At first glance, this image of plants growing in a gutter seems like a funny way to celebrate spring. But for experienced homeowners, this looks like a big risk of high repair costs — and it’s a reminder to make time for a few important spring cleaning activities that will save you money.
Cleaning out your gutters after a long Northeast Ohio winter is just one of the ways that EANDC recommends homeowners care for their property and reduce long term home ownership costs. Without proper care and cleaning, overflowing gutters can drip water and cause ($$$) damage to the exterior of your home or leak into your foundation or even your basement.
Other important spring clean up tasks that will help you save money as a homeowner include:
Inspect your roof — Our roofs take a beating over the winter, especially with the build up of ice and the extreme changes in temperature that we experience in fall and winter. Finding a small problem now, such as missing shingles, etc. can prevent larger costly future repairs and also helps ensure it doesn’t reach the point of interior damage to your home.
Clean or replace HVAC filters — When your heating/cooling system is kept clean it doesn’t have to work as hard to cool or warm your home, which means the system is less likely to experience mechanical problems or break downs. This means your system will last longer and you can avoid costly replacements and/or repairs.
Clean your dryer vent — Cleaning your dryer vent once a year can reduce the cost of running your dryer by $200+ a year. The National Fire Protection Association also recommends annual cleaning to prevent housefires. Overheated dryers are one of the primary causes of housefires.
Check the washing machine fill hose — Did you know that burst washing machine hoses are one of the most common causes of water damage in a home? These hoses, which undergo a lot of pressure during the machine cycles, should be checked often and changed every 3-5 years. Thankfully, there are plenty of YouTube videos to show you how to change the hoses yourself.
Clean decks, driveways, fences and other outside surfaces — Regular (at least annual) cleaning of wooden and cement services prevents the buildup of moisture, residue, mold, etc. that can cause damage to materials and extend the life of your home’s assets. Adding a coat of finish or paint also adds another layer of protection, which helps you avoid costly replacement expenses in the future.