Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

With spring in full bloom, it is time to do a little home maintenance. Warm temperatures and clear skies make this the right moment to check off the jobs you put off during the cold months. In Northwest Arkansas that also means getting ready for heavy rain, spring storms, and the first hot days. Here is a checklist to make sure your home is ready.

1. Drain your water heater of sediment

Minerals and sediment settle to the bottom of a tank water heater over time. Making sure the flush takes place can improve a water heater's lifespan and efficiency. A tank packed with sediment may rumble, heat slowly, or run longer than it should. Allied offers a $99 Tank Water Heater Flush and/or Inspection and a $199 Tankless Water Heater Flush and/or Inspection. The tank flush is limited by the water heater's age and health, and the tankless service is subject to the system's condition and health.

2. Ensure electrical safety

Keeping your electrical equipment dry and away from water prevents damage to appliances and can protect against personal injury and electrocution. After a wet spring, look at outdoor outlets, extension cords, and the area around your panel for moisture or rust. Press the test and reset buttons on GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoors, and call a licensed electrician if one will not reset.

3. Check your gutters, roof, and basement

Look for signs of water and drainage issues. By diverting the flow of water away from your home, you can prevent a range of problems such as basement flooding and yard erosion. An inefficient drainage system can damage your home from the roof to the foundation. Clear leaves from gutters, make sure downspouts carry water several feet from the house, and look for stains on ceilings, damp walls, or pooling near the foundation after the next rain.

4. Inspect your home for plumbing leaks

Regular inspections can identify hidden leaks and drainage problems, as well as mineral or corrosive deposits that can constrict water flow. If left undetected for too long, they may mean expensive damage and necessary repairs, so check now, before it is too late. Winter cold can also stress outdoor faucets and exposed lines, so turn on each hose bib and watch for drips or spray behind the handle.

• Look under every sink and around toilets, dishwashers, and washing machines for moisture or stains.
• Check your water meter with everything off. If it keeps moving, you may have a hidden leak.
• Drop a little food coloring into a toilet tank and wait 15 minutes. Color in the bowl means a leaking flapper.
• Watch for musty smells, warped flooring, or a water bill that jumps without explanation.

5. Conduct air conditioning maintenance

Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while also causing an incline in energy costs. Replace the filter, clear the space around the outdoor unit, and test the system before the heat arrives. Allied's A-Team memberships include a scheduled cooling tune-up once a year, and A-Team Blue adds a water heater flush during that visit. A-Team Red is $198 and A-Team Blue starts at $299.

If your spring check turns up a leak, a sluggish water heater, or an air conditioner that is not keeping up, call Allied Plumbing Air & Electric in Springdale on (479) 278-4508. Allied handles plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work for homes across Northwest Arkansas.