Spring maintenance tips: quick wins and pro fixes
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Spring maintenance hints and tips
Spring’s here, and before summer takes over, it’s the perfect time to give your home a bit of care.
Not the same old “clean the gutters” kind of care, but the kind that protects your investment, keeps you comfortable, and lets you enjoy the summer break instead of fixing things that could’ve been sorted now.
Below you’ll find high-impact jobs grouped by what you actually want done - with quick wins you can tackle in a day, and more involved options that take longer (or we can handle for you).
Stop leaks and damp
Quick wins
● Cut out and re-seal shower and vanity silicone to stop leaks creeping into walls. Use bathroom-grade neutral cure and allow it to cure fully before use.
● Clear window tracks and weep holes with a small brush so condensation drains instead of soaking frames. A quick spray of silicone keeps sliders smooth.
● Do a ceiling check after showers. Fresh stains or hairline cracks are early warnings of failed seals above.
More involved
● Run a whole-home moisture scan with a hired thermal camera or meter. If you find suspicious readings, we can carry out a more detailed assessment.
● Replace failed grout or membranes and re-line showers that keep cracking.
● Track any musty odours to source. They often point to hidden leaks or subfloor damp.
Keep the roof and stormwater flowing
Quick wins
● Do a binocular check from the ground for slipped tiles, rusty fixings, and sagging gutters.
● Hose-test each downpipe for ten minutes. Slow discharge signals blockages or undersized soakage.
More involved
● Use a drone or long-reach camera to inspect flashings, valleys, and skylights. Document any ponding or choke points.
● Add wide-mouth outlets, extra downpipes, or leaf guards. Regrade channel drains and driveway sumps so stormwater drains freely.
Dry, healthy subfloor and timber
Quick wins
● Torch-check under the house for damp ground, borer dust, or blocked vents.
● Re-pin or replace sagging insulation and clear anything stored directly on the soil.
More involved
● Install a ground moisture barrier, add vents, and treat borer.
● Fix external grading that directs water under the house. A low-energy subfloor fan can help in low-airflow areas.
Smooth, airtight windows and doors
Quick wins
● Tighten hinges and handles, clean tracks, and silicone-spray rollers. Replace perished seals on draughty doors.
● Adjust striker plates so doors pull snug and stop rattling.
More involved
● Full joinery tune-up with seal replacements and glazing perimeter re-silicone.
● Reset misaligned sashes for better acoustic and thermal performance.
Clean and protect exterior cladding
Quick wins
● Give your cladding a low-pressure soft wash using a pH-balanced cleaner to remove biofilm.
● Walk the perimeter and note chalking paint or hairline cracks, especially on sun-facing walls.
More involved
● Spot prime bare patches and add a maintenance coat before UV breaks the film.
● Repair minor cladding defects before wind and rain drive water behind them.
Cooling and air quality for summer
Quick wins
● Clean heat pump filters and switch ceiling fans to summer mode so they push air down.
● Replace rangehood and bathroom fan filters to improve airflow.
More involved
● Book a professional deep clean of coils and blower, sanitisation, and condensate flush.
● Have airflow and refrigerant checked to restore efficiency and lower power use.
Power, lighting, and access outdoors
Quick wins
● Test RCDs at the switchboard, replace outdoor bulbs, and check motion sensors.
● Clean and lubricate garage door rollers and hinges so they run smoothly.
More involved
● Add weatherproof outlets where you actually use them. Install low-voltage path or deck lighting for safer, more inviting evenings.
● Add surge protection at the board and get a load assessment if you’re planning a spa, EV charger, or outdoor kitchen.
● Thinking of adding lighting or an outdoor kitchen? Take it further with our guide to preparing your outdoor areas for a summer to remember.
Reliable plumbing and hot water
Quick wins
● Flush your washing machine and dishwasher with a hot cycle to clear scum and mineral build-up.
● Inspect your hot water cylinder for damp, corrosion, and secure seismic straps.
More involved
● Fit a pressure-reducing valve to protect pipes and tapware.
● Add a drip tray with drain, insulate exposed pipes, or consider upgrading to heat pump hot water for efficiency.
Outdoor living that lasts
Quick wins
● Wash exterior windows and glass balustrades for a clearer view.
● Oil timber furniture, check deck fixings, and re-stain high-wear treads before the summer sun kicks in.
More involved
● Measure deck moisture with a meter before resealing so coatings bond properly.
● Re-secure balustrades, replace corroded fixings, and install anchors for shade sails or umbrellas.
● Once your deck and furniture are sorted, make it shine for summer with our blog on preparing your outdoor areas for a summer to remember.
Safety and summer pests
Quick wins
● Test smoke alarms and replace batteries.
● Apply insect-repellent mesh spray to window screens and seal entry gaps around pipes and doors.
More involved
● Install hardwired, interconnected smoke alarms.
● Add retractable screens for large openings to enjoy airflow without the insects.
Wrap-up: small fixes, big peace of mind
Spring maintenance is about protecting your home and getting ready to enjoy the months ahead. A few hours spent now can save thousands later and make your home cooler, safer, and more comfortable all summer long.
If the list feels longer than your weekends, we can help.
We’ll scope, schedule, and take care of the jobs that need a professional touch, so you can head into summer with everything sorted and nothing left half-done.
Get in touch with our team to book your spring maintenance visit today.
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