It’s that time! The madness of being stuck somewhere winter and spring. No matter where you’re located in or around Indianapolis, here’s our quick list to help you prepare your house for the warm weather ahead — obviously including our tips on cleaning A/C unit:
Look for missing shingles, leaks, or any other issues. Anxious to climb on your roof? Reach out to our friend, Millie, at Watergate Roofing.
Check to see if cracks have developed. Most hardware stores should have a sealant to help remedy the issue. If you’re concerned the issue is over your pay grade, try our friends at Chimney and Masonry Outfitters.
With the mild winter we had, it’s a good idea to inspect your siding for any mildew. Many times this can be easily cleaned off with a hose or pressure washer. But if you don’t want to do it yourself, call our friends at Byrne Power Washing.
In the same way as siding, decks periodically need pressure washing and staining and can be less forgiving if not done properly. If you’ve never cleaned or stained a deck before, I definitely recommend reaching out to a pro.
If you have a one story home—or are comfortable on a ladder—the outside of windows can usually use a great cleaning after winter. If you would rather have someone else do it, our friend, Brian, at A Better View Window Cleaning can take good care of you.
While you’re up there, make sure all the leaves and sticks that fell throughout the winter are cleaned out of gutters. Again, if you aren’t comfortable on a ladder, contract out to someone that is, like Brian from A Better View Window Cleaning.
Spring brings out bugs, which can annoy you or do damage to your homes. Hardware stores have exterior spray that can be put down around the perimeter of your home.
You knew some HVAC tips were coming. One of the big issues that affects an A/C’s performance is being choked off by landscaping. Be sure to trim back bushes and plants before the growing season starts.
A good reminder for all seasons is to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure batteries are working. Hopefully you can handle this one without professional help.
Check your sump pump by pouring water into the sump pit or crock. This should engage the pump and that water should be removed. If not, call your local plumber. If you need a plumbing recommendation, give Homesense a call and we can help point you in the right direction depending where you are in town.
If you’re anything like me, you turned up the heat on your water heater during the winter to accommodate the colder temps. Turning it down a few degrees during the spring and summer can save you money on your utilities.
Check the caulking around your windows to see if any issues have developed over the winter. You want to have a tight seal to ensure no moisture gets inside the windows. Need an experts opinion? Try our friends at Mirror & Glass Concepts.
After a long winter of tracking the outside into your home, your carpets are probably worse for wear. If the damage requires a pro, we recommend Don’s Carpet Cleaning at 317-945-4137.
One of the most overlooked items on every home checklist is cleaning the dryer vents. You can be diligent to clean out your filter every time and still have lint collect in your dryer vents. If you have a short run, a shop vac should do the trick. If its a longer vent, we recommend reaching out to Ductz.
How long has it been since you’ve thoroughly cleaned behind your fridge? Chances are dust is surrounding your cooling coils, which puts more pressure on that system. Over time this can reduce the cooling capacity and shorten the life of the system.
Yes, back to heating and cooling. That furnace filter isn’t just for the heating season. Since your air circulates all year around, you need to change it during the spring and summer as well. Depending on the type of filter, these usually last two to six months.
Of course, if you have any questions about cleaning your A/C unit, give Homesense a call at 317-203-8149.