Spring is here. Before you start enjoying it, your house has a few things to say.
In short: Gutters, HVAC filter, roof check, smoke detectors, AC service, basement moisture, dryer vent, caulking, garage door safety test, and a walk-around. Most take under 30 minutes. Total cost if you hire everything out: roughly $600–$1,500. Most of it you can handle yourself.
Cost estimates below reflect national averages as of early 2026 and vary by region.
1. Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged gutters cause water to pool around your foundation, leading to basement leaks and erosion. After a winter of ice and debris, they need attention.
What to do: Clean gutters at least twice a year — spring and late fall. Make sure downspouts direct water at least three feet from your foundation.
When to call a pro: If your home is more than one story, or you're not comfortable on a ladder. Typically $100–$250.
2. Replace Your HVAC Filter
The single most-forgotten maintenance task in any home. A dirty filter forces your system to work harder, raises energy bills, and circulates dust and allergens.
What to do: Standard 1–3 inch filters: replace every 30 to 90 days. Thicker 4–5 inch filters: every 6 to 12 months. Quick test: hold it up to a light. Can't see through it? Overdue.
When to call a pro: Filter replacement is straightforward. But if your system sounds off or isn't heating/cooling evenly, schedule an HVAC tune-up ($100–$200).
3. Inspect Your Roof From the Ground
Grab binoculars and walk your yard. Look for missing, cracked, or curling shingles, and any damaged flashing around vents or chimneys.
What to do: Check for dark streaks, lifted flashing, and damage around skylights and vents. Note anything that looks off.
When to call a pro: If your roof is over 15 years old or you spot damage. Professional inspections run $150–$400, and catching a small issue now prevents a leak that costs thousands.
4. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Five minutes. Could save your life. Test monthly, replace batteries yearly, replace the unit every 10 years.
What to do: Press each test button. Replace batteries if they're more than 6–12 months old. Check the manufacture date — over 10 years means the whole unit goes.
When to call a pro: No pro needed.
5. Get Your AC Serviced Before You Need It
The worst time to discover a dead AC is the first 90-degree day — when every HVAC company is booked solid.
What to do: Schedule a professional tune-up now while demand is low. Clear debris from around your outdoor condenser unit, keeping two feet of clearance.
When to call a pro: Always, for this one. An annual tune-up runs $100–$200 and covers refrigerant, coils, electrical, and thermostat.
6. Check for Water in the Basement or Crawl Space
Spring rain and snowmelt are the top causes of basement moisture. Even dry basements can develop issues after a hard winter.
What to do: Flashlight tour. Look for stains, musty smells, or visible moisture around the water heater and pipes. Test your sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit.
When to call a pro: Active water, unexplained stains, or a dead sump pump. Minor waterproofing fixes start around $500; major work can run $3,000–$8,000.
7. Clean the Dryer Vent
A clogged dryer vent is one of the leading causes of house fires. Lint builds up in the vent line and it's extremely flammable.
What to do: Disconnect the vent hose from the back of the dryer and clear lint. Check the outside vent cap — it should open freely. If clothes take more than one cycle to dry, your vent needs cleaning.
When to call a pro: If your vent run is longer than 10 feet or hard to access. Usually $100–$175.
8. Check Exterior Caulking and Weatherstripping
Gaps around windows and doors invite water, drafts, and insects. Freeze-thaw cycles crack and loosen caulking every winter.
What to do: Inspect caulking around windows and doors for cracks or missing sections. For entry doors, close the door on a piece of paper — if it slides out easily, the weatherstripping needs replacing.
When to call a pro: Caulking is a $5 fix. Larger gaps or rotting trim warrant a handyman.
9. Test Your Garage Door Auto-Reverse
Federal law has required garage doors to have an auto-reverse safety feature since 1993, but the sensors and mechanisms wear out over time. A malfunctioning garage door is a serious safety hazard — they weigh 150–400 pounds.
What to do: Place a 2x4 or a roll of paper towels flat on the ground in the door's path. Close the door. When it contacts the object, it should reverse immediately. Also test the photo-eye sensors by waving an object (like a broom handle) through the beam while the door is closing — it should stop and reverse.
When to call a pro: If the door doesn't reverse on contact, or the sensors don't trigger, call a garage door technician. Don't use the door until it's fixed. A sensor adjustment or replacement typically costs $100–$200.
10. Do a Spring Walk-Around
The simplest task on the list. Walk slowly around your home's exterior and really look.
What to do: Foundation cracks, siding damage, peeling paint, mildew, window well drainage, deck condition, and hose bibs. Note what you find.
When to call a pro: Depends on what you see. The point is catching problems while they're small and cheap.
The Real Problem Isn't the Work — It's Keeping Track of It All
If you're reading this thinking "I know I should do all this, but I never get around to it" — that's the problem Mintain was built to solve.
Mintain is a free maintenance tracking app for your home, cars, yard equipment, and recreational vehicles. Add your items, pick from over 300 templates, set your intervals, and get push notifications before things are due. When you complete a task, swipe to mark it done — your maintenance history builds automatically.
Store filter sizes, part numbers, contractor info, and service notes so you never search for the same thing twice.
Free for up to 4 items. Pro is $1/month or $10/year if you need more. No contracts, no ads, no data selling.
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Common Questions About Spring Home Maintenance
When should I start spring home maintenance? As soon as the ground thaws and temperatures are consistently above freezing — typically late March through mid-April depending on your region. The earlier you start, the better pricing you'll get on professional services like AC tune-ups.
How much does spring home maintenance cost? If you DIY everything on this list, you'll spend under $50 on supplies (filters, caulk, batteries). If you hire out gutters, AC service, and dryer vent cleaning, expect $300–$650 total. A full professional spring maintenance package runs $600–$1,500.
What's the most important spring maintenance task? Testing smoke and CO detectors — it takes five minutes and is a life safety issue. For protecting your home's value, gutter cleaning and HVAC filter replacement are the highest-impact tasks.
How do I keep track of all these different maintenance schedules? That's exactly what Mintain is for. Add your home, pick from pre-built templates, and set your intervals. Mintain sends push notifications before things are due and tracks your completion history automatically. Free for up to 4 items.
This is the first post in Mintain's weekly maintenance blog. Every Monday, we publish a new guide covering home, auto, yard, and equipment maintenance — practical advice timed to the season, so nothing catches you off guard.