Five Tips to Get Your MA or CT Home Ready This March
What do you look forward to most about spring in Western Massachusetts or Northern Connecticut? After a long, cold winter, we’re longing for the bright, warm sun. Not to mention longer days, green plants, and more comfortable temperatures. But in order to enjoy the warmer days to their fullest, it’s important to get your home ready before the seasons fully change over. Unsure where you should start? Lucky for you, PayLessForOil.com has a handy list of five tips for you to help make that seasonal transition seamless.
De-Clutter for Spring
Spring is the perfect time to pare down the clutter that’s been accumulating in your home during the winter. Before you get started, make a room-by-room plan so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. From cleaning out the kids’ rooms to dusting places you haven’t since that Christmas party, it’s important to clean out before you open your doors to the spring and summer.
Service Your AC Unit
Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor clean and service the outside unit of the air conditioning system, like our friends at FSi Oil & Propane. Clean coils operate more efficiently, and an annual service call will keep the system working at peak performance levels, saving you money in the long run.
Test Smoke Alarms
Now is a great time to test the smoke alarms and CO detectors in your home. Change out batteries as needed. It’s inexpensive, it only takes a few minutes, and can save the lives of you and your loved ones in an emergency. Press and hold the test button on the smoke detector. It may take a few seconds to begin, but a loud, ear-piercing siren should come from the detector while the button is pressed. If the sound is weak or nonexistent, replace your batteries. If it has been more than six months since you last replaced the batteries (whether your detector is battery-powered or hardwired), change them. You should also look at your smoke detector to make sure there’s no dust or other substance blocking its grates, which may prevent it from working even if the batteries are new.
Check Foundation Vents
Does your home have a crawl space? Houses with a crawl spaces have vents along the foundation walls. The vents provide air circulation that helps prevent excess moisture and mold growth, and they prevent critters from taking up residence underneath your home. Spring is a great time to clean them out and check for damage. That way if there is an issue, you can take care of it before the warm weather fully sets in.
Inspect the Concrete
Inspect concrete slabs for signs of cracks or movement. Sometimes damage can occur during the winter months, and you won’t notice it right away. All exterior slabs except pool decks should drain away from the home’s foundation. If you notice cracks, the cracks could potentially lead water back to your home/basement. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk. When the weather gets warmer, power-wash and then seal the concrete to keep out moisture.
Need a Fuel Delivery or HVAC Service in MA or CT?
The team at PayLessForOil.com is eager to help you with your home heating and cooling needs. Whether you need heating oil delivery, furnace, boiler, or air conditioner service from our friends at FSi Oil & Propane, or you want to sign up for one of our convenient service plans, we can do it all! When you contact us for your home comfort needs, you can trust that you’ll receive quality service at an affordable price.
