Your essential spring home maintenance checklist

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A clean and sound property exterior does wonders for a house’s kerb appeal and value. Regular upkeep, odd jobs and homecare repairs also help protect a home’s structure, while safeguarding those within. As the weather warms up, here are six essential tasks to include on your house maintenance checklist.

Clear outdoor paths and driveways

Winter is a prime time for weeds to spring up in cracks of garden paths, driveways and pavers. Leaving them can result in bigger issues, such as potholes. Essential maintenance jobs for your homecare to-do list? Get rid of weeds manually by hand or with a suitable weedkiller, use a water blaster to remove mould and moss, and repair any cracks.

Get cracking on any deck repairs

Damp, dirt and leaves take their toll on outdoor surfaces around the home during the colder months. To bring your backyard back to its best, replace damaged timber decking boards and upgrade loose fasteners. Sweep decks thoroughly, scrub with a deck cleaner, rinse, then apply a wood stain or oil. To clean stone patios, give the area a good scrub with a pH-neutral soap, then rinse with water.

Maintain and repair outdoor steps

Giving outdoor steps a once-over will improve their appearance and ensure they’re safe to use for your household members and any visitors. Creaking or cracking treads or balusters can lead to rot, and therefore safety risks. Metal and concrete stairs can be waterblasted to remove dirt and debris, while timber requires the same maintenance as decking (see above).

Clean gutters of debris

Avoid expensive homecare repairs and play it safe by cleaning gutters and maintaining them on the regular. Clogged gutters around your property can cause issues to a home’s structural integrity, rot to fascia boards, seepage into your roof area and a fire hazard. Choose a dry, sunny day to don safety gloves and set up a secure ladder to empty your house’s gutters of any debris. Install gutter guards to make the job easier.

Tip: For safety, choose a ladder with non-slip feet and maintain three points of contact (such as one hand and both feet) at all times.

Maintain outdoor lights

Whether they’re outside in the garden or at the front door, outdoor lights need to be maintained biannually. Insects, dust and dirt can all play havoc with your home’s electrics, plus exposed wires are dangerous and must be fixed by a licensed electrician. If lights are wired in, turn off light switches and circuit breakers. Replace blown globes, and wipe down lenses and light exteriors. Remove encroaching plant growth and ensure cables are covered and secured. Remember: only lights with an Ingress Protection (IP) rating are suitable for outdoor use.

Wipe down home security cameras and equipment

To avoid close-ups of creepy crawlies on your home security cameras, a regular clean is a key part of your regular house maintenance. First unplug or switch off any wired equipment. Avoid cleaning with a brush or broom, as this can scratch lenses or dislodge fixtures. Instead, use a secure ladder and wipe down the equipment with a damp cloth. Get a licensed electrician to replace any damaged cables.

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Photo Credit: Getty Images, Bunnings