Ah, spring. That wonderful time of year when life begins anew. Birds are chirping. Plants are blooming. And, yes, dirt is gathering. You may be prepped to do some light surface cleaning, but your home needs a bit more love than that to save you from costly future expenses.

Here, are six things you should definitely put on your spring cleaning to-do list.

1. HVAC maintenance

You may not need to use your HVAC system much in the spring, but it’s one of the first things you should check as you’re prepping for warmer weather:

● Clear leaves, dirt or other debris from around the outside unit.

● Replace any filters and clean your ducts. If the system is blocked (either inside or out), it may not be able to reach your desired temperature or it may have to work harder than it needs to.

● Turn on the system. Check to see if cool air is coming through the vents and if everything is functioning normally.

● If you know how, make sure the unit has proper refrigerant levels and that fan motors and blades are in good condition.

● You can also check the compressor, tubing, control box and hoses, as those are also components that experience common problems. Most of us will need a professional for this level of mystical maintenance.

2. Lawn care

Ready to get that landscaping back to its glorious green? Take the following steps to avoid more work later in the season:

● Rake up all the lingering leaves and dead grass blades. This will help loosen grass clumps that could prevent new growth.

● Dig out all the weeds in your flower beds and other areas. Apply a broadleaf weed killer if necessary.

● Before mowing, clean off the mower and brush leftover grass from the undercarriage. Change the oil and fill the gas tank. If the mower won’t start, let it sit in the sun for an hour or two to warm up.

● Wait until the ground is dry and the grass is long enough to cut before you mow. Change the mower to its highest setting to allow the roots to grow deeper.

● Around three weeks after the grass starts greening, apply fertilizer. Be aware that if you fertilize too early, you may activate weeds before the grass has had a chance to take root.

3. Sprinkler care

When temperatures rise and the ground is no longer frozen, you should get a head start on proper sprinkler care:

● Clean your sprinkler heads. Make sure they’re clear of overgrown grass or dirt and scrub them clean with an old toothbrush.

● Check the control panel to make sure it has power and that all the settings are still accurate.

● Open the system’s main water valve. It’s best to do this slowly to avoid uncontrolled water flow (which can lead to damaged pipes).

● Manually activate each station or zone to ensure it’s working properly. If there’s an area of low pressure, you may have a broken pipe.

● Adjust sprinkler heads as needed for the right coverage. Replace any broken heads (if you’re lucky, all will be in working order).

4. Gutter and downspout clearing

Gutters and downspouts help water flow away from your home’s roof and foundation, so it’s essential to keep them clean so they can do their job:

● Use a ladder that will help you reach your gutters. Be sure your ladder is an appropriate length and planted on flat, stable ground. You may want to have a second person stabilize the bottom of the ladder for you.

● You’ll have to climb up and down the ladder many times as you work your way along the gutter line, so be sure that’s a task you’re able to handle. And be careful not to reach too far beyond the ladder, as you could lose your balance and fall.

● Determine your plan of action for clearing gutter debris. There are several methods that are popular:

— The first is to lay a plastic tarp or drop cloth below the gutter, then climb the ladder, scoop up the debris and drop it on the tarp below. The tarp can then be gathered up and emptied into the garbage.

— The second method involves a plastic work bucket with a metal handle. Cut the handle in the middle, then bend the ends into hook shapes that can attach to the gutter. You’ll scoop and empty debris into the bucket and scoot it down along the gutter as you work.

● Start clearing the downspouts by removing the horizontal extensions at the bottom and clearing any debris.

● Climb your ladder with hose in hand, place the hose in the top opening of the downspout and turn on the water to flush the downspout.

● Don’t forget to reattach the extensions when you’re done.

5. Window cleaning

Make sure you get a clear view of all that springtime beauty by tackling some seasonal window cleaning:

● Wipe away any cobwebs or dust around the frames using a damp cloth or brush. This will prevent any of that loose dust from attaching to the window panes after you’ve cleaned them.

● Remove the screens and place them along the side of your house. Make sure to note which screen came from which window so you aren’t left guessing when you put them back.

● Using a cleaning mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar (or the commercial window-cleaning product of your choice), scrub the screens with a non-abrasive brush.

● Rinse the screens with a water hose and leave them to dry as you work on the windows.

● Wash the window panes with the same cleaning solution. Wet a sponge or brush with the solution and clean the panes, both inside and outside.

● Use a squeegee or cloth to wipe away the solution. Wipe one way (either vertically or horizontally) on the inside and the opposite way on the outside. This will help you know which side needs work when you spot streaks.

● Replace your screens once they dry and enjoy your newly unobstructed view.

6. Maid service

Does the thought of deep cleaning inside your home leave you wishing winter would last longer? Please, don’t jinx the rest of us. Instead, you may want to consider using a maid service:

● You generally only do spring cleaning once a year (if that), but a professional service does it all the time. They’ll be able to do the same work much more efficiently.

● A maid service will save you bundles of time.

● If housework is physically difficult for you, a maid service is a great alternative.

● You won’t have to buy all the extra cleaning supplies you’d otherwise spend money on if you were to tackle the job yourself. Definitely something to consider.

Looking for a way to take 100% of the stress out of spring cleaning? A maid service isn’t the only thing you may want to outsource. You can hire a professional to help you with any of the items on this list. Find qualified pros in your area to help with any of your needs at KSL Services.

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