Spring is the perfect time of year to get your home in tip-top shape. Maintaining your home is a great way to maintain property value and avoid expensive problems down the road. At Big R we carry everything you need to knock these tasks off your to-do list. We’ve created a handy checklist for you to assist in what minor projects you need to accomplish and how.

Home Maintenance Checklist:

Inspect your air conditioning system for leaks, replace filters. If you notice leaks, contact your HVAC company to conduct repairs to avoid costly issues during the heat of the summer.

Have your dryer vents professionally cleaned out from the exterior of your home. The removable lint trap inside the dryer can easily miss a lot of lint which can build up and cause a fire hazard.

Trim any bushes or foliage that may have grown up around your AC unit to provide adequate air flow to the system. Shop trimmers here.

Inspect caulking around doors and windows, strip damaged caulk and re-caulk if necessary.

Clean out gutters and inspect for leaks to avoid water from gathering near your home’s foundation.

Pressure wash your home’s exterior, patios and sidewalks.

Inspect pathways and patios for cracking or damage. Patch as needed or schedule repairs.

Inspect home exterior for chipped paint, patch damaged areas if necessary to avoid moisture rot on exposed wood.

Inspect and replace any damaged sprinkler heads. Shop our full selection of Orbit or Rain Bird sprinkler heads here.

Reseal exterior woodwork. Not only will it add curb-appeal to your home but it will protect it from the elements avoiding wood rot.

Inspect the roof for missing or damaged shingles from winter storms. If you notice any issues, contact your local roofer to complete repairs.

Inspect screen doors and windows for damage, have them repaired if you notice holes or tears.

Inspect attics, basements and crawlspaces for excessive moisture build-up. Any excessive accumulation of moisture could be a sign of a leak somewhere in the house. Also keep an eye out for signs of insects or rodents.

Inspect all exposed plumbing inside your home for leaks. Most minor leaks can be repaired easily if they are found under your sinks. Most leaks occur at the connections, usually due to a bad gasket or washer.

1. Shut your water off at the main water valve for the home, place a bucket beneath the piping and unscrew the pieces of piping where you’ve located the leak. I take snapshots of each step in the removal process with my phone to use as reference when putting everything back together.
2. Take your old piping, washers, gaskets to your local store to gather replacements. Don’t forget to purchase a roll of plumber’s tape.
3. Return home and re-assemble the parts remembering to wrap all threading with plumber’s thread tape to ensure an adequate seal. DO NOT overtighten the connections, just snug them. When you overtighten plumbing connections it will actually cause the connection to leak more.
4. Turn your water valve back on and test for leaks.

If you find leaks around your faucet handles or spigots, consider replacing the entire faucet. Disconnecting and replacing faucets is very simple and usually just requires a wrench to disconnect the hoses from the plumbing beneath your sink. Follow the same steps as replacing piping in the steps above. Shut off your main water valve, disconnect all hoses, unscrew the nuts holding your faucet to your sink and replace with your new faucet. Check for leaks and you’re good to go! (Remember to not over-tighten the connections)

Boosting Curb Appeal:

Adding curb appeal to your home doesn’t have to be a costly project. There are several projects you can do that will instantly make your home look more attractive and inviting that cost less than $100.

Prime and paint your front door. Pick a bold color that stands out but matches the rest of the colors of your house. Purchase a quart of high-quality glossy latex or oil-based paint (never paint latex over existing oil-based paint or vice versa).

Install a new door handle on your front door. It’s amazing how this can spruce up the look of your entryway and installing door handles isn’t rocket science. Remove the existing handle remembering how it goes together and replace with the new following the same steps. Your new handle should come with step-by-step installation instructions.

Add an upgraded doormat. Old and grimy doormats can really drag down the appearance of your entryway.

Re-paint or replace your mailbox. Your mailbox can add personality to the look of your entire front yard. Shop new mailboxes & accessories here:

Replace exterior lighting. Replacing light fixtures isn’t technically that hard but dealing with electrical projects is very dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Please contact your local electrician if you’re not comfortable. If you’re experienced in replacing fixtures and just want to brush up on how-to there are tons of great videos on Youtube that can help you out.

Install new house numbers. Shop our selection here.

Add hanging baskets, flower pots, new patio furniture to your front porch. Your front porch, patio or deck are extensions of your living space. Take care to make them just as attractive as the interior of your home.

There are tons of great tips on boosting curb appeal and maintaining your home, but this list should get you off to a great start. Remember to head on in to your local Big R to grab the supplies you need to stay on top of your home improvement projects this summer!

Right-click and save our handy printable checklist: