HUD Articles

How to Get Your Home Ready for Spring!

1. Check the smoke alarms

Checking your smoke alarms is fast and simple, but super important! You should test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors once a month and replace the batteries once every 6 months. Check out these tips for testing, replacing and caring for your alarms.

Pro tip: it’s also a good idea to check or replace the batteries in your thermostat once a year.

2. Clean out your dryer vent

Even though you regularly clean out the lint trap filter in your dryer (you do, right?), it’s also important to clean out the whole dryer vent to avoid a fire hazard. Once or twice a year, disconnect the dryer, vacuum and brush out the vent, then reconnect it.

3. Replace filters

You should also get ready for spring by replacing your water, furnace and range hood filters. If you’re not sure how to replace any of these filters, you can research a solution online or hire a professional.

4. Check pipes for leaks

Pipes can freeze during the winter (unless you live in a warm climate like Florida). So, if you can see them, this is a great time to check your pipes nearest the walls for any leaks or cracks, before you pressurize them in the spring.

Hint: If your water ever stopped flowing or trickled out of the tap on the coldest days, it's a strong possibility your pipes were frozen; if so, call a professional to come by and look at your plumbing and pipes.

5. Wash interior and exterior windows

Don’t you want to look outside and enjoy blossoming flowers, green grass, and sunshine in the spring? Well, clean windows would make it that much easier.

6. Clean faucets and showerheads

This may seem more like spring cleaning and less like getting ready for spring, but you’ll thank yourself later when you have one less chore to do.

Pro tip: Use a plastic bag filled with this do-it-yourself cleaning solution to clean your faucets and showerheads. It may sound crazy, but it works.

7. Declutter

Don’t save decluttering until you’re ready to start spring cleaning! Declutter beforehand so you have less to clean, less to carry or move, and fewer items collecting dust. It’ll be much easier to clean without any clutter in the way.

8. Make a plan for spring cleaning