by The U.S. National Archives

http://www.pioneercredit.com/newsletters/articles/archive/spring_cleaning.asp

There are a few things that you can do to prepare for summer that will help save you some money.

If you have central air or a window air conditioner now would be a good time to inspect them. Your local utility company will send someone out for maintenance for a fee. Even though there is a charge it will help your unit run more efficiently and they can also catch any potential problems it may have.

To make sure your deck makes it through another summer you may need to put a coat of water seal on it. If there are any boards that are in really bad shape you may need to replace them to prevent an injury.

These same tasks can apply to your fences. Apply weather protection and replace any broken boards to insure the life of the fence.

Your grill can be the centerpiece for a successful summer. Make sure you inspect it thoroughly and give it a good scrub down. If using propane, check all hoses for any leaks and make sure you have a full tank. Sand off any rust and clean the outside of your grill. You can even use a heat tolerant spray paint to give your grill a new look. Replacing the lava rocks and grease trap will help avoid flare-ups that could lead to burnt food.

If you didn’t do so before winter than there are a few things that you need to do to maintain your lawn mower. Replace any gas that was still in the tank. You may want to sharpen your blade, you can take it in to a hardware store and they can do it for you. Dull blades tear your grass, which could lead to diseased grass and a whole lot more expensive problems.

The spring and summer rains can bring problems if you don’t have adequate drainage.

It’s a good time to check your sump-pump or even replace one that is not working properly.

These are just a few steps that can be taken now to prevent you from having to spend more later.