Cleaning out your gutters each

spring is one of the most important

tasks a homeowner can complete.

Each fall and winter, storms and

fallen leaves can cause clogs that

lead to exterior overflows. Worse

yet, clogged gutters can lead to

costly water damage inside the

home, so get cleaning!

If you clean your own gutters, be

sure to use a scoop, or wear gloves

if you plan to use your hands. This

is to ensure you don’t cut yourself

on any exposed, jagged metal.

Winter weather can really take a toll on your home’s paint job. Get your house

looking its best with a fresh coat of paint, or spruce up weathered areas like trim or

shutters. This is also a great time of year to try out a new color. For example, if

you’ve been planning on adding a pop of color with a red mailbox or bright front

door design, spring is the perfect time to get that project completed.

Snow and other severe

weather can leave concrete or

wood structures looking drab

and dirty. Use a pressure

washer to quickly and easily

rinse outdoor surfaces and

keep everything clean and

tidy. Pressure washers are

available for rent at many

home improvement stores.

Here are some of the outdoor

areas that can benefit from a

seasonal pressure wash:

• Decks and patios

• Driveways and walkways

• Pergolas

• Cabanas

• Gazebos

After you’ve pressure

washed wood structures

like decks or patio

gazebos, it’s time to re-

stain. Staining helps

protect outdoor wood

from fungus, mildew

stains, or dirt patches that

can make your deck look

weathered or old. You can

choose from a variety of

stain colors and finishes to

go with your outdoor

design scheme. Shop

around for a stain with a

protective finish to repel

water as well as UV rays.

At the start of winter, you likely put away any outdoor cushions or stored patio

furniture using protective covers. If you have any outdoor chairs, dining sets, or

porch gliders that stayed outside this winter, now’s the time to do a little upkeep. If

your furniture is too delicate for pressure washing, simply use a soapy rag on any

dusty or grimy areas.

If spring sprung a

little early this year,

you’ll need to tackle

any weeds taking

over your lawn or

garden. This is also a

good time to trim any

unruly shrubs or trees

in order to make way

for spring’s new

growth. Also, look

into seasonal

planting calendars to

start planning this

year’s garden.

It sounds like a no-brainer, but during outdoor spring cleaning, take a long look at your

yard. Do you see any snow damage, such as compacted mulch or grass? Have a

hammock that needs to be restrung? Does your grill need a new cover after winter’s

inclement weather? Make a list of little tasks that need to be completed as the weather

warms up.

Spring is an excellent time to re-seed

the yard in time for seasonal growth:

1. Clean up any winter debris like

leaves, stones, and sticks. This

will not only clean the yard,

but make it easier for full grass

growth to occur.

2. Dethatch the lawn if it wasn’t

already done in the fall. Some

thatch can be beneficial to

growth, so be sure to dethatch

only when a half-inch or more

has accumulated.

3. Aerate the lawn. Use a core

aerator to alleviate soil

compaction and promote

better growth.

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specialty shops. Shop all

five at once for the feel of a

digital department store, or

visit each shop at a time

when looking for specific

items, such as outdoor

furniture or patio gazebos.

Get the best of both worlds,

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