Although winter might try to hold on a bit longer in Kansas City, spring is right around the corner. Your home can take a beating during the winter months, and spring maintenance goes a long way towards an efficient and comfortable home. Here is a step-by-step plan to get your home in tip-top shape.

1. Check and replace the filters of your heating and cooling systems. This is the best way to keep your HVAC system working for you. If it’s been more than a year since your last maintenance, schedule an HVAC System Check for optimal performance.
2. Look at your outdoor HVAC unit and clear debris from the unit and the area surrounding it. Spray it down with a hose to remove dust and improve airflow.
3. Vacuum vent covers to remove excess dust from your air. If they seem especially dirty, take them off and clean them with soap and hot water.
4. Check to make sure no furniture or rugs are blocking airflow from registers and vents. Also, it’s a good idea to keep boxes and other items a few feet away from your indoor HVAC equipment to maximize air circulation and minimize fire hazards.
5. Consider scheduling a duct cleaning to remove dust and allergens from the air. The National Duct Cleaning Association recommends cleaning your air ducts every 3-5 years.
6. Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
7. To avoid wasting water, check the flapper on your toilet. Simply put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. Wait 15 minutes and then check the water in the toilet bowl. If the water stayed clear, your flapper valve is not leaking. If colored water moved into the bowl, a simple flapper replacement from the hardware store should save you water.
8. Remove debris from your gutters. Also, it’s time to reinstall your outdoor water hose after the danger of frost has passed.
9. Inspect your sump pump to make sure it is working properly to keep water out of your basement during the heavy spring rains. First, make sure the power is on, next check the outlet pipe for debris, and then test it by slowly pouring three gallons of water until the float rises. A working sump pump will start pumping out the water automatically. Learn more about common sump pump issues on our blog.
10. Check the water pressure in your showers and sinks. High pressure can cause damage to your plumbing fixtures, and low pressure can be frustrating. If you have a pressure regulator already in place, a technician can easily adjust the pressure or speak with you about the benefits of having a regulator.

If you need help from a licensed, trained technician, schedule an appointment with A.B. May today.