Spring Home Maintenance Checklist for Greater Boston Homeowners

New England winters are hard on houses. By the time April arrives, most Greater Boston homes have taken a beating — and a lot of small issues are waiting to be found. Here's what to check once the weather breaks.

Outside the House

Gutters and downspouts. Winter debris, ice dams, and frozen leaves all take a toll. Clear the gutters, flush them with a hose, and make sure downspouts are directing water away from the foundation — not pooling against it.

Roof. You don't need to get up there, but a pair of binoculars and a few minutes from the ground will tell you if any shingles lifted or cracked over the winter. Missing granules on the ground near downspouts are a sign of shingle wear. Anything that looks off is worth a closer look before the spring rains start.

Foundation. Walk the perimeter and look for new cracks. Hairline cracks in concrete are usually normal settling. Horizontal cracks in block foundations or cracks wider than a quarter inch are worth having assessed.

Driveway and walkways. Freeze-thaw cycles crack concrete and asphalt. Small cracks are worth sealing before water gets in and makes them worse next winter.

Exterior caulking. Check the caulking around windows, doors, and where siding meets trim. If it's cracked, shrinking, or peeling, it needs to be replaced before summer humidity gets into the wall cavity.

Appliances

Dryer vent. Go outside and check that the exterior vent flap opens freely when the dryer is running. If it doesn't, the duct is probably clogged with lint — one of the leading causes of house fires. Clean it annually.

Refrigerator coils. Pull the fridge out from the wall and vacuum the condenser coils on the back or underneath. Dusty coils make the compressor work harder and shorten the appliance's life.

Washing machine hoses. Check the hoses behind your washer for cracks, bulges, or corrosion at the connections. Rubber hoses should be replaced every five years. Braided stainless hoses last much longer but still deserve an annual look.

Dishwasher filter. Most modern dishwashers have a removable filter at the bottom of the tub. If you haven't cleaned it recently, it's probably overdue. Rinse it under warm water and scrub lightly with a soft brush.

Inside the House

Windows and doors. After a winter of opening and closing, check that all windows and exterior doors seal properly. Drafts you couldn't feel in January become obvious now. Weatherstripping is cheap and makes a noticeable difference in energy bills.

Smoke and CO detectors. Test every one. Replace batteries in any that use them. Detectors older than 10 years should be replaced entirely — the sensors degrade.

Basement and crawl space. Look for signs of water intrusion from snowmelt or spring rain. Efflorescence (white mineral deposits on concrete walls) indicates water has been moving through. Check sump pump function if you have one.

HVAC filter. If you haven't changed it since fall, change it now. A clogged filter makes your system work harder and circulates dust throughout the house.

The Stuff That Always Gets Skipped

Touch-up caulking in bathrooms and kitchens. The door that's been sticking since October. The outlet cover that cracked when someone moved furniture. The shelf that's been sitting on the floor waiting to go back up.

These small things are exactly what we handle. If your spring checklist has items you'd rather hand off, book a handyman visit and we'll work through the list in a single trip.