See door won't latch.

Safety

Test every smoke alarm The U.S. Fire Administration says to test smoke alarms monthly and replace the whole alarm 10 years from its manufacture date.
Test carbon monoxide alarms The CPSC suggests testing monthly. Replace the alarm on the schedule printed on it or in its manual.
Clean the dryer lint screen and check the vent flap outside USFA advises cleaning the lint filter every load and making sure the outdoor flap opens when the dryer runs.
Check that outdoor and bathroom GFCI outlets trip and reset Press Test, then Reset. If one will not reset, see GFCI outlet not working.
Store spring cleaning chemicals safely Keep them in original containers, closed, and out of reach of children and pets.

Want a nudge next year? Add free seasonal reminders to your phone with our maintenance calendar. If your walk-around turned up a roof, water heater or AC job you would rather hand off, we can match you with a local pro for free.

Common questions

When should I do spring maintenance?

Once the last hard freeze has passed in your area and you can work outside comfortably. In warm states that may be late February; in colder ones it may be May.

Do I need to get on the roof to check it?

No. Look from the ground with binoculars or take photos with your phone zoomed in. Leave walking on the roof, especially a steep or high one, to a roofer.

How often should I change my HVAC filter in spring?

Check it about once a month and replace it when it looks dirty or as the filter or system maker recommends. Pollen season can clog filters faster than usual.