April Home Maintenance and Safety Checklist

April is prime time for spring cleaning, gardening, and enjoying springtime. This year, go beyond dusting and mopping. Our checklist covers home improvement and safety tips for indoor and outdoor tasks. Learn how to boost your home’s curb appeal, kick spring allergens, and get a head start on the spring thaw this April.

Spring allergies can leave you sniffling and sneezing, but there are a few ways you can fight back. Here are a few simple ways to improve air quality in your home.

Never underestimate the power of a good old-fashioned cleaning. Regular dusting and vacuuming can keep the allergens in your home to a tolerable minimum. But if your allergies continue, deep clean surfaces that don’t get as much attention.

Ceiling fans and window sills are popular gathering spots for dust bunnies. Check under the couch and furniture for other spots to clean.

And don’t forget the laundry. Washing bed sheets, curtains, and rugs in spring can lower the dust mite population in your home, letting you breathe easier.

All that dusting and air purifying won’t do much good unless you change the vents in your HVAC system, bathrooms, and hallways. Make sure that dust, dander, and pollen get trapped by a clean filter.

Don’t forget the laundry room—the dryer vents in your laundry room may also need a little cleaning. Plus, not cleaning the lint trap can create a fire hazard.

Once the snow and ice has cleared, it’s time to clean off the deck and outdoor areas for spring. Your porch, windows, screens, and drainage system may have taken on dirt and damage.

Pressure-washing the deck, porch, sidewalks, and side of your house improves curb appeal, but it also keeps your home healthy. All that set-in dirt, grime, and mildew can damage wood and siding if not treated. This April, buy a pressure washer or rent one from a hardware store.

Take a look at the weatherstripping on your windows and doors. If the rubber or foam looks worn, it’s time to replace it. Weatherstripping keeps those April showers out and the AC or heat inside.

Weatherstripping also makes your doors and windows seal tighter, making them harder for intruders to break through. After all, the first seven days of April mark Window Safety Week.

April 22 is Earth Day, a celebration of all things green and sustainable. You can pitch in with a few of these home improvement ideas or April.

Plant a tree in your backyard to celebrate Earth Day this year. There are tons of helpful sources for selecting the placement and caring for your new sapling. It’s a great activity to do with your kids as you watch them and your new tree grow tall and strong.

Check to see if your area has an urban forestry program. The program will send you a tree to plant in your yard or parking strip. All you have to do is keep it watered and happy. You can also get help from the urban forestry department if you have questions about planting a new tree on your property.

If you don’t have room in your backyard or rent your home, consider donating to a nonprofit like One Tree Planted, The Earth Day Network, or The National Forests Foundation that will plant trees for you.

Summer may still be a couple of months away, but there are a few things you can do before the heat kicks in. April is a great time to check on your HVAC system, sprinklers, patio, and grill.

Start the season by checking or installing your sprinkler system in April. Before installing sprinklers, be sure the ground below you is fully thawed, remove any obstructions like rocks or sticks, check the water pressure, and test the valves.

After it’s been benched all winter, check your AC unit to make sure it’s ready for late spring and summer. Check that all the panels are intact, repair or replace any pipe damage, clean up that beauty, and test it.

Don’t wait until June to enjoy your patio or porch. Dust off the tables and chairs and set them out in April to enjoy the sunshine and a good book. Wipe down all the furniture with disinfectant wipes and wash any cushions or covers. Pati-oh yeah.

Fresh grilled veggies and juicy burgers never go out of season—it’s just finally nice enough to grill outside. Start by cleaning the char off the grill and dumping the old charcoal or checking your propane tank levels.

April often brings rain, and lots of it. Now is the perfect time to protect your home against flooding. Some quick ways you can keep your home dry is by keeping your gutters clean and covering basement window wells.

For more information check out our flood prevention guide.

• May Home Maintenance Checklist
• March Home Maintenance Checklist
• Spring Safety Home Checklist
• Summer Safety Guide