1. Interior
  2. Exterior
  3. Structural

Replace Alarm Batteries

Don't forget to change the batteries in your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector! You should be testing both alarms every month and changing the batteries twice a year. A good time to change the batteries is when the time changes. Just remember, "change your clocks, change your batteries," and you will be all set!

Vacuum Refrigerator Coils

When your refrigerator coils are dirty, your fridge does not operate as efficiently, meaning it needs to work hard to maintain the correct temperature. Cleaning your refrigerator coils is an easy and quick task that could save you some money on your energy bill. The coils will either be on the back of the refrigerator or under it. You will probably need to move the fridge away from the wall to locate them. Now unplug the fridge and get to work! Firmly but cautiously run a brush attachment or crevice tool on your vacuum along the coils to clean as much gunk off as possible. Plug the fridge back in and move it back to its spot. It's as easy and quick as that!

Clean Lint Trap

We all know to clean our dryer's lint trap often, but how well are you cleaning yours? For a thorough clean, remove the lint screen and vacuum any small bits of lint that may be leftover. Then, wash the lint trap screen with warm water and soap. While it is drying, vacuum the slot the lint trap slides into. Use a long, narrow extension on your vacuum to reach as far down as possible. After this, go ahead and give your dryer hose a cleaning. You will need to move the dryer away from the wall and then remove the clamp on the end of the hose that connects it to the dryer. Vacuum the lint that is in the hose and the dryer. Don’t forget to follow the dryer hose to the exterior vent to get it completely cleaned. While you have the dryer pulled out, it’s a good time to pull the washing machine out as well to check the washing machine hose. If the hose ruptures, it can cause lots of damage. So, if you notice any blisters, bubbles, cracks, discoloration, or any other signs that it could burst, you will need to replace the hose.

Repair Screens

Who doesn't enjoy opening their windows for a fresh spring breeze? Screens are intended to keep bugs out, which they can’t do if they have holes or tears. Inspect all of your screens and repair any imperfections you might find (most hardware stores will have screen repair kits).