Spring means more than showers and flowers. Make a fresh start with the season by identifying and finishing any nagging repairs to get them off your spring repair checklist before summer. With a focus on heating, cooling, and plumbing projects, you can be ready for a summer-long vacation free from repair worries.
Gutter Check
Loose, leaky or plugged gutters can lead to drainage problems in basements and crawl spaces. Making a visual inspection can verify that water is flowing away from the house rather than towards the foundation.
Slow Drainage
A frequent, yet irritating spring problem is slow drainage in showers and floor drains. Drainage issues can indicate that roots have grown into drain lines or pipes. Obstructions may also occur due to buildup from clogs that developed over the winter months. Eliminate sources of standing water early, before potentially-dangerous mosquitos make themselves at home.
Fractured Pipes
Pipes may develop fractures during the winter that are not noticeable until spring. Freezing winter weather may have caused pipes to fill with frozen water and crack. Small fissures may grow as the warmer weather cause pipes to expand. Pipe maintenance should be on your project list if you can use your finger to stop the flow of water from outside faucets or water usage has increased for no apparent reason.
Air Conditioner Maintenance
Spring is a great time to schedule annual air conditioning service to prepare for the summer’s sizzling heat. Regular maintenance can save money and decrease energy consumption by up to 15%. Outdoor air conditioner coils can become obstructed, particularly in dusty environments or when located near foliage or dryer vents. Bent evaporator and condenser coil fins block airflow, while clogged filters allow air filled with dirt to pass through to the evaporator coil, decreasing its ability to absorb heat.
Leaks, Sweat, and Clogs
Spring provides a fresh opportunity to determine whether leaky faucets, sweaty pipes, and clogged drains need to be added to your spring repair checklist. Check beneath sinks in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms to ensure hoses and pipes are sealed properly. Check for dampness around dishwashers and washing machines that could signal problems and take a close look around water heaters for signs of corrosion or wetness.
Heat Pump Inspection
The Department of Energy recommends that a professional technician service your home’s heat pump at least annually. Technicians often inspect and repair the following during maintenance visits:
- Coil, filter, duct, and blower obstructions
- Duct leakage
- Thermostat operations
- Electronic control and terminal connections
- Motor lubrication
- Belt tightness and wear
To conserve energy and lower costs, keep the primary heating system well-maintained. Using an auto setting on the fan can ensure that it is not running continuously, which ultimately degrades heat pump performance. During the next maintenance visit, consider discussing programmable thermostat options with your heating system professional.
The Spring Repair Season
Make spring the season of repairs in preparation for the hotter summer months that are just around the corner. Regularly maintaining heating and cooling units can minimize costs and conserve energy. Promptly fixing leaks and other plumbing problems can keep small items from turning into more significant projects. Get ready for summer vacation by making spring repairs now.
