5 important maintenance tasks for spring

Before you know it, seasonal flowers will be poking their way out of the soil, signaling the much-awaited arrival of spring. This means that summer – many people's favorite time of the year – is just a few short months away!

However, before it gets too late in the season, there are a few important maintenance tasks you should complete around your home. Here are five essential chores to complete during the spring.

1. Clean and repair screens
Once the warm weather sets in, you'll probably want to open your windows and let in the fresh air. However, if you have holes in your screens, you may also end up with bugs in your house. Take time during the spring to clean off your window screens and inspect them for any damage. This Old House magazine explained that there are screening patching kits available at most home improvement stores, or you can replace the mesh when there's more extensive damage.

2. Level your yard
If your kids can't wait to get outside and play on your lawn, it's a good idea to make sure the surface is level. If the grade is uneven, you'll likely end up with a yard full of puddles during the spring. This can lead to basement flooding problems as well. Check your lawn for any divots and purchase the proper material to fill in the holes.

3. Check outdoor faucets
During particularly chilly winters, your outdoor water faucets are prone to damage. Before you hook up your hose and start watering the garden, HGTV recommended that you check faucets to ensure that they're intact. Inspect the fixtures, then turn the water on. If the flow is weak, you may have a cracked or frozen pipe to deal with.

4. Pressure wash your deck
You're going to need a clean gathering area for your summer cookouts, so take time during the spring to power wash your deck, patio or porch. This will help to get all the dirt, sand and other debris off quickly and efficiently. U.S. News & World Report explained that you can likely rent one of these machines from a home center or borrow it from your neighbor. When you're washing, pay attention to any areas that may have been damaged during the winter and need to be repaired.

5. Purchase a home warranty
There are certain problems that you can plan for, but a broken appliance or system isn't one of them. You never know when there's going to be a mechanical problem with one of your home's big-ticket items, and that's why it pays to have a TotalProtect® Home Warranty. With this service as part of your home protection plan, you'll have help paying for the repair or replacement of your covered items. That way, you can put more money toward your family's fun summer parties!

The information in this article is intended to provide guidance on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.