Getting Your Home Exterior Ready for Spring

Spring is closer than you think. It may not feel like it, but warm weather and backyard fun is just around the corner.

The only problem is, your house is nowhere close to being ready. The sidewalk salt stains, decomposing leaf pile on the porch, and brown grass are all just waiting to crawl out from under the snow. That Easter party you’re dying to host doesn’t have a shot at happening if you don’t clean up your home’s curb appeal.

First things first, it’s time to take care of winter’s mess. So where do you start? That’s easy… at the top.

 

Plan Ahead

 
January might be too early to actually start on the yard work, but it’s never too early to start planning. You’ll need supplies, a plan of action, and maybe even an extra hand or two. Most importantly, you have to plan ahead financially. Before you can take on any of the tough stuff, it’s good to map out a strategy.

Prepare a budget, buy discounted items, and keep potential maintenance costs in mind while you’re spending on luxuries early in the year. If you line up your schedule well, you’ll roll into the next couple of months with everything you need. Oh, and don’t forget a checklist of the problem areas you want to tackle. First up: the yard.

 

The Yard

 
Nothing makes a better impression than a nice, green lawn. Lush grass and a fresh cut yard can make all the difference for curb appeal. The tough part is going from brown crabgrass to saturated, supple blades. What’s the trick? Aeration.

When do you aerate your yard? Well you should ask a professional, but if you’re seeing puddles or bare patches after heavy rainfall, it’s a good sign that you need some help.

Replacing hardened ground with air pockets is beneficial for a number of reasons. Water, oxygen, and fertilizer are all able to penetrate the tough ground and allow the roots to grow. Sure, there are other ways to brighten up your lawn, but aerating is fast and affordable. And of course, you can always add to your care plan as you go.

 

The Exterior

 
There’s always a question of when to do work on your house. Do you remodel now, or wait until summer? When should you install the pool? What about the paved driveway? For many, the answer is springtime. Of course, it will depend on your project, but getting started at the first sign of nice weather is never a bad idea.

If you’re like the majority of homeowners, the earlier the better. Construction time is also the perfect opportunity to work on other aspects of your house-like exterior maintenance. A few ideas to help freshen up the outside are:

• Power-washing siding and windows

• Fixing and replacing damaged roofing

• Removing debris

• Cleaning gutters

• Trimming shrubs and other growth

Winter can take a toll on your house-especially if you live in an area that sees large amounts of snowfall. A little tender, love, and care in the springtime goes a long way to making your Memorial Day picnic a hit with all the neighbors. Just don’t forget the kielbasa.

 

Pool, Porch, and Patio

 
Put your first pool party on the calendar right now. This year you won’t be behind opening everyone’s favorite hangout spot, because springtime is the right time to dip your toes in. Taking the cover off and seeing the effects of those early months is always rough, but you’ll be thanking your fortitude when the temperature is pushing triple digits and the whole family is enjoying a nice, refreshing swim.

It’s hard to enjoy a relaxing day by the water if there is no way to relax by the water though. Pick up some porch or patio furniture before prices increase. Taking advantage of last year’s inventory or designs can save you a bundle when buying outdoor furniture. Or, better yet, give your own old furniture a makeover. Restoring wood furniture is as easy as sanding, painting, and sealing.

 

Park Place

 
Yep, you guessed it, your driveway needs a little bit of help too. How about resealing it? And if you have concrete, a power-wash wouldn’t hurt. Both options can make all the difference when applied at the right time of year. With that fresh porch furniture, cleaned up siding, and well-maintained landscaping, your home is ready for summer.

 
 
What are you most excited for this Spring? Do you have any big yard projects planned?