It is the start of a new year, and winter is still very much upon us.
While we are still in the middle of it and are a few months away from saying goodbye to the cold and snow, it certainly wouldn't hurt to already think about preparing for the next seasons this year.
Spring is up next after winter, so it makes sense to make preparations for it especially in terms of maintaining the home.
Indeed, the arrival of spring brings more than just the welcome warmth and light of the sun.
It also means that there is a lot of work that needs to be done, things that need to be fixed because of what winter has brought.
In and around your home, you can find the plants that have died during the cold season and the harshness pf the season, the gutter that seems to be overflowing with dead leaves, and others that demand your attention.
There is definitely a lot of work to be done and a few home maintenance tips for the arriving springtime is going to be to very helpful.
The following is a short list of those tips:

• Check out the low areas around the house, especially the one that's near the foundation.
  It has to be filled up with some compacted soil.
  Be sure that it is thoroughly filled out because rains during the springtime could cause some flooding in the yard and eventually do damage to the foundation of the home.
  If the flooding happens in the summertime, then it could also serve as a breeding ground for insects during the summer when water collects on those low areas.
  
• Gutters should be one of the concerns, so you need to go and see if it has any leaks.
  If there are any leaks, then it could lead to accumulated water in various spaces around the house and even the basement of the home.
  The downspouts that lead from the gutters are clear of any trash or debris and does not drain directly or even near the foundation of your home.
  
• Do not forget to check out your chimney.
  See if there is any damage to its exterior, and it would be advisable to get the services of a certified chimney sweep to inspect and clean it up.
  
• The firewood that you have stored near your home during the winter season should be moved a little farther away when springtime comes.
  The desirable distance should be at lest two feet from the main structure and about one and a half feet from the ground.
  
• Check out the air conditioning system if there are any damages.
  Get the services of a qualified cooling and heating contractor to clean and service the outside unit.
  A service call that's done on a yearly basis would allow the air conditioning unit to perform and operate at its peak level.
  
• Every piece of lawn equipment should be checked, whether it is gas or battery powered.
  It should be prepared for use during the spring time and more so when the summer season arrives.