SOUTH MIAMI Blog

Get your home ready for spring

Even in Miami, where we don’t have a proper winter, spring and its fresh air, warmer sun, blooming bougainvillea and promise of a brand new start are more than welcome. And there usually comes one day every year where you look around your house and just can’t stand the dirty windows and dusty corners anymore. That’s when you know it’s time to get your home ready for spring! We’ve put together a list of a few spots in your home that could benefit from some maintenance or spring-cleaning. 

Clean the gutters

Your home's gutters control the flow of rainwater from the rooflines and therefore protect its roof, walls and foundation. If debris builds up in them, you could find yourself with problems like sagging gutters, mold growth, a leaky roof or rodents. So grab a ladder, get yourself some safety gloves and a bucket and start cleaning the debris out of there. After that, it’s best to flush the gutters with your garden hose to make sure that you get smaller pieces of debris as well. Take off any nozzle, shove the hose into the downspout to power out of gooseneck bends and make sure your downspouts channel water at least five feet from foundation walls.
As always with working on a ladder - stay safe!

Check your foundation vents

If your home has a crawl space, it has some foundation vents. These vents provide ventilation and make sure that your crawl space does not build up moisture and mold or invites insects and pests. The easiest way is to clean the vents by hand (wear gloves!) or with a normal household vacuum. Check the screens for holes - even the smallest hole allows for critters to enter! 

Replace filters

There are many filters in your home, from the extractor hood to your faucet to the A/C and the latter should be replaced every 3-6 months so make sure it is part of your spring cleaning list this year! The size of the filter is usually printed on its cardboard frame so before you buy a replacement, check the old one so you get the right size. 

Clean out your dryer vent

Dryers are the number one source of fires in residential homes and most of the time the problem is a clogged vent. To clean it, unplug your dryer, disconnect the vent from the back of the machine and use a dryer vent brush to remove lint. Outside your house, remove the dryer vent cover and use the brush to remove lint from the other end of the vent line. 

Test smoke alarms

The safety of your family is top priority but somehow fire alarms often get forgotten about. Test your fire alarms and CO detectors and change batteries if necessary. This simple task only takes a few minutes but may save a life!

Seal air leaks & insulate your attic

One project you should not take on by yourself is sealing air leaks and insulating your attic as this complex task is best done by professionals. Air leaks can be found around windows and doors and quickly fixed yourself, however, air leaks in your attic are difficult to find and not as easy to fill. Small gaps and cracks are tough and can let in more of the Florida heat than you would think. With spring already basically here and summer on the way, you should make sure that your attic is prepared for the endless hours of burning sunshine that lay ahead of us over the next few months. Air sealing and insulation make sure that heat and humidity are barred from your attic, keeping its temperature- and moisture-regulated and working as a perfect barrier between your living space and the outside world. An insulated attic will save you at least 15% on your energy bills every month, make your home more comfortable with an even temperature throughout and relieve some of the strain you put on your A/C unit, making it last longer and run cheaper. Contact your team of experts from Koala Insulation of South Miami now and find out which type of insulation would work best for your attic & wallet.

Clean the BBQ

Last but definitely not least important - clean your BBQ to be ready for those spring and summer get-togethers with your family and friends. From vinegar to baking soda, there’s a million ways to get that grill sparkling clean again!