Spring Home Maintenance: 12 Tasks in the Right Order
Spring maintenance is not a list problem. Almost every homeowner already knows the tasks — gutters, filters, the AC.
It is a sequencing problem. Gutters cleaned after the spring rains did nothing. The AC booked in the first hot week costs more and waits longer. Caulking done after the wet season is a wasted afternoon.
The order below is built around weather windows, not around how important each task feels. The full annual maintenance calendar is here if you want the whole year in one place.
The four windows
| Window | When | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Before the rains | Early spring | Gutters, drainage, roof — cleaning after is pointless |
| Before the heat | Early–mid spring | AC service, attic, cooling |
| Before the wet season returns | Late spring | Caulking, paint, exterior seals |
| Anytime dry | Throughout | Windows, exterior lighting, deck |
The single most important timing point: the AC. The first hot week fills every HVAC calendar in the city — you will wait longest and pay the most, exactly when you need it most. Book in early spring.
Window 1 — Before the rains (early spring)
1. Clean gutters and downspouts
Clear winter debris, then test with a hose. A gutter that looks clear and does not drain is still a gutter that overflows into your foundation.
Check that downspouts discharge away from the house, not against it. This is the cheapest foundation protection that exists.
2. Inspect the roof from the ground
Binoculars, not a ladder. Look for missing or lifted shingles, damaged flashing around vents and chimneys, and moss.
Do not climb. Roof work is the leading cause of serious homeowner injury. Anything above ground level is a professional job.
3. Check drainage and grading
Walk the perimeter after a rain. Water should move away from the foundation. Anywhere it pools is a problem to fix now, not in autumn.
4. Test the sump pump
Pour water into the pit and confirm it activates and discharges. A sump pump discovered broken during a storm is a flooded basement.
Window 2 — Before the heat (early–mid spring)
5. Service the AC
Filter, coils, refrigerant check, condensate drain. Book it now, not in June.
While you are at it: replace the filter, and note the date and size in your maintenance log.
6. Check the attic while it is still cool
Look for daylight through the roof, staining on the underside of the deck, pest evidence, and damaged insulation. An attic is unpleasant in July and genuinely dangerous in August.
7. Clear exterior vents and intakes
Dryer vent, HVAC intake and exhaust, crawlspace vents. Blocked intake vents cause the system to work harder and can trigger shutdowns.
8. Test smoke and CO detectors
Standard monthly task, but spring is when most people actually do it. Replace batteries annually.
Window 3 — Before the wet season returns (late spring)
9. Check and refresh exterior caulking
Windows, doors, and anywhere two materials meet. Old caulk that has cracked lets in water, and water does its damage slowly and invisibly.
Ideal conditions: dry surface, mild temperature. Caulk applied to a wet or cold surface fails within a season.
10. Inspect exterior paint and touch up
Peeling paint on wood is not cosmetic — it is the first stage of rot. Touch-ups in spring are an afternoon; rot repair is a project.
11. Check exterior door seals and thresholds
Run a hand along the edges on a windy day. Air leaks are both a comfort problem and an energy bill problem.
12. Exterior lighting and paths
Replace bulbs now, while evenings are still long. Check path lighting and steps — you will not notice a dead bulb until the darker months, which is exactly when you need it.
Anytime dry
- Wash windows — inside and out, ground floor only
- Deck and patio: check for loose boards, popped nails, and soft spots. Clean and reseal if due. Soft wood means rot underneath — investigate before it spreads
- Outdoor furniture: clean, check fasteners, treat wood or metal
- Grill: deep clean the burner tubes, not just the grates
- Trim vegetation: 12 inches minimum clearance from the house. This is pest prevention, not landscaping
- Outdoor faucets and hoses: check for freeze damage from winter, test before you rely on them
What to record (this is what makes it useful)
Every task needs three pieces of information, or next year you will repeat the guesswork:
| Field | Why |
|---|---|
| Date completed | Establishes the real cadence for your house |
| Who did it | Contractor details for the next time |
| Cost | Warranty and resale documentation |
And the ten-minute habit that pays for itself: photograph every appliance and system rating plate. Model and serial number in your phone means no hunting when you book a service call.
What not to do yourself
| Job | Why it is professional work |
|---|---|
| Roof inspection or repair | Leading cause of serious homeowner injury |
| Electrical work | Legal and safety implications |
| Gas appliance servicing | Carbon monoxide risk |
| Chimney sweeping | Creosote is a fire risk and needs proper equipment |
| Tree work near the house | Dead limbs and power lines |
| Anything requiring a ladder above the first floor | The risk is not worth the saving |
This is general guidance, not professional advice. Your appliance manuals and local climate override everything here.
Common questions
What if I only have time for three tasks? AC service (before the heat), gutters (before the rains), and detectors. Those three cover the highest-cost and highest-risk failures.
What if I rent? Do the tenant-side tasks: filters, detectors, dryer vent, and reporting problems in writing. Landlords handle the roof, HVAC service and major systems — but a written report is what protects your deposit.
How much should I budget? A commonly used planning benchmark is setting aside roughly 1% of the home's value annually. Treat that as a planning reference, not a guarantee — real costs vary widely with age and condition.
What if I missed spring entirely? Do the two weather-dependent tasks immediately (gutters, caulking) and defer the rest to autumn. The annual maintenance calendar shows what can shift.