Now that spring is here, do you have any suggestions to help keep my home in tip top shape? -Janice. S. - Ann Arbor

Spring is in the air, and being outside can make the home maintenance projects a little easier to do. Not to mention, being proactive will help your home’s appearance and keep you from spending money on major repairs from neglect. Below are a few tips to get you started on your spring home maintenance.

Window and Door Screens: Inspect for holes and tears. Screen repair kits can be purchased from your local hardware store.

Gutters and Downspouts:
Loose, leaking or clogged gutters can cause water damage or basement leaks. Before this happens inspect, clean and if necessary repair or replace.

Decks:
Inspect your deck for loose nails and boards that need to be fixed or replaced. If wood is gray and aged, consider wood restoration or power washing, and don’t forget to reseal the deck afterward.

Clean Your Fireplaces and Wood Stoves:
Remove ashes and close your chimney flue to prevent build up and fires. If there is more than an eighth of an inch of build up in your chimney, consider calling in a professional chimney sweep company.

Roof and Attic Ventilation and Insulation:
Make sure attic, soffit and roof vents are open and clear of debris to allow proper ventilation. Properly ventilated and insulated attics reduce heating and cooling costs and can extend the life or your shingles.

Air Conditioning System Inspection and Filter Change:
Have your air conditioning system checked by a licensed HVAC mechanic annually to ensure top efficiency. Replace filters monthly to improve air quality and reduce energy costs.

Paint:
Scrape, sand and repaint exterior areas of your home that show cracking or peeling to prevent wood from rotting and the need to repaint entire areas.

Dryer Vents:

With over 15,000 dryer fires a year, annual dryer vent maintenance is recommended by dryer manufacturers and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. If your dryer is taking more than one cycle to dry a load, there’s likely lint accumulation that is clogging your dryer vent. Annual maintenance prevents dryer fires, keeps dryers running efficiently and saves money on energy bills.

Consumers who follow these guidelines will help create a safe environment in their home and save money in the long run. Have fun!

Paul is a State of Michigan Licensed Builder. He serves as president and founding member of HandyPro Handyman Service and nationally franchised HandyPro International. Listen to Paul every Saturday at 11:00am on "It's Your Home, Let's Talk About It" WAAM Talk 1600AM. E-mail questions or comments to kpaul@handypro.com.