Could it be that our “Long Winter’s Night” is finally coming to an end? I don’t know about you, but it seems like we have been colder and wetter for much longer than my memory will recall. Of course, the memory is not what it once was, but everyone else seems to feel the same way!

If this is spring, and I choose to believe it is, then it is time to shake off the winter blahs and get busy. There is pruning to do and moss to destroy, garden soil to turn and windows to wash. Fortunately it isn’t all about spending money, so today I thought I would suggest a few simple things you might do to make life a little easier or more charming:

Prepare your home for your next vacation or stay-cation

Make sure all door locks and window latches are in working order. In vulnerable locations you can secure those sliding doors and windows with a piece of trim lumber or broomstick cut to fit. The cost of a new deadbolt on that back door could be a small price for some peace of mind.

Replace your washing machine hoses and other supply tubing with a stainless steel mesh hose. No chance of hoses bursting while you are away, which is not that unusual and a real disaster when it happens. The best builders are making this upgraded material a standard in their projects.

Tune up the yard irrigation system, reset timers and check for leaks.

Need more room?

Clean out your home and garage and save the cost of a new addition. Use it or lose it. If you haven’t used it in the last 3-5 years say goodbye. Garage sale, Craig’s list, Salvation Army, just do it.

Waste Management and the Goodwill recycle TVs and computers.

Tax credit and an endless supply of fuel for the barbecue

Now is a great time to install a tankless gas hot water heater. A Federal tax credit of 30 percent up to $1500 is available on most models. And while you are at it, install a gas line to your barbecue. No more gas wasted running to the store to refill the propane tank.

The tax credit applies to other energy saving projects as well, such as replacement windows and upgrading insulation. More information at www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

Spring Maintenance

You can find my Home Maintenance Schedule in the toolbox on our Web site, at www.mcadamsbuilders.com. This is a fabulous month-by-month checklist and calendar to keep your whole home working and looking its best.

Change the smoke and CO2 detector batteries if you did not when Daylight Saving Time started. There is nothing like a whining smoke detector at 4 a.m. to ruin a night’s sleep.

And Most Important, Enjoy Your Home!

Add a trellis or arbor to showcase vines and add street appeal or backyard ambience, or provide a bit of privacy and comfort. It is amazing how a small feature item can bring whole new perspective with a minimum investment of time and money; think about a bubbling fountain in the courtyard beyond the arbor.

Clean and seal your wood deck and enjoy the summer … of course, if it is past refinishing or even becoming unsafe this is a great time to replace it with treated and/or composite materials that will not require as much maintenance.

Len’s Blog

Check it out at www.mcadamsbuilders.com/blog! That is where you can follow along as we remodel homes and find links to my favorite home inspector, window washer, and other service people I have learned to trust over the years.

These examples are offered to start you thinking about your own home and hearth. At the heart of the matter we are all looking for ways to obtain good value while finding joy in our lives. Spring is the season for new beginnings so let’s start right here at home.