Services: Spring Check List

Angie’s List went to its highly rated service providers for 10 tips to help get the inside – and outside – of your home ready for the spring.

“Think about scheduling needed services now to avoid a backlog of busy service providers,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on service categories ranging from carpet cleaning to landscaping to roofing.

“Early spring is the perfect time to give your home and lawn a good once-over and, especially in colder climates, help it recover from the harsh winter. By performing routine inspections and maintenance, you can catch potential problems early and help keep your home in better shape, which will save you money in the long run.”

INSIDE THE HOUSE

• Spring cleaning is a tradition believed to date back thousands of years. Cleaning the inside of your home is a task most homeowners can do themselves, but a professional cleaning service can help you tackle the tough jobs, like windows and floors. Before you hire, check that the company is licensed, insured and bonded.  That protects you and the company in the event of an employee injury on the job or damage to your property.
• If you haven’t had your carpet cleaned in at least a year, now might be the ideal time. Experts recommend a professional carpet cleaning every 12 to 18 months. A dirty carpet contains soil and other debris that will wear out your carpet’s fibers.
• Have you had your water heater checked recently? Maintained properly, water heaters will last for years and deliver gallon after gallon of hot water. Left alone, they’ll quickly lose efficiency, sucking dollars out of your wallet with every degree of heat.

OUTSIDE THE HOUSE                                                                                    

• Check your gutters. Professionals recommend gutter cleaning in the spring and the fall. According to a nationwide poll of Angie’s List members, nearly 1 in 5 said they have had damage to their home because of ignoring needed maintenance of their gutters. 

• Inspect your roof for damage inflicted during the winter. Look for missing or broken shingles and other damage. If you don’t feel comfortable on a ladder, call a professional.
• Have your air conditioner serviced. Technicians can test your air conditioner as long as the temperature is above 60 degrees. Call now to get on their schedule before the first warm days of spring.
• Spring is a good time to examine your driveway’s surface for damage. Water that seeps into your driveway can freeze, causing cracks and other damage. Regular resealing is the best way to protect the surface and keep it in good shape.

LAWN & GARDEN

• Talk with your landscaper or lawn care company about the best way to enrich your soil for the types of plants in your yard. Proper fertilization, watering and weed control in the spring can help your lawn thrive in the summer.
• Have your lawnmower inspected and the blades sharpened before your first mow. Cutting grass with a sharpened blade is important for lawn health. Cutting with a dull blade fractures the grass, causing it to wilt.
• Do your trees look healthy? If not, call in a certified arborist to assess the problem. Well-cared-for trees are attractive and enhance the value of your property. Poorly maintained trees can weaken in storms, risking damage to property or injuries to others.

###

Angie’s List collects consumer reviews on local contractors and doctors in more than 500 service categories. Currently, more than 1 million consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to help them make the best hiring decisions. Members get unlimited access to local ratings via Internet or phone, exclusive discounts, the Angie’s List magazine and help from the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. Take a quick tour of Angie’s List and view the latest Angie’s List news releases.