6 Spring Home Maintenance Hacks (After Mid-April Edition)

by Jennifer Stafford

🌿 1. Refresh Your Landscaping Before Summer Heat Rolls In

By now, your plants have leafed out and you can see what’s growing—and what needs shaping. Late April is prime time to:

Trim back overgrowth
Define your garden beds
Throw down a fresh layer of mulch (2–3 inches is plenty)

Why it works: You’ll block out weeds and help your soil stay cool and moist as temps rise in May.

🧽 2. Pollen Clean-Up Made Easy

If you've been putting off cleaning the porch or your patio furniture—you're not alone. The good news is mid-April marks the start of the pollen decline in most NC areas.
Mix up this natural pollen-busting spray:

1 part white vinegar
3 parts water

Spray it on outdoor surfaces, windows, and railings, then rinse or wipe clean. It breaks down the sticky residue without harsh chemicals.

🌬 3. Give Your HVAC System a Quick Tune-Up

Switching from heat to A/C? Don’t skip these two simple steps:

Replace your air filter (especially after heavy pollen season)
Vacuum out supply and return vents

Pro tip: Add a reminder to your calendar to change filters every 30 days during the warmer months. NC humidity + dust + pollen = overworked HVAC systems if you're not careful.

🛠 4. Seal Up Doors and Windows Before the Bugs Move In

Here’s a quick hack: on a breezy evening, run your hand around the edges of your doors and windows. Feel a draft? You’ve got a gap.
Another option: shine a flashlight from outside at night and look for light seeping through.

Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal things up before NC’s summer heat—and bug season—get serious.

🪟 5. Patch Those Window Screens Without Replacing Them

This time of year is perfect for throwing open the windows—but not if your screens are full of holes.
You don’t need to replace the whole screen. For small tears:

Use a screen patch kit (found at any hardware store)
Or dab on clear nail polish to stop fraying in a pinch

Now you can enjoy the breeze—without the bugs.

⚡ 6. Prep for Spring Thunderstorms

Late April into May is thunderstorm season in NC, and quick downpours can do damage fast.
Take a few minutes to:

Trim back limbs hanging over your roof
Clean out gutters and downspouts
Secure or store patio furniture that could blow away

A little prep now = peace of mind later.

🏡 Final Thought: Small Hacks, Big Wins

Taking a weekend to tackle these tasks will leave your home fresh, efficient, and ready for whatever the Carolina weather throws at you next. Plus, you'll roll into summer feeling on top of things—which is always a win.