What things should a homeowner do in the spring? We’ve created a Spring Home Maintenance & Cleaning Checklist for Wisconsin homeowners with 22 things to do this spring to help you keep track of what to do this spring to keep your home looking great and working effectively.
There’s a free printable checklist for spring cleaning & home maintenance at the end of this post. No email necessary. Just download and enjoy!
Inside Spring Home Maintenance in Wisconsin
1. Change HVAC Filter
Warmer weather means most homeowners are switching from using the furnace to using the air conditioner. Make sure to change the air filter and check hose connections for leaks.
If you suspect any issues with the air conditioner’s performance last summer, call a professional to check it out, so it’s ready for the hot days ahead.
2. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace the batteries at least once every year.
This home maintenance idea is inexpensive, quick, and worth it for peace of mind as a homeowner.
3. Caulk Bathroom
Caulk wears out, so look at the caulk in your bathroom around the showers, bathtubs, and sinks. Add new caulk where old caulk has deteriorated to prevent water from reaching between the tub, sink, or shower and the wall or floor.
If moisture gets between these areas, mold can grow. So check the caulk in your bathroom at least once per year. Things like mold can be one of the things that lower property value, so be sure to stay on top of these home maintenance tasks!
4. Dust Hard-to-Reach Areas
Spring cleaning means it’s time to dust the often neglected areas inside, such as:
- top of cabinets
- ceiling fans
- between stair railings
- around window casings
If you haven’t cleaned your bathroom vent recently, that could be another place where lots of dust bunnies are hiding. Check out our Shine Realtor, Allie, below as she shows you how to clean your bathroom vent (part 1)!
and cleaning a dirty bathroom vent with Allie part two!
Removing dust mites will help you have a cleaner and healthier home.
5. Clean Curtains and Blinds
It’s also time to clean your fabric curtains and wipe down your blinds. Dust mites settle on these surfaces, so it’s good to clean them in the spring.
6. Check Attic for Signs of Animals or Mold
Spring is also a good time to check your attic for signs of insects or critters.
Animals like squirrels and bats can get into your attic through:
- missing shingles
- holes in soffits or siding
- loose facia boards
- unscreened ridge vents
- open or uncapped chimneys
- gaps between the facia and eaves
Also search for mold growth signs like:
- black staining on the wood
- frost buildup on the underside of roof sheathing
- wet insulation
- water dripping from light fixtures, bathroom fans, or smoke detectors
These could indicate a moisture issue. Proper ventilation and insulation in your attic can help prevent mold growth.
Outside Spring Home Maintenance
7. Pressure Wash Siding
Pressure wash your house siding to clean it and prevent mold from growing. This helps your siding last longer and spruces up your home’s curb appeal too.
Curb appeal is important if you’re thinking about selling too. Check out our other resources for getting top dollar for your home, such as our FREE staging guide!
8. Clean Windows and Repair Screens
Clean the inside and outside of your windows to fully enjoy the sunny days ahead. Check your window screens for holes or tears. Bugs can easily get in even small holes, so patch holes or replace screens entirely if they’ve gotten really bad.
9. Reseal Deck, Fences, and Other Woodwork
It’s likely your deck and wooden fences need some TLC this spring. Reseal wood decks, fences, railings, trellises, and pergolas to keep them in good condition.
Repair or replace any loose railings, stairs, or boards that you find so your deck is in tip-top shape.
10. Inspect Roof
Check for missing, loose, or damaged shingles on your roof that need to be repaired to prevent leaks.
Call a professional roofer if you’ve had roof damage from a hailstorm or if something just doesn’t look right.
11. Touch Up Exterior Paint
Look for areas where the paint has chipped and needs a touchup. Spring is a good time to paint your window trim, shutters, columns, and garage door trim to make your home’s exterior look fresh.
If you’re considering selling your home this year, here are the best months to sell in Wisconsin and the good paint colors for selling your house.
12. Clean Out Gutters and Downspouts
Clean your gutters and downspouts so the spring rain can run through freely. Also, make sure the water runs away from your house so it doesn’t collect by your foundation.
Clogged gutters and downspouts can also cause the wood trim at the eaves to rot, which can allow critters to get into your attic. So don’t overlook this spring home maintenance tip!
13. Inspect Chimney
Inspect your chimney for damaged bricks, stones, or cracks in the grout that need to be repaired. Look to ensure there aren’t any tree branches blocking the top of the chimney too.
You can hire someone to come do a chimney inspection for you and it’s a good idea to get it looked at annually. They can check for buildup, obstruction, and structural issues. Inspectors may sweep your chimney as part of the inspection too.
14. Inspect Paved Areas for Cracks
Wisconsin winter freezing and thawing is rough on concrete and asphalt. Take a nice spring stroll around your driveway and walkways looking for areas that need to be patched or replaced.
Fill cracks using silicone caulk or concrete fillers. If damage needs more than patching, consider replacing the concrete altogether.
15. Check Outdoor Faucets and Sprinklers
Check that your outdoor faucets and sprinklers are in working order. Make sure everything sprays right and there aren’t any leaks.
If you have any sprinklers spraying the sidewalk, road, or deck, adjust the sprinkler heads to ensure you’re only watering your grass.
16. Check Lawn Equipment
Ensure lawn maintenance equipment like lawn mower, trimmer, and hose are in good working order so you’re ready to keep your yard maintained.
17. Fertilize Your Lawn
Say goodbye to white snow and brown dead grass. Tend to your lawn now with fertilizer and grass seed, and the lush green grass will be there soon!
18. Prune Shrubs and Trees
Prune your summer-blooming plants in the spring (but not your spring-blooming plants).
When you’re pruning shrubs, you’re looking to:
- establish and maintain structure & size
- improve flowering and fruiting
- remove the 5 D’s: dead, dying, damaged, disfigured, or diseased wood
For more tips on what and how to prune in early spring, check out this article and this video.
19. Freshen Up Flower and Garden Beds
While you’re working in the yard, freshen up your flower beds, around your house, and around trees by adding fresh mulch or rocks. It can make your home look lively again after a dreary winter.
If you plan to grow vegetables and herbs, prepare your garden beds by getting rid of weeds and adding garden compost.
20. Check the Grading Around Your Foundation
Walk around your house to make sure the grading around your foundation slopes down away from the house.
Add soil if the ground or dirt around your house is pitched toward your home. If the ground is lower near your home, water can collect there and cause issues, so taking care of this is important before spring rain showers.
21. Wash Patio Furniture
If you’ve stored your patio furniture for the winter, get it out and spray wash it if needed. Set up your furniture and get ready to enjoy those warmer days!
22. Check Your Grill
Ensure your grill is in working order if you haven’t used it for a while. You’ll want to be ready for sunny days grilling out!
Spring Home Maintenance & Cleaning Checklist
Click the image below or click here to download or print a copy of the spring home cleaning & maintenance checklist.
Save This Spring Home Maintenance List
Save this list of 22 things to do in the spring to maintain your home’s efficiency and value to Pinterest so you have it every spring.
We hope this was helpful for all of you Wisconsin homeowners!
Wisconsin Real Estate
This post was updated in 2024.