Spring Refresh Guide
for South Jersey Homeowners

Start by walking around your home and looking at the roof from the ground. Use binoculars to inspect for missing, cracked, or curled shingles. Look for loose or damaged flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights. Check for any signs of sagging or uneven areas on the roof deck. If you have a two-story home, do not attempt to walk on the roof yourself. Call a professional roofer for a thorough inspection.

Go into your attic on a rainy spring day and look for signs of water intrusion. Check for wet insulation, water stains on the roof deck or rafters, and any daylight coming through the roof boards. Also check for mold or mildew, which indicates a chronic moisture problem. If you find any of these signs, call a roofer immediately.

Look in your gutters and downspouts for granules from asphalt shingles. Shingle granules look like coarse black sand. Finding significant amounts of granules in your gutters means your shingles are aging and losing their protective coating. This is a sign that your roof may need replacement soon, especially if it is more than 15 years old.

Turn off the water heater. For gas heaters, turn the gas valve to pilot. For electric heaters, turn off the breaker. Let the water cool for a few hours. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and run the other end to a floor drain or outside. Open the pressure relief valve to let air in, then open the drain valve. Let the water run until it is clear and free of sediment. Close the drain valve, remove the hose, close the pressure relief valve, refill the tank, and turn the power or gas back on.

Flush your water heater once a year. If you have hard water, which is common in parts of South Jersey, consider flushing every six months. Annual flushing can extend the life of your water heater by several years and improve its efficiency by up to 15 percent. Most water heaters last 8 to 12 years, but a well-maintained one can last 15 years or more.

While you are maintaining your water heater, check the temperature and pressure relief valve. Lift the lever and let it snap back. You should hear a gurgling sound as water is released. If no water comes out, the valve is faulty and needs replacement. Also have a professional inspect the anode rod, which prevents tank corrosion. If the anode rod is heavily corroded, replace it to extend the life of your water heater.

Walk around your entire home and inspect the foundation for new cracks. Check for gaps where the foundation meets the siding. Look for signs of water intrusion in the basement, such as white mineral deposits (efflorescence) on foundation walls. Inspect the siding for cracks, warping, or rot. Pay special attention to areas where snow may have accumulated against the house for extended periods.

Check your driveway, walkways, and patio for cracks caused by freeze-thaw cycles. Small cracks can be sealed with crack filler to prevent water from getting in and making them worse. Larger cracks or uneven sections may need professional repair. Also check for any trip hazards created by frost heaving and address them promptly.

Inspect all painted wood surfaces, including window trim, door frames, porch posts, and railings. Look for peeling, blistering, or cracking paint. Peeling paint means moisture is getting behind the paint layer, which can lead to rot. Scrape loose paint, sand the edges, prime bare wood, and repaint. Addressing paint issues in spring prevents more extensive damage during summer rains.

After winter, your gutters may be filled with a mix of decomposed leaves, seeds, and debris that was not there in fall. Clean your gutters thoroughly in early spring. Remove all debris by hand, flush the downspouts with a hose, and make sure water flows freely. Check that downspouts still extend at least four feet away from the foundation, as winter frost may have shifted them.

Winter ice and snow can damage gutters. Look for sagging sections, separated seams, loose fasteners, and bent or crushed sections. Check for rust spots on metal gutters and cracks on vinyl gutters. Ice buildup can pull gutters away from the fascia board. Tighten all fasteners and repair or replace any damaged sections. A gutter that fails during a spring thunderstorm can cause significant water damage to your home.

After the ground thaws, walk around your home and check that the soil still slopes away from the foundation. Freeze-thaw cycles can shift the grade, creating low spots where water pools near the foundation. Add fill dirt to restore proper grading. The ground should drop at least six inches over the first ten feet away from your home.

Rake your lawn to remove dead grass, leaves, and debris that accumulated over winter. This allows sunlight and air to reach the new grass growth. Rake gently to avoid pulling out healthy grass roots. If your lawn has bare or thin patches, spring is a good time to overseed. Apply a slow-release fertilizer and pre-emergent weed control in early to mid-spring.

Late winter and early spring, before new growth begins, is the ideal time to prune many trees and shrubs. Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Trim back any branches that touch your house or roof. Prune summer-blooming shrubs before they put out new growth. Do not prune spring-blooming shrubs like azaleas and lilacs until after they flower.

Clean out dead plant material from garden beds. Turn the soil and add compost or aged manure to enrich it. Apply a fresh layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Wait until after the last frost date, typically mid-April in South Jersey, before planting tender annuals and vegetables. Test your soil pH if you have not done so in the last few years.

Book your air conditioning service in April or May before the summer heat arrives. A technician will clean the condenser coils, check refrigerant levels, inspect electrical connections, lubricate moving parts, and test airflow. This costs $100 to $200 and can extend the life of your system by years. A well-maintained AC also runs more efficiently, saving you money on summer energy bills.

Replace your HVAC air filter at the start of the cooling season, and then every 30 to 60 days throughout the summer. A clean filter improves airflow, helps your system cool more efficiently, and prevents the evaporator coil from freezing. Buy a pack of filters now so you have replacements ready all summer.

Remove any winter debris, leaves, and dirt from around the outdoor condenser unit. Trim back any bushes or grass that have grown around it. The unit needs at least two feet of clearance on all sides for proper airflow. Gently clean the fins with a soft brush or a gentle spray from a garden hose. Turn off the power to the unit before cleaning.

Clean both the interior and exterior of your windows. Use a squeegee with a mild soap solution for streak-free results. Clean the window tracks and sills, which accumulate dirt and debris over winter. Lubricate window hardware with silicone spray so windows open and close smoothly. If you have storm windows, remove and clean them before storing for the summer.

While cleaning, inspect each window for damage. Check for cracked or missing caulk around the window frame. Look for rot or soft spots in the window sill. Check that the weatherstripping is in good condition. Test each window to make sure it opens and closes properly. If any windows are painted shut, carefully break the seal with a putty knife. Address any issues now before summer storms arrive.

Inspect all window screens for tears, holes, and damage. Repair or replace any damaged screens so you can open windows for fresh air without letting in bugs. Clean screens with a soft brush and mild soapy water. Reinstall screens for the warm season. If you have combination storm-screen units, switch them to the screen position.

Check every board on your deck for rot, splintering, or loosening. Pay special attention to the ledger board where the deck attaches to the house, this is the most critical structural connection. Check all posts, joists, and beams for signs of rot or insect damage. Test railings to make sure they are sturdy. Look for popped nails or screws and replace them. If you find any soft or rotten wood, replace it immediately.

Clean your deck with a deck cleaner and a stiff brush or a pressure washer on a low setting. After the deck dries, check the condition of the stain or sealant. If water beads up on the surface, the sealant is still working. If water soaks in, it is time to reseal. A good sealant protects the wood from moisture, UV damage, and rot. Plan to reseal your deck every two to three years.

Inspect patios, walkways, and paver areas for winter damage. Look for settled, cracked, or shifted pavers. Replace polymeric sand between pavers where it has washed away. Clean the surface with a pressure washer to remove dirt, moss, and mildew. Seal the surface if needed. Check for any trip hazards and address them.

In Burlington County, especially near the Delaware River in towns like Riverside, Delran, and Cinnaminson, the spring thaw can lead to basement flooding. The combination of melting snow and spring rains on still-frozen ground can overwhelm drainage systems. Test your sump pump in early March. Make sure your gutters and downspouts are directing water well away from the foundation. Check that your basement window wells are clean and draining properly.

In South Jersey, the average last frost date ranges from mid-April in the southern part of the region to late April in the northern part. Do not plant tender annuals, vegetables, or tropical plants until after the last frost. Watch the weather forecast in April and be ready to cover plants if a late frost is predicted. The Burlington County area is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a, which means a long growing season once the frost danger passes.

Spring in South Jersey means pollen. If you or your family members suffer from allergies, start running your HVAC system with a high-quality air filter before pollen season peaks in April and May. Keep windows closed on high-pollen days. Wash outdoor furniture, decks, and patios to remove pollen. Replace HVAC filters more frequently during allergy season.

March: Inspect roof for winter damage, test sump pump, clean gutters, check foundation for cracks. April: Schedule AC service, flush water heater, clean windows, start lawn care. May: Inspect and clean deck, seal wood surfaces, plant gardens, prepare for summer entertaining. Set a reminder for March 1 to start your spring checklist.