Spring Maintenance Tips

April 14, 2025 by trudilee

Spring is quickly arriving at Lake Tahoe. Your approach to care and upkeep should change as the seasons change. Your home isn’t just a place to live – it’s an investment. These tips can help you prepare your home after the long Lake Tahoe winter.

Service Your Heating System

To ensure the heating system performs optimally next winter, change filters: Start by changing out the air filters to ensure the system runs efficiently, improving air quality and reducing strain on your unit.

It is easier to find a technician to service your heating system after winter. This includes checking refrigerant levels, inspecting ducts, and making sure the system operates smoothly as you transition from winter to summer.

Roof and Gutters

Lake Tahoe winters can take a toll on the roof and gutters of your home. Snow and ice can cause damage or create blockages that can lead to water damage when it rains.

Check for damage: Inspect your roof for missing shingles, cracked tiles, or any areas that may have been weakened by snow and ice. Consider having a professional roofing expert perform a detailed inspection.

Clean gutters and downspouts: Ensure that gutters are clear of leaves, twigs, and debris that could cause water to back up and damage your home’s foundation. This simple step can prevent significant issues down the road.

Check for Drafts

Drafts that occur in windows and doors can cause energy inefficiencies and drive up heating costs. Spring is a great time to address these issues before the hot weather sets in. Drafts can impede your ability to keep your house cooler during summer.

Inspect seals and weatherstripping: Look around your windows and doors for any wear or cracks in the seals. If you notice any, it’s time to replace them. Tight seals help maintain indoor temperatures and lower energy costs.

Clean window treatments: Dust and dirt tend to accumulate over the winter. Clean your drapes, blinds, and shades so they don’t just look great but also function better when you need them most.

Defensible Space Planning

In addition to inspecting irrigation systems to ensure they are working properly, you will want to examine your landscape to create defensible space to mitigate wildfire risk.

The first five feet from your home is the most important in planning for defensible space during wildfire season. Keeping the area closest to buildings, structures, and decks clear of growth will prevent embers from igniting materials that can spread the fire to your home.

The majority of homes lost to wildfire are ignited by flying embers. Embers can travel miles ahead of the active front of wildfires. Use hardscape like gravel, pavers, or concrete and avoid combustible bark or mulch.

Remove all dead and dying plants, weeds, and debris (leaves, needles, etc.) from your roof, gutter, deck, porch, stairways, and under any areas of your home. Remove all branches within 10 feet of any chimney or stovepipe outlet. Limit combustible items (like outdoor furniture and planters) on top of decks.

Relocate firewood and lumber to a place far away from any structures. Replace combustible fencing, gates, and arbors attached to the home with noncombustible alternatives.

Regularly clear dead or dry vegetation and create space between trees. During times of drought when watering is limited, pay special attention to clearing dead or dying material. Trim trees regularly to keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees and your home.

Spring is the perfect time to work outdoors before the heat of summer sets in. Living in Lake Tahoe allows you to enjoy being in close proximity to the natural surroundings. However, taking time to minimize fire risk, checking on gutters, windows, filters and irrigation will ensure you can enjoy the amazing summer that is right around the corner.

Contact me today for information about available homes for sale in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee. Wishing you a happy holiday season at Lake Tahoe!