Get your home ready for warmer weather ahead

With spring on the horizon, a few simple maintenance tasks can make sure your home is ready for the warmer weather.

Home improvement experts offer the following advice:

• Because winter storms can be hard on outdoor structures, it’s important to check outside for damage to railings, stairs, fences, driveways or sidewalks.
• Be sure to clear any debris that may have built up on roofs or gutters. Leaves accumulated on the roof can hold moisture, which can damage roofs if left unattended.
• Replace or repair any leaky or cracked hoses or spigots, and check sprinklers and irrigation systems.
• Clean your patios and decks, using a pressure washer to remove built-up grime, mildew and dirt. Pressure washers are quicker than using a regular hose, so it reduces the amount of water used.
• Check existing outdoor lighting and replace any broken or nonworking lights. Spring is also a great time to consider adding new lighting to your patio, yard or pathways. Natural gas lighting can offer a soft glow and cozy ambiance that will enhance time spent outdoors during warmer months.
• Check your grill to make sure it’s ready for summer cookouts. If you’re using a gas grill, you don’t have to worry about making sure the grill has fuel since natural gas is always readily available, but you will want to check connections and burners to make sure they’re in good working order. You should also remove any food drippings or grease build up and clean the grill thoroughly.
• Remove dead plants, prune bushes and trees, reseed bare spots in your lawn, and plan your spring and summer gardens.
• Fix damaged door and window screens to keep bugs and debris from getting inside.
• Flush tank hot water heaters. Sediment buildup in a tank can reduce heater efficiency, even if you’re using a high-efficiency natural gas water heater. To get rid of any accumulated sediment, first be sure to shut off the gas or power to the tank. Cool the water by running a hot water tap on a sink faucet for a few minutes. Then close the heater’s water supply valve, run a hose from the tank’s drain valve to a bucket or floor drain and open the drain valve. When the flow stops, stir up the sediment by opening the supply valve briefly. Drain and repeat until only clean water comes out. Close the drain valve, open the supply valve and turn on the gas or power.
• Service your air conditioner so it’s ready for the upcoming summer months.
• Finally, spring maintenance is an ideal time to check smoke detectors and replace batteries. Smoke detectors should be tested monthly, and batteries should be replaced yearly, so making it part
  of your spring maintenance routine ensures timely replacement.