Preparing your home for spring

12 April 2023

You know what comes with Spring?

No, not lambs and daffodils (well, those as well), but the long awaited annual spring clean.

At this point spring cleaning is almost a tradition.

But, there’s a flaw.

 

Why is spring cleaning only focused on the inside of our homes? What about the exterior?

Do more people see the interior or the exterior of your house?

How many people have walked, biked, driven past your house today?

Don’t know. Countless!

How many people have been inside your house today?

Just you, your two kids, your partner and your cat. Oh, and your sister who popped in for a cup of tea at lunch.

Think about that for a minute!

Why Bother?

With all those people seeing it, is it not worth freshening up the exterior of your home? You will enhance curb appeal – which is ideal if you are trying to pique the interest of potential buyers.

You will also gain the multitudinous benefits of the improvement of the overall appearance of your home, by making it appear well cared for and maintained (even if the care and maintenance is lower on your priority list than it should be!) This can increase in your property value - which is great news should you be considering selling your home in the next few years.

Why Now? I’m busy.

Are you a procrastinator? As the saying goes – the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago - I’m telling you, the best time to freshen up your property is now!

Or maybe you are, quite simply, busy. We all know the feeling. But let me assure you that working now will pay off in the coming months and years.

It’s been a hot minute since we last felt the heat of the sun, but Spring brings warmer weather at last! Warmer weather that is perfect for working outside. Perhaps you might install cladding to turn the mediocre façade of your home into something outstanding.

Or maybe, you might update your outdoor spaces, build a decking or a summer house for the kids for example.

Doing these outdoor projects in spring means that you can actually enjoy them in summer. So rather than, sweating, trying to build a patio deck, you can set out your deck chairs on the decking and sunbathe, while the kids play in the paddling pool.

I know. It sounds like a dream. But it could be a reality.

 

With that in mind, here are some top tips for preparing your home for spring :-

Clean, clean, clean!

The first step is to clean!

The outside of your house is exposed to the elements 24/7, so there’s no question that they will be coated in a layer of dirt and grime.

All you have to do is to scrub it away!

• Clean the windows using specialist cleaning products, or simply use soap and water. Not only will this remove dirt and grime, but it will allow the warming sunlight to peek into your house, increasing the natural light and boosting energy levels.
• Jet wash your driveway to remove worn-in dirt from the paving stones, and restore them to their original colour.
• Clean your gutters, essential to prevent blockages and leaks. It might be worth a quick check for any signs of damage.
• Clean the exterior walls, again using soap and water. You will be surprised at the changes you notice after carrying out this simple (yet rather messy) job.
• Clean door, window frames, and other fixtures. This is possibly the least time consuming of everything on this list. Simple swish around with a cloth and a bucket of soapy water, and Bob’s your uncle!

That broken garden bench?...

Just get rid of it! Or repair it if you can. Make do and mend, as the saying goes!

And while you are at it, carry out any other repairs you can do yourself. Or get someone in to help. If you have noticed (while cleaning them out) that your gutters are cracked, now is the perfect time to replace them - especially as we often experience heavy rainfall in spring.

If you have a patio or decking area, you may need to shower it with some T:C before you can use it again. Inspect the area carefully for signs of damage (maybe a crack in the surface – which can be filled with calk or a similar product or replaced with a single panel if necessary).

Add a splash of colour.

Blooming flowers, blue sky, leaves on trees, with all the natural colours of spring popping, how about touching up your front door with some red paint. Or maybe paint the window frames a subtle pigeon. (By the way – did you know we can paint window frames, garage doors, etc, in any farrow and ball colour? Or RAL. Or BS!)

When did you last inspect your roof?

Regardless of whether or not the weather has been bad recently, take the opportunity of the spring sun to check your roof, keeping an eye out for any signs of damage. This could include broken or missing shingles, or even the build-up of moss on the shingles themselves.

It may not seem like much, but an odd missing tile can expose your home to the elements and cause a lot of damage and expense further down the line.

It might be wise to reach out to a local repairman who will be able to carry out the work on your behalf. (Don’t want you hurting yourself.)

Final thoughts…

So far, this year has flown past, and there’s no denying that Spring is well and truly upon us. I know it may not be the most fun thing to do, or the top most task on your priority list – but a bit of home maintenance during this season will not only allow you to start anew and refresh your living space, but also provides the perfect excuse for you to spend more time outdoors.