Putting Some Spring Into Spring Cleaning

Just as spring is a good time for cleaning, it also is a good time for homeowners to catch up on neglected work both inside and outside the house.

Much of what you need to do to prepare your abode for the warmer weather is common sense. For instance, it doesn't take a science degree to know you should clean out clogged or overflowing gutters and downspout elbows of any debris to make sure they can handle heavy spring rains.

Thanks to public service announcements, we also understand it's a good idea to change the batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at the same time you set your clocks ahead for daylight-saving time.

But did you also know that you should clean the coils underneath the front panel of the refrigerator every six months or so to keep it running efficiently? Or that it's not enough to simply empty your dryer's lint catcher after every use — you should also vacuum out the area inside the dryer, underneath the catcher, at least once a year.

Ditto with the inside of that exhaust hose that runs from the back of the dryer and vents to the outside. A clogged hose not only can cut down on your dryer's efficiency and release unwanted moisture into the house (which can cause mold issues), but it can be downright dangerous.

"If enough lint gets backed up inside, it can spark a fire," says Bob Satterfield, co-owner of Rollier's hardware store in Mount Lebanon, Pa., which sells an assortment of special brushes for this and other didn't-know-I-had-to-do-it jobs.

This is especially important for machines with old-style vinyl hoses, or where the dryer has either been pushed too close to the wall and the hose has been crushed.
What else should the smart homeowner do to get ready for — or fix problems caused by — an extreme change in the weather? Perhaps more than you'd think.

Let's start with the outside. Pittsburgh home improvement guru Ron Hazelton suggests homeowners do a thorough "walk-around" the house, paying particular attention to the paint. The older paint gets, the less elastic it becomes. And as a house expands and contracts with the changing temperatures, it will develop cracks, which allow water to creep in and cause the paint to peel.

"So you want to find any exposed wood, scrape it, put on some primer and apply more paint," says Hazelton.

Because winter weather is also hard on your roof, it's smart to inspect the shingles and flashing (the metal between the chimney and the roof) with a pair of binoculars.

Homeowners should make certain downspouts and gutters are securely attached to the house, or they could end up with water pooling next to your foundation.

Next, take a good look at your window glazing and door frames. Caulk can break down during winter and leave gaps; cut out any bad sections and replace with an exterior-use sealant with at least a 35-year guarantee.

As for the rest of the property? Spring thunderstorms often come with blowing winds, notes Mike Broniszewski, co-host of a Pittsburgh radio home improvement call-in show. So now is the time to take a good look at the trees at home. If you don't see anything growing on a branch or limb, chances are it's dead and could snap off during a storm and hit your house — or a family member. The same goes for broken branches.

If the branches are small and you can reach them while standing on the ground, prune the dead parts with shears, loppers or a pruning saw. If they're too big or high, consider hiring a professional.

Because spring storms very often cause flooding, Broniszewski suggests inspecting grates in your driveway and basement window wells for any debris. Go one step further and walk out to the street and find the storm drain and make sure it isn't clogged.

What about your home's interior? Hazelton suggests cleaning the screen in your stove's exhaust hood. If you have a flare-up on your stovetop and the hood is full of grease, it could ignite. Also, make sure the toilets are not constantly running or making any other kind of noise.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)