There may still be snow in the air and you’ve just survived the holidays, but whether you’re ready or not, it’ll be spring before you know it! We can’t wait for the barbecues, the spring flowers or the green lawns either, but before you start thinking about patio furniture and butterflies, there are a few things you need to do to get your home spring ready.

 1. Prepare Your Gutters

When the snow and ice on your roof starts to melt, it’s going to need somewhere to go. You need to make sure that your gutters and downspouts are ready for it. Check for any loose sections, and make sure they’re properly secured and transferring water far enough away from your house. Then make sure gutters are clear of leftover fall leaves, snow and ice, and when you pour water down the downspout it goes where it’s supposed to.

2. Check the Caulking on Windows

While everything is frozen, caulking that’s cracked and damaged won’t make much of a difference. However, when the ice melts and spring rains fall, you’ll find unwanted water in your home, and it’s much harder to fix leaky caulking when it’s already wet.

3. Move the Wood Pile

If you are like most people, you have your wood pile up against your house somewhere, where it’s easy to keep dry and conveniently on hand when you need it. Once it rains in spring, however, your wood pile goes from a handy source of cozy heating to a breeding ground for mold and critters. Definitely not what you want close to the house!

4. Look for Cracks and Heaving

If there are cracks in your walkways and driveway, you’ll probably already be able to spot heaving in the concrete before winter is fully over. Be sure to prioritize those repairs and do them as soon as possible, because once spring thaws and rains arrive, they’re only going to get worse.

5. Figure Out if Your Fence Needs a Facelift

Most people don’t realize this, but summer and fall are the busiest time of the year for fence companies. The best time of year to get a great deal on a new fence is spring, before business picks up for the year. Have a company pay a visit before spring starts to measure your fence and provide a quote, and then have them come back as soon as the melt is over. That way, you can avoid the waiting list and get a better price!

 6. Check Out Door HVAC, Lighting, Faucets and BBQ

Your air conditioning is going to be working hard in spring and summer. Schedule an inspection to make sure everything is functioning properly before you need it. Also check outdoor lights and faucets to make sure they are operating correctly, and have your gas barbecue checked that it’s safe to use.

You may think that you have lots of time left before spring arrives, but the truth is, it’s a matter of weeks before you’re likely to be hosting your first barbecue or get together, and there’s not a lot of time to get everything ready. Take action early, and avoid the spring time rush!