Inspect Porches
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Check floorboards for signs of rot or damage, looking underneath—where most rot will start—if the area's accessible.
Organize the Attic
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Before summer heat sets in, remove items that can be sold in a yard sale or donated, and make an inventory of what's left.
Head Off Spring Allergies
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Prevent pollen and other allergens from spreading deeper into your home by placing area rugs in entryways.
Check for Termites
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Look for spongy wood, narrow tubes of mud, or discarded wings along your home's foundation, inside and out.
Recaulk Around Tubs
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Ensure that no water is seeping behind bathroom tiles by removing old caulk and replacing it with fresh stuff formulated for tubs and tile.
Refresh Old Potting Soil
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If last year's potted plants were healthy, you can reuse the soil this year. Remove old foliage or roots, and fluff it up with 25 percent peat moss or compost.
Plant a Tree on Arbor Day
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Happy Arbor Day! To get in the spirit, consider planting a fast-growing flowering species that will offer up plenty of color. In hot, sunny climates, try a crape myrtle; in cooler zones, opt for a purpleleaf sand cherry. Both can grow up to 2 feet per year. Choose a planting site large enough to accommodate future root and canopy growth.
Keep Windows Working
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In honor of National Window Safety Week (April 5–11), inspect your home's windows to ensure none are painted or nailed shut.
Mix up How You Mow
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Changing direction each time you cut the lawn will help grass blades grow upright, not tilted in the direction you mow.
Pull Weeds After It Rains
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The softer soil makes it easier to remove the entire root.
Get the AC Ready to Work
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Give the system a whirl now so that you'll have plenty of time to schedule a service call, if needed, before the pros get booked up.
Place Sprinklers Strategically
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Make sure you're watering your yard, and not your driveway, house, or sidewalk; you'll save water and avoid rotted siding.
Open Seldom-Used Taps
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If guest baths haven't seen company in a month or longer, run faucets and flush toilets to keep traps from drying out and causing unpleasant odors.
Check Washer Hoses
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To avoid costly flooding, look for cracks and bulges in washer hoses and replace if there's any sign of wear.
Reseed Bare Patches
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Fill bald spots by raking and sprinkling with garden soil and grass seed. Water regularly to keep seeds moist.
Fix Driveway Cracks
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Winter ice can cause or broaden cracks in concrete driveways. For narrow gaps, apply a masonry crack filler; in wider ones, use patching mortar.
Clean and Seal Your Fireplace
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Keep critters from holing up in your chimney by closing up your flue until fall. Then schedule a cleaning and inspection—you can often get lower rates in the off-season.
Replace Your AC Filter
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Before turning on your AC this spring, change the filter so that it runs with maximum efficiency.
Clean Your Doormat
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Dirty mats are less effective at trapping dust and debris. Use a vacuum to clean out caked-in dirt so mats are ready for muddy spring shoes.