Spring is a hopeful time for homeowners. The days get longer, the snow melts, and you can finally open the windows and let fresh air in. But spring is also a time for honesty — about what winter did to your house.
Freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and wind take a toll on your home. Small problems that developed over the winter become obvious once the weather warms up. Cracks in the foundation, damaged shingles, and clogged gutters don’t fix themselves. If you ignore them, they get worse — and more expensive — over time.
I used to treat spring as just a time to clean the yard and plant some flowers. Then I noticed water seeping into my basement after a heavy rain. It turned out the gutters had pulled away from the house over the winter, and water was pouring directly against the foundation. The repair wasn’t cheap, but it would have been much cheaper if I’d caught it earlier.
This checklist covers the essential spring maintenance tasks that protect your home from further damage and prepare it for the warmer months. Work through them in order of priority, and you’ll head into summer knowing your home is in good shape.
Exterior Inspection
Winter is hard on your home’s exterior. Start with a thorough inspection to identify any damage.
Inspect the Roof
You don’t need to climb on the roof to check it. Walk around your property and look up with binoculars if you have them.
Look for:
- Missing, cracked, or curling shingles
- Damaged flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights
- Sagging areas
- Ice dam damage along the edges
- Debris in valleys or low spots
If you see damage, call a roofing professional for a proper inspection and repair. Winter wind and ice can loosen shingles and damage flashing, which leads to leaks when spring rains come.
Check the Gutters and Downspouts
Even if you cleaned your gutters in the fall, they probably need attention again.
Look for:
- Sagging or pulled-away sections
- Clogs from leaves, twigs, or granules from shingles
- Downspouts disconnected from the house or pointing the wrong direction
- Rust or damage
Clean out any debris and make sure downspouts direct water at least 3 to 5 feet away from the foundation. Reattach any sections that have pulled away from the house.
Inspect the Foundation
Walk around the entire perimeter of your home and look for:
- New cracks or cracks that have grown over the winter
- Crumbling or flaking concrete
- Water stains or efflorescence (white, powdery mineral deposits)
- Gaps between the foundation and the siding or framing
Small hairline cracks are usually normal settling, but cracks wider than a quarter inch, horizontal cracks, or cracks that have grown should be evaluated by a professional.
Fill small cracks with concrete caulk or hydraulic cement. Water that gets into foundation cracks freezes and expands, making the cracks larger over time.
Check Siding and Paint
Look for:
- Loose, cracked, or rotting siding
- Peeling or bubbling paint
- Water stains or discoloration
- Gaps between siding pieces
Winter wind and moisture can damage siding and paint. Replace damaged pieces and scrape and repaint areas where paint is failing before spring rains make the damage worse.
Inspect Windows and Doors
Check for:
- Damaged or cracked window glass
- Rotting or damaged frames
- Gaps around frames where caulk has cracked or fallen out
- Damaged weatherstripping
- Screen tears or holes
Recaulk any gaps around window and door frames. Replace damaged weatherstripping. Repair or replace torn window screens before bug season arrives.
Yard and Landscape
Spring yard work sets the stage for a healthy lawn and garden all summer. It also protects your home from water damage.
Check Grading and Drainage
This is one of the most important — and most overlooked — spring tasks. The ground around your home should slope away from the foundation so water drains away from the house.
Look for areas where water pools near the foundation after rain. Fill low spots with soil to improve drainage. The ground should slope away from the house at a rate of about 6 inches over the first 10 feet.
Inspect Trees and Shrubs
Look for:
- Broken or damaged branches from winter storms
- Trees leaning toward the house or power lines
- Dead or diseased trees
- Shrubs touching the house (they trap moisture against the siding)
Trim broken branches and cut back shrubs that are touching the house. If a tree is dead, diseased, or leaning toward your house, have it evaluated by an arborist. Spring is a good time to remove problem trees before summer storms bring them down.
Clean Up Yard Debris
Rake up leaves, twigs, and other debris that accumulated over the winter. Debris left on the lawn can smother the grass and create a breeding ground for pests and disease.
Pay special attention to debris that has piled up against the foundation, in window wells, or around the base of trees and shrubs.
Prepare the Lawn
- Rake — Remove thatch (dead grass) that built up over the winter. A light raking also helps air and water reach the roots.
- Aerate — If your lawn gets a lot of foot traffic or the soil is compacted, spring is a good time to aerate. This pulls small plugs of soil out of the ground, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots.
- Overseed — Fill in bare or thin spots with grass seed. Spring seeding gives the new grass time to establish before summer heat.
- Fertilize — Apply a spring fertilizer to give the grass nutrients for the growing season. Follow the product instructions for application rates.
- Apply pre-emergent — If you have problems with crabgrass, apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring before the crabgrass seeds germinate. Don’t apply pre-emergent if you’re overseeding — it prevents grass seed from germinating too.
Prepare Garden Beds
- Clear out dead plant material from last year
- Add compost or other amendments to the soil
- Edge the beds to create a clean border between the garden and the lawn
- Apply mulch to a depth of 2 to 3 inches, keeping it a few inches away from the base of plants and the house
Don’t mulch right up against the foundation — it can trap moisture and create a path for termites and other pests.
Plumbing and Water Systems
Turn On Outdoor Faucets
If you shut off and drained your outdoor faucets for the winter, it’s time to turn them back on.
- Close the outdoor faucet (make sure it’s in the off position)
- Open the indoor shutoff valve slowly
- Open the outdoor faucet and let it run for a minute to flush out any debris
- Check for leaks at the faucet and at the indoor valve
If the pipe inside the wall froze and burst over the winter, you’ll see water leaking when you turn the valve on. If this happens, turn the valve off immediately and call a plumber.
Check the Sump Pump
Spring rains can overwhelm a sump pump that isn’t working properly.
- Pour water into the sump pit until the float rises
- Make sure the pump turns on and empties the pit
- Check the discharge line outside to make sure water is flowing away from the house
- Clean any debris from the pit
If the pump doesn’t turn on or doesn’t empty the pit, troubleshoot or replace it before the heavy spring rains arrive.
Inspect the Water Heater
Spring is a good time to flush your water heater if you didn’t do it in the fall. Sediment builds up in the tank over time, reducing efficiency and shortening the life of the heater.
For detailed instructions, see our guide on how to maintain your water heater and extend its life.
HVAC Systems
Service the Air Conditioner
Before the first hot day, make sure your air conditioner is ready to work.
- Clean or replace the filter — A dirty filter restricts airflow and makes the system work harder. This is the most important thing you can do for your AC.
- Clean the outdoor unit — Remove any leaves, grass, or debris from around the condenser unit. Use a hose to gently wash dirt off the fins. Don’t use a pressure washer — it can bend the fins.
- Check the fins — If the aluminum fins on the condenser are bent, use a fin comb (available at hardware stores for about $10) to straighten them. Bent fins restrict airflow.
- Schedule professional maintenance — Have a technician check the refrigerant level, clean the evaporator coil, and inspect the electrical connections. This costs about $80 to $150 and can prevent expensive mid-summer breakdowns.
Switch from Heating to Cooling
- Turn off the humidifier on your furnace if you have one — you don’t need it in the summer
- Change the thermostat from heat to cool
- Test the air conditioning on a mild day before you actually need it
Check Ceiling Fans
Make sure your ceiling fans are set to rotate counterclockwise for summer. This creates a cooling downdraft. Most fans have a small switch on the motor housing to change the direction.
Clean the fan blades — they collect a surprising amount of dust over the winter.
Interior Maintenance
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Test every detector in your home. Replace batteries if needed. If any detector is more than 10 years old, replace it entirely.
This should be done twice a year — spring and fall. It’s a simple task that can save your life.
Check for Water Damage
Winter can cause water damage that isn’t obvious until spring.
Look for:
- Water stains on ceilings and walls
- Peeling or bubbling paint
- Soft or warped wood
- Musty smells that could indicate mold
- Dampness in the basement or crawlspace
Address any water damage promptly. The longer it sits, the worse it gets — and mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours.
Deep Clean and Declutter
Spring cleaning isn’t just a tradition — it’s practical maintenance.
Focus on:
- Windows — Clean inside and out for better light and to check for damage
- Carpets — Deep clean to remove salt, dirt, and allergens that accumulated over the winter
- Behind appliances — Pull the fridge and stove out and clean underneath and behind
- Closets — Declutter and donate items you no longer use
- Air registers and vents — Vacuum dust and pet hair from all supply and return vents
Inspect the Attic
On a cool spring day, check the attic for:
- Signs of roof leaks (water stains, wet insulation)
- Pest damage (chewed wires, droppings, nests)
- Adequate ventilation (no blocked soffit vents)
- Insulation that’s been moved or compressed
Attic issues affect your home’s energy efficiency and can lead to ice dams next winter if not addressed.
Safety and Emergency Preparation
Check Fire Extinguishers
Make sure you have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, near the fireplace, and in the garage. Check the pressure gauge — it should be in the green zone. If it’s not, replace the extinguisher or have it recharged.
Review Your Emergency Kit
Spring is storm season in many areas. Make sure your emergency kit is stocked:
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Battery-powered radio
- First aid kit
- Non-perishable food and water for at least three days
- Blankets and warm clothing
- Important documents in a waterproof container
Prepare for Severe Weather
If you live in an area prone to spring storms or tornadoes:
- Identify your safe room or shelter area
- Make sure everyone in the household knows the plan
- Sign up for local emergency alerts
- Trim trees and branches that could fall on your house during a storm
Quick Reference: Spring Maintenance Checklist
| Area | Task |
|---|---|
| Exterior | Inspect roof, check gutters, inspect foundation, check siding, inspect windows and doors |
| Yard | Check grading, inspect trees, clean debris, prepare lawn, prepare garden beds |
| Plumbing | Turn on outdoor faucets, check sump pump, inspect water heater |
| HVAC | Service AC, switch to cooling, check ceiling fans |
| Interior | Test detectors, check for water damage, deep clean, inspect attic |
| Safety | Check fire extinguishers, review emergency kit, prepare for severe weather |
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start spring maintenance?
Start in early spring once the worst of the winter weather has passed. March or April in most regions. Don’t wait too long — some tasks, like checking your air conditioner, should be done before you actually need it. HVAC companies get very busy once the hot weather arrives.
What’s the most important spring maintenance task?
Checking your grading and drainage. Water is the number one enemy of your home’s foundation. If the ground around your house doesn’t slope away properly, water will find its way into your basement or crawlspace. This is a simple fix that prevents expensive damage.
Do I really need to have my air conditioner serviced every year?
It’s strongly recommended. A professional service includes checking refrigerant levels, cleaning coils, and inspecting electrical connections. These tasks keep your system running efficiently and prevent breakdowns. A well-maintained AC unit lasts longer and costs less to operate.
Should I power wash my house in the spring?
Power washing can damage siding, paint, and mortar if done incorrectly. If your home is dirty, use a garden hose with a mild detergent and a soft brush. If you do use a power washer, use a low pressure setting and keep the nozzle at least 12 inches from the surface. Never point a power washer upward under siding — it can force water behind the siding.
How do I know if my sump pump is working?
Pour water into the sump pit until the float rises. The pump should turn on automatically and empty the pit. If it doesn’t, check that it’s plugged in, the float isn’t stuck, and the discharge line isn’t blocked. If it still doesn’t work, replace it before spring rains arrive.