The Florida humidity is making a strong comeback, which can only mean one thing: Spring is in the air. So for all you Floridians out there who are chomping at the bit to get outside and take on all of those essential springtime maintenance tasks, this is for you!

April is the perfect window during the year to tackle many home projects because most areas of the country have moved past harsh winter conditions but have not yet fully welcomed summer. In the majority of cases, regular maintenance takes minimal time and expense. However, if gone unchecked those minor tasks turn into major headaches that could be avoided with some regular attention.

Check Your Yard for Low Spots

After it rains, take a tour of your yard to look for puddles that indicate low spots that will kill your grass and provide a happy breeding ground for mosquitoes. To fix this problem mark the areas with a stake of a flag and get some good dirt and fill the holes. Don’t worry about covering the grass because it will grow over.

A landscaping service can do this job for you. Expect to pay $10 to $25 an hour for landscaping day labor. Clean dirt that is free of weeds and debris costs around $8 to $15 a cubic yard.

Check Soil Drainage Around Foundation

Make sure soil slopes away from the foundation walls to prevent water from soaking the soil around your foundation and causing leaks and cracks. Use an 8-foot-long stud and level to determine how much slope the land currently has. A landscaping service can check slope and grade where necessary for $20 to $50 an hour.

Clean Out Planting Beds

Prepare flower and veggie bed for spring planting by removing debris, trimming back last year’s dead perennial growth, and adding compost and mulch. To avoid double work, place a compostable bag on a wheelbarrow or garden cart, and fill it with weeds and spent plants as you work through the beds. If you see fungi or bugs, tie the bags and toss in the trash. A landscaping or garden service crew will charge a flat fee of $25 to $50 a month to weed and maintain beds.

Check The Sprinkler System

Get your sprinkler system ready for summer by inspecting each zone to make sure it’s working and covering each zone properly. If you find dry spots, straighten and re-aim any crooked sprinkler heads. Replace heads with broken or worn parts. Turn on each zone individually, and note any problems. Then turn off the system and water supply to make corrections and repairs where needed. Hiring a landscaper or sprinkler installer to check and tune up your sprinkler system costs around $50 -$150, depending on the complexity of the system.

Tune Up The Lawn Mower

Sharpen the cutting blade, add a new spark plug and air filter, and change the oil to make sure you’re ready to tame your lush lawn. Regular spring maintenance ensures a long life for your mower and avoids costly replacement. Run your mower for a minute or two to warm the oil before draining it. Warm oil runs out faster and more completely than cold, sluggish oil. After running the mower, disconnect the spark plug before servicing. A professional lawn mower service tune-up costs about $80.

Check Foundation & Eave Vents for Obstructions & Damage

Your house likes to breathe and has vents that let air circulate through crawl spaces and roof framing to help prevent mold and mildew. These vents have screens to keep out debris and critters. Tour your house to check and clean clogged vents along the foundation walls and under eaves, and repair a broken or missing screen. To make easy repairs, look for premade vent screens at hardware stores and home improvement centers. You can expect to pay a handyman $30- $60 an hour to you chose to let someone else take this on.

Spot Worn & Chipped Exterior Paint

Not all house painting tasks are major. This yearly job involves inspecting your siding and exterior trim for small cracks and chips and repairing spots before moisture can penetrate. Store and label extra paint in airtight containers so you can spot-paint as needed. Keep paint identification numbers on file so you can replace paint if you run out. You will pay $25- $50 an hour for a pro painter to scrape, sand, and spot-paint.

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