Spring Cleaning Checklist
Now that spring here, many of us are embracing the rejuvenating feeling in the air and doing some spring cleaning. Here are some chores you may not have thought to add to your checklist that will make your home much safer this season, brought to you by our disaster restoration professionals.
Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning your gutters regularly will keep them clear so they can continue to work properly. Chances are the condition of your gutters aren't the foremost thing on your mind all the time, and it can be easy to forget about them. But they can easily get clogged with leaves and other debris throughout the year. This can lead to sagging in the gutters, flooding in your home, and foundational complications. Luckily, it's a very simple cleanup, and can be done fairly quickly.
Check for Mold
Indoor mold can be extremely deadly and hard to detect. Some homeowners see signs of mold and don't even recognize it. It can be growing anywhere in your home at anytime, so take the time to check your home for mold growth while you go around cleaning other things. Look for any strange odors throughout the home, leaks or water intrusion, and visible growth of any quantity. Check your bathroom, sink, attic, basement, and walls for any of these signs. Mold can lead to allergies, sickness, and–in extreme toxic cases–death, so if you find any type of mold growth in your home, be sure to remove it as soon as possible.
Check for Fire Hazards
Fire hazards aren't much of a concern during the winter months, but we're approaching the season of them being on our minds. A large percentage of fires happen in residential areas, and they can be incredibly devastating and destructive. The best way to prevent a fire in your home is to be prepared and check for fire hazards. Make sure you have smoke detectors on every level of your home, as well as fire extinguishers. Do not place flammable objects near outlets, do not leave lit candles unattended, and make sure dust does not accumulate near sockets and floor heaters.
Change the Batteries in Your Smoke Detectors
The next step in fire preparedness is making sure that a fire can be detected in the event of one. Smoke detectors can prevent fire damage, but they're only as good as their power source. Don't wait for your alarms to let you know they need new batteries. Test your smoke alarms throughout your home to make sure the batteries are still working, and if they aren't be sure to replace them.
Check for Clogged Drains
A sewer drain clog is a disgusting and dangerous plumbing emergency. If a drain is clogged, wastewater has no place to go but back into your home's plumbing system. It's the most serious type of clogged drain you can have, and you want to take measures to ensure you don't have one. Check if multiple drains throughout your home are clogged at the same time, and look for strange behavior or sounds coming from any fixtures. Some of the most susceptible fixtures to sewage clogs are toilets, sinks, bathtubs, showers, and washing machines. Keep your eye out for anything suspicious, and if you suspect you may be in danger of having a sewage clog be quick to call a professional.
Check for Leaks
A small leak may not seem like an urgent call for alarm at first, but it can quickly escalate into something worse. They can cause many health hazards that will only progress over time. Structural damage, mold, and fungal growth can affect both your property value and your health. They can even present a fire hazard if they short out electrical wires. Even the smallest leak is critical to your entire home. Catching leaks early on will save you a lot of money and protect yourself from any damage that could be caused.
Spring is the perfect time to get caught up on important household chores that will ease your mind about your home's and family's safety this year. Sometimes, the simplest tasks have the biggest long-term impact.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Disaster Professionals offers 24/7 disaster recovery response for everything from flood cleanup to complete restoration. We're happy to help!