Spring Home Maintenance Checklist: What to Check After Winter
by the Berry team · Updated
In spring, check the roof and gutters for winter damage, get the AC serviced before the first hot week if you have central air, and make sure water drains away from the foundation. Then test outdoor faucets for hidden freeze damage and watch for termite swarms, which are two problems that are far cheaper to catch early.
The spring checklist at a glance
Spring is about finding what winter broke and getting cooling ready before you need it. Most of the inspection work is free if you do it yourself.
| Task | What it prevents | DIY cost | Pro cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look over the roof after winter | Wind, ice, or snow damage turning into a leak during spring rains. | DIY$0 | ProFree to $300 for an inspection |
| Clean gutters and check downspouts | Overflow from spring rain soaking the fascia and foundation. | DIY$0-$30 | Pro$100-$300 |
| AC tune-up (if you have central AC or a heat pump) | A no-cooling call during the first heat wave, when schedules are packed. | DIYFilter and coil rinse, $5-$40 | Pro$80-$200 |
| Check outdoor faucets for freeze damage | A split pipe leaking inside the wall every time you run the hose. | DIY$0 | Pro$150-$400 to replace a split faucet |
| Check grading and downspout discharge | Water pooling against the foundation and seeping into a basement or crawl space. | DIY$10-$100 for extensions and soil | Pro$500-$3,000 for regrading |
| Watch for termite swarms | Hidden wood damage that grows for years before anyone notices. | DIY$0 to look | ProInspection often free to $150 |
| Test smoke and CO alarms | Dead alarms with no one noticing until they are needed. | DIY$5-$30 for batteries | ProRarely needed |
| Clean window screens and check seals | Bugs getting in once windows open, and water getting behind trim. | DIY$0-$40 | Pro$100-$300 for a handyman visit |
Ranges are typical US prices and vary with your region, your home, and the season. A pro quote for your exact job beats any range.
Do these everywhere
These jobs apply no matter where you live. Spring is mostly inspection: walking around the house and finding what winter did to it while repairs are still small.
Look at the roof. From the ground with binoculars is fine. Look for missing, cracked, or lifted shingles, damaged flashing around chimneys and vents, and granules piling up at the bottom of downspouts. Inside, check the attic on a sunny day for daylight showing through or water stains on the decking.
Clean gutters and test downspouts. If you have gutters, clear out what collected over winter, plus the seeds and pollen that spring trees drop. Run a hose through each downspout and make sure the water comes out several feet from the foundation.
Get the AC checked before you need it. If you have central AC or a heat pump, schedule a tune-up in March or April. The tech will check refrigerant pressures, clean the coils, and test the capacitor, which is a common failure part on the first hot day. You can rinse the outdoor coil gently with a hose yourself between visits.
Change the HVAC filter. If your system uses a filter, swap it as you switch from heating to cooling. Spring pollen loads filters up fast, so check it again in a month.
Check the grading around the foundation. Soil should slope away from the house, not toward it. After winter, look for low spots where water pools, mulch piled against siding, and downspouts that dump right at the foundation. Adding soil or downspout extensions is cheap. Fixing a wet basement is not.
Test smoke and CO alarms. Press the test button on each one. Many people pair this with the clock change in March and again in November so it happens twice a year.
Clean screens and check window seals. Before you open windows, check screens for tears and wash them. Look at the caulk around window frames from outside and replace anything cracked or pulling away.
Inspect the deck or patio. If you have a wood deck, push a screwdriver into a few boards and posts near the ground. Soft wood means rot. Check that railings are solid and that the ledger board where the deck meets the house is not pulling away.
Service the mower (if you have one). If you have a gas mower, change the oil, swap the spark plug, and sharpen the blade before the first cut. It takes about an hour and helps it start reliably all season.
Climate section
If you get hard freezes
Spring is when freeze damage shows up. A pipe that split in January often does not leak until you turn the water back on. If you winterized last fall using how to winterize outdoor faucets, reverse those steps now.
Wait until the last freeze passes. Check your local average last frost date and the 10-day forecast before turning outdoor water back on. A late freeze can still split a faucet that has water in it.
Turn outdoor faucets back on and check for leaks. Open the indoor shutoff valve if your faucets have one, then turn on the outside tap with a hose attached and a thumb over the end. Go inside and look and listen near where the pipe enters the wall. Water inside means the pipe split over winter.
Restart the sprinkler system (if you have one). Open valves slowly to avoid pressure spikes, then run each zone and walk it. Look for heads that geyser, zones that will not shut off, or soggy spots that point to a cracked line.
Look for frost heave and cracking. Check walkways, driveways, and the foundation for new cracks or lifted slabs. Seal small cracks before water gets in and makes them worse next winter.
Climate section
If you're in a humid climate
In warm, humid areas, spring is when moisture and pests come back. Getting ahead of them now is much easier than chasing them in July.
Watch for termite swarms. Subterranean termites often swarm on warm days after spring rain. If you see winged insects swarming near windows or doors, or piles of discarded wings on sills, call a pest pro for an inspection. Also look for pencil-width mud tubes on the foundation.
Check the crawl space (if you have one). Look for standing water from spring rain, a torn vapor barrier, or damp insulation. Moisture under the house leads to mold and wood rot.
Flush the AC condensate line. If you have central AC, pour a cup of white vinegar into the condensate line access before cooling season starts. Algae in the line is a common cause of water leaking from the air handler.
Clear mulch and plants away from the house. Keep a few inches of gap between mulch and siding, and trim shrubs back so air can move. Damp mulch against the house invites termites and rot.
Climate section
If you're in storm or tornado country
In much of the South and Midwest, spring is peak severe weather season. The full list is in storm and tornado prep.
Trim limbs over the house. Get dead and overhanging branches cut before spring storms arrive. Large limbs or anything near power lines is a job for a tree service.
Pick and stock your shelter room. The lowest floor, an interior room, away from windows. Keep flashlights, shoes, and a weather radio there.
Test the sump pump (if you have one). Pour a bucket of water into the pit and confirm the pump runs and drains it before spring rains hit.
Update your home photos. A quick video walk-through of every room and the exterior makes an insurance claim much easier if a storm does damage.
When to call a pro
- The roof has missing shingles, damaged flashing, or you see water stains in the attic or on ceilings.
- The AC blows warm air, the outdoor unit hums without the fan spinning, or the breaker trips when it starts.
- You see termite swarms, discarded wings, or mud tubes on the foundation.
- Water leaks inside the wall when you turn on an outdoor faucet.
- Water is getting into the basement or crawl space even after you have fixed gutters and downspouts.
What makes it worse if you wait
- Winter roof damage that is not fixed in spring gets tested by every spring storm, and a small repair can become a ceiling and insulation job.
- AC problems found in April are a scheduled repair. The same problem in the first heat wave means waiting days in a hot house.
- Termite damage grows quietly. The longer it goes, the more wood needs replacing.
- Water pooling at the foundation every rain can lead to a wet basement, crawl space moisture, and eventually foundation repair.
Common questions
When should I do spring home maintenance?
Start in March with inspections and booking an AC tune-up, since cooling schedules fill up fast once it gets hot. Wait until your last freeze has passed to turn outdoor faucets and sprinklers back on.
How much does spring home maintenance cost?
Most of the spring list is inspection, which is free if you do it yourself. Hiring out the bigger items typically means $80-$200 for an AC tune-up and $100-$300 for gutter cleaning.
How do I know if my outdoor faucet froze over winter?
Turn it on with a hose attached and partly block the end so pressure builds. Then check inside, near where the pipe goes through the wall. If you see or hear water inside, the pipe likely split and needs repair.
Do I need an AC tune-up every spring?
Most manufacturers recommend yearly service, and a spring check catches common failures like a weak capacitor before the first hot day. If you have a heat pump, it runs year round, so regular service matters even more.
Not sure that's your problem? Snap a photo and Berry will tell you what it is and what it should cost.
Keep reading
- Summer Home Maintenance Checklist: Keep the House Cool and DryThe summer home maintenance jobs that keep cooling working and moisture out, what each costs DIY vs pro, and extra steps for humidity and storm season.
- How to Prepare Your House for a Tornado or Severe StormWhat to do before storm season, the day a watch is issued, and after the storm passes, with DIY vs pro costs for trees, tarps, generators, and sump backups.
- Fall Home Maintenance Checklist: What to Do Before WinterThe fall home maintenance jobs that actually matter, what each costs DIY vs pro, and extra steps if you get hard freezes, high humidity, or storms.
- Seasonal Home Maintenance: What to Do Each Season and What It CostsThe full seasonal guide hub.