Here are some great tips in Spring home maintenance from Money Magazine http://tinyurl.com/yfs59p6
Schedule an inspection and cleaning of your chimney once the heating season ends; that’s when many sweeps offer a discount. Also make sure to remove fireplace ashes to prevent moisture buildup, which can damage masonry.
Cost: $100 to $300, depending on the layout of your chimney.
Inspect your home’s exterior for loose siding or trim, cracks, and crumbling mortar caused by harsh winter weather, and examine your attic for any signs of leaks. If you’ve got siding, give it a wash using a garden hose and a solution of a third of a cup of laundry detergent per gallon of hot water. Work from the bottom up with a soft nylon brush (top down can cause stains).
Now that you can see your lawn again, cut down the thatch, or the layer of dead grass. If the thatch is more than half an inch thick, it can hurt your soil and encourage pests. You can hire a professional to de-thatch for about $30 to $100; if you want to do it yourself, rent a power thatcher and see instructions at garden.org.
Cost: $65 a day for a power thatcher.
Wash and treat (or paint) wood decks to prevent cracking before barbecue season arrives.
Cost: about $50 to $75 for five gallons of sealer.
Make an appointment to get your air-conditioning system professionally inspected and adjusted before the temperature hits 80°.
Cost: $75 to $175 per year for an HVAC service contract.
Before watering season, check pop-up sprinkler systems for leaks or clogs and be sure the spray isn’t going where it shouldn’t.
Termites and ants enjoy getting out in the spring weather too. Get your home professionally checked for pests before they have a chance to create structural damage.
Cost: about $75 to $100 for an average-size home.