Spring is here, and summer is coming. Many of us are excited to see the sunshine lasting longer and longer each day and can’t wait to lounge poolside without a care in the world.Make sure your house is ready for a change in the weather with these ten home improvement projects!

1. Plant trees

Spring is a great time to take on a little yard work. Trees can be a really strategic investment if you know where to plant them. Evaluate your house’s needs. Does the sun beat down on a certain part of your house during the day? Are you interested in a little more privacy from the neighbors? Trees could be the answer. You won’t reap the benefits immediately, but if you invest in a few quick-growing trees, you’ll have a natural, environmentally-friendly solution before you know it.

2. Check the roof

Make sure your roof is leak-proof (preferably before the spring rains come!). Grab a ladder and climb up onto your roof to ensure that everything is secure, with no damages or new animal residents. You can save a lot of money long-term by checking for leaks and weather damage as soon as winter is over. If the leak is small, all it might take is a simple sealant to keep your house and family dry.

3. Take care of your air

Don’t wait until the summer heat rolls around to make sure your air conditioner is working. Change the filter, check your hoses for leaks, and clean the air conditioner coils to make sure you won’t be sweating all summer. Call in a repair person now if there’s a more advanced problem, and you’ll be saving yourself from a long repair waitlist during the summer.

4. Clear the lawn

It’s easy to let leaves, branches, or other debris accumulate during the winter. Now that spring is here, get rid of it! Layers of dead leaves or other materials can suffocate the grass underneath, so cleaning up your lawn now will mean healthier grass all summer long.

5. Look out (for) the windows

Warped or damaged window frames will let that hot outdoor air in and your cooled indoor air out, so take the time now to check for damages! If your windows aren’t sealed against the outdoors, there’s a variety of different methods you can use to protect those window frames, from various types of weatherproofing to silicone sealants.

6. Head upstairs and down

If you have an attic, basement, or crawlspace, it’s important to check it regularly, especially if the area is unfinished or rarely used. Make sure no rodents or insects have moved in, and examine the walls for any signs of mold or water damage. Throwing your windows open to catch the fresh spring air is another advantage for this project; good air ventilation plays an important role in mold prevention. If you can stop those problems before they start, you’ll be grateful later!

7. Banish the bugs

Wasps, ants, and other creepy crawlies are on the move during spring, looking for new housing. If you aren’t keen to share your living space with a few hundred new roommates, do what you can to limit their options. Seal any obvious cracks, crevices, or holes in your siding, and make sure you control where the food in your house ends up. Even a small unattended spill is a feast for an ant colony!

8. Brighten up your porch or deck

The wear and tear of the winter months can have a significant impact on your porch or deck. If you have a wooden deck, check for splinters and rotten or weakened planks that could cause an injury down the road. Consider giving it a new coat of paint or varnish, to keep it a little more waterproof while also looking good. If your porch is made of concrete, consider sealing cracks, or at least making sure the weeds aren’t gaining footholds in them.

9. Fix your pipes

Summer often means more water usage, so it’s a good idea to check all your pipes before the heat hits. Make sure they’re all functioning properly, with no clogs, drips, or sweating pipes. If you find a problem, it’s often a good idea to consult a plumber so you can be sure to address the issue in its entirety--because they’re in our walls and ceilings, pipes can have an effect on everything around them. It’ll be a relief when you don’t have to worry about it during the hottest months.

10. Finish that project

Tackle that home improvement project you’ve been procrastinating! If you don’t think you have a project, sit down and think about what changes you could make to your home that would improve your life, or just make you happier. Maybe it’s painting your house, getting a new major appliance, or cleaning your lawn furniture. Spring is a great time to be using your hands, whether it be inside or outside. Not to mention, you’ll enjoy a sense of pride all year long knowing that you met one of your goals and improved your living space.

Kickstart your spring home improvement project with our top-of-the-line sealants today!