Home Maintenance: Spring In Charleston, SC
After a rather short and warmer winter in Charleston, Spring has sprung! And with it the promise of longer days, flowers in bloom (look at those azaleas), and of course spring cleaning. Here at Cote Luxe, we love the opportunity to let declutter and clean as we ready the home for warmer days ahead. Not only do we let the home literally air out, by opening windows and doors, stripping bed linens, and refreshing indoor plants for purer air, but welcome the chance to take care of the home maintenance tasks that inevitably come this time of year. So, take a peek below and follow our list of key home maintenance tasks to perform this season, so that your home is ready to invite in summer in the best shape.
HVAC Inspection: Now is a great time to ensure that your HVAC system is up and running smoothly. We recommend scheduling a routine maintenance checkup with a reputable HVAC company, you’ll thank us when those hot days of summer descend upon us and you’re cool inside with your AC running efficiently. We also suggest having them take a look at the AC condenser and Freon levels while they are at it. Also, we love the addition of some key plants that also filter indoor air and improve air quality. We’ve just added snake plants to our home space.
Inspect Outdoor Items: With summer just around the corner, we recommend uncovering and/ or getting all furniture, grills, and yard decor out of storage. We also like to do a bit of cleaning with a power washer or just scrub brush and soap to get them glistening clean. Just take it from us, it is essential to wait until after pollen season has wrapped up, because doing this prematurely will just result in a thick yellow blanket over all of those lovely things. And while you are at it, make sure to give any decks and stairs a once over post pollen too!
Lawn Maintenance:
Re-mulch: Now is also a good time to freshen up any pine straw mulch.
Trim: Make sure to trim branches and ensure all are far enough away from the home and roof.
Fertilize: Many recommend using a fertilizer to enhance your greenery come summer.
Prune: Prune plants now to avoid shocking them when the hotter months arrive. They’ll thank you!
Window Boxes: If there’s one thing about Charleston, it’s the window boxes and wow do they sparkle, so now’s the time to freshen them up with some spring blooms.
Check Window and Doors: Be sure to take a look at caulking and weatherstripping around window and doors, and ensure that all seals are intact. This can help keep the cool AC in, your energy bills down, and reduce the amount of insects that sometimes make their way inside. If you do suspect that pests have taken up shelter without paying rent, reach out to a pest company to assess the situation and process a formal eviction.
Declutter Storage: Spring is ripe for a grand decluttering, and so whether it’s Marie Kondo or not, we love to tackle the space one drawer and room at a time. This is the time to get rid of anything that didn’t make it out of storage during the Holidays and the last 6 months, and also a great time to assess all your wardrobe staples. We love Courtney Carver’s method called, Project 333, which inspired us to divide our closet into 3 seasons with 33 items allowed in each. Now, we can’t say that we got to the goal of 33, but we did start to flip the way that we see our closet, and that made us love every item that we kept. Also, stay tuned for a special partnership with Graceful Spaces, they are the absolute Queens of organizing!
Clean Gutters and Downspouts: Winter is sure to have created leaves and debris that might have clogged those gutters and downspouts, so make sure to keep these areas clean and clear. If not, this could result in water pooling in and around your foundation, and potential mold and mildew problems. So, if the sound of repairs and high costs doesn’t work for you, take it from us, hire a professional to do the job and stay safe, as most of this will require a ladder.
Perform Pest Control: When the seasons start to change, unwanted pests and insects (think ants and palmetto bugs) tend to become more active and find their way inside. We suggest a professional pest control service to do the trick.
Clean and Repair the Exterior: Make sure all is good with siding, decking, railings, and any sidewalks or drive ways. They seem to take a beating during the winter months, and now is the time to ensure they are looking their best so you can show off your home’s exterior at your
Once you tackle this list of essential spring maintenance tasks, you’ll be ready to enjoy a fresh and lively spring in the low country.
And if you’re considering a move to Charleston, or looking for that dream home, feel free to reach out for guidance and assistance. We’re here to help find the perfect home that compliments the lifestyle you’re looking for in this charming Southern city. Happy Spring!