Spring home maintenance checklist
Once the ground thaws: book the AC check-up, clean the gutters, look over the roof and siding for winter damage, start the sprinklers slowly, and test the sump pump before the spring rains. Check smoke and CO alarms and the furnace filter while you are at it. March through May is the usual window.
Spring home maintenance checklist
Checklist
- Book the AC or heat pump check-up before the first hot weekEarly spring
- Check the HVAC filter; replace it if it looks dirtyMonthly
- Test smoke and CO alarms; replace batteries if they need itWhen clocks change (Mar 14, 2027)
- Clean gutters; make sure downspouts drop water 2–3 feet from the houseAfter the trees bloom
- Look over the roof, flashing, eaves and soffits from the groundAfter the last snow
- Check siding, trim and paint; look for foundation cracksEarly spring
- Test the sump pump and check the discharge pipeBefore the spring rains
- Start up the sprinkler system slowly and walk every zoneWhen the soil is thawed
- Check hoses and outdoor faucets for leaksAfter the last freeze
- Trim branches that hang over the roofEarly spring
- Service the mower: oil, air filter, bladeBefore the first mow
- Reverse ceiling fans to counterclockwise for summerWhen the AC comes on
- Check window screens and caulk around windows and doorsSpring
- Test GFCI outlets with the TEST and RESET buttonsSpring and fall
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Start outside: what winter left behind
Walk around the house on a dry day. Look for missing shingles, loose flashing, peeling paint, and cracked trim near windows and doors. UGA Extension also lists cracks in the foundation and masonry; hire a pro to repair those.
Clean the gutters and check that the downspouts send water 2–3 feet away from the house. Trim any branches that hang over the roof.
Cooling, before you need it
ENERGY STAR recommends checking the cooling system in the spring, before contractors get busy in summer. An easy way to remember it: book it around the spring time change. Check the filter monthly in between.
Water: sprinklers, hoses and the sump
Spring is when water problems show up. Check garden hoses for leaks, and start the sprinkler system slowly once the ground has thawed. If you have a sump pump, test it before the snowmelt and spring rains; it is the first line of defense against a wet basement.
Inside
UGA Extension's spring list also covers the inside: clean bath and kitchen fan screens, check toilets and faucets for leaks, re-caulk around tubs and showers, and look for moisture or mold in the basement or crawl space. Trip the breakers and test the GFCI outlets; call an electrician if anything looks unsafe.
What you'll need
- Gutter scoopMakes the spring gutter clean-out faster
- Furnace / AC filters (check your size)Have spares for the monthly check
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Questions
When should I do spring home maintenance?
Once the snow is gone and the ground has thawed, usually March through May. Book the AC check-up early, before the first hot week.
What is the most important spring maintenance task?
Getting water away from the house: clean gutters, downspouts that drain away from the foundation, and a sump pump that works. Spring rain is when those failures turn into a wet basement.
Should I clean gutters in spring if I did it in the fall?
Yes. Winter storms and spring seeds and blossoms refill them. UGA Extension lists gutters in both its spring and fall checklists.
Sources
- University of Georgia Extension — Circular 1082, Home Maintenance Checklist (Mar 2023)
- ENERGY STAR — Heating & Cooling Maintenance Checklist
Related guides
General guidance for typical homes. Follow your equipment manufacturer's instructions and local codes, and hire a pro for anything you're not comfortable doing.