Here are some expert tips on areas of the home to check on coming out of winter, and resources for spring clean outs.
Tips and tricks
Steve Ambrose, Division Manager of Home Improvement at ABC Home & Commercial Services, said there are a few exterior areas homeowners can check on as the weather changes, including:
- Gutters: check for debris like twigs, dried leaves and sap, which can weigh down the gutters.
- Condenser: the condenser is the box-shaped outdoor air conditioning unit most houses have. Ambrose said these can also collect debris, resulting in the indoor AC unit not cooling efficiently.
- Irrigation system: to prepare for the hotter, sunnier months, a trial run of the sprinkler system may prevent leaks and program malfunctions
- Trees: a quick walkaround can point out any trees touching the house roof that need trimming. As the wind blows, long branches may damage the roof shingles. They can also be an avenue for wildlife like squirrels, rats, possums and raccoons to get onto the roof.
- Holes: openings and holes in a house may also give indoor access to pests, Ambrose said.
- Thresholds: check the weather stripping on doors and windows for drafts.
- Hardscapes: hard surfaces like patios, walkways, sidewalks and decks can become slippery from mildew and pollen buildup during spring.
Ambrose said that as people prepare to spend more time outside at home, it is important to ensure amenities are running smoothly.
“It's kind of like getting your oil changed on your car before you go on a long trip,” he said. “You want to make sure it's running efficiently and anything a homeowner can do to make sure it is running efficiently is a good thing.”
What else?
When it comes to the inside of the house, there are various donation centers where people can take their unneeded items. Here are a few local places to check out. This list is not comprehensive. See the business website for specific donation instructions.
Where to donate:
Austin Habitat for Humanity ReStore
- Donations accepted: home goods including furniture, appliances, doors, windows, flooring, cabinets, lighting, decor, exercise equipment, baby items, clean clothing and accessories, lawn equipment and more
- Locations: 500 W. Ben White Blvd., Austin; 13804 N. Hwy. 183, Austin; 2521 S. I-35 frontage road, San Marcos
- Donations accepted: pet items, adult men’s and women’s clothing, accessories, shoes, books, artwork, musical instruments, working laptops and tablets, video games and more
- Locations: 5801 Burnet Road, Austin; 1409 W. Oltorf St., Austin; 5102 Clarkson Ave., Austin; 913 N. I-35 frontage road, Round Rock; 15803 Windermere Drive, Ste. 603, Pflugerville
- Donations accepted: art supplies, scrapbook and paper craft, fabric and notions, fiber arts, puzzles, small toys, games, vintage magazines and more
- Location: 2005 Wheless Lane, Austin
- Donations accepted: books, CDs, LPs, DVDs, art, complete board games and puzzles, VHS, audio cassettes
- Location: 5335 Burnet Road, Austin
- Donations accepted: dictionaries & thesauruses (paperback), history books, graphic novels, comics, trade books and how-to manuals, Spanish and English learning books, textbooks and more
- Locations (book drop boxes): 3106 E. 14 1/2 St., Austin; Bouldin Creek Cafe, 1900 S. First St., Austin
