Winter has a way of hiding wear and tear until the snow melts. After months of being beaten by the cold, your home will benefit from a few checks and simple fixes. Use spring as a reset button for home maintenance. Start your spring checklist now with Ace Hardware of Fort Collins to help protect your home and make sure everything is running smoothly as the weather warms up.

Inspect the Exterior

Winter can be tough on siding, roofing and foundations. Take a walk around your home and look for cracked caulk, peeling paint, loose shingles and damaged siding. Taking care of any of these problems will help prevent water damage during spring rains. A multi-purpose caulk like this one from DAP DYNAFLEX can help. It has excellent adhesion to a wide range of building materials and is mold and mildew resistant.

Inspect Sprinkler Heads

Snowplows, freezing temperatures, and shifting ground can damage sprinkler heads and irrigation lines over the winter. Before turning your system back on, inspect sprinkler heads for cracks, leaks, or misalignment to avoid wasted water and soggy spots in your yard. Ace Hardware carries a variety of sprinkler heads, including this one from Rain Bird. Its gear-driven design is quiet, and the spray distance can be easily adjusted from 26 to 38 feet.

Clean up the Yard and Outdoor Spaces

Spring is the time to wake up your lawn and garden. That means cleaning out window wells, trimming shrubs and removing any leftover debris from flower beds and other garden areas. This would also be a good time to pressure wash patios, decks, driveways and walkways, and soffits and siding too, if necessary. This pressure washer from Craftsman sprays away dirt and build-up and provides a comfortable grip while you work.

Tune Up Lawn Equipment

Before grass starts growing fast, take time to check your lawn maintenance equipment. Sharpen mower blades and hand tools, charge or replace batteries, lubricate moving parts, and drain or replace old gas to ensure everything runs smoothly when you need it. This MidWest Gas Can safely stores gas and makes it easy to pour when you need it.

Spring home maintenance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Making a list and taking things one at a time will make it a little easier to help protect your home, improve comfort, and prep your yard for the warmer months ahead. When you’re ready to tackle your checklist, Ace Hardware of Fort Collins on Harmony has the tools, supplies, and expert advice to help you get it done right.