Spring Cleanup: The 10-Point Checklist for Shore Homeowners

In New Jersey, spring is your reward for winter. The days are longer, the weather is warmer and it just keeps getting better en route to summer. Living by the Jersey Shore makes spring even more blissful because you’re already where everyone wants to be. That said, a home by the ocean requires a little extra spring cleaning to enjoy the season in style, including:

1. Power Washing

Whether you “sea” it or not, the exterior of your home is likely covered in salt spray from the ocean—especially after winter, when storms churn up high surf. Your siding needs a scrubbing, and certainly not by hand. A power washer paired with the right cleaning solution will help to restore curb appeal and minimize the corrosion that might occur when salt is left to stand.

2. Window Cleaning

Power washing brings the brawn, while window cleaning adds finesse. It’s like going through a car wash and then getting your car detailed. After power washing, rain spots and salt spray on the windows will stand out even more, making them easier (though no less laborious) to address.

3. Deck Cleaning

If your home has an outdoor deck, consider giving it a quick power wash as well. The wood may also need oiling to preserve its finish and/or painting for a more noticeable refresh. Ongoing deck inspections and maintenance are all the more important by the Shore, where mold, moisture, moss and sunlight can take a toll on wood.

4. Plumbing De-Winterizing

An outdoor shower is another amenity unique to luxury homes, and one that might sit dormant in winter. Similarly to a lawn sprinkler system, it requires specific de-winterization steps the first time it’s turned on in spring. The same goes for your in-home water filtration system if you have been away from the home during the winter months.

5. Landscaping

Seeing your lawn come to life in spring is one of the simple pleasures of being a homeowner. The same goes for your garden and the perimeter around your home. If you love landscaping as an amenity but not necessarily as a hobby, the Shore has some of the best landscaping companies in the country. They can assist with cleaning out garden beds, waking up the lawn from winter and scheduling plantings for spring and summer.

6. Outdoor Furniture

Whether you have covered your outdoor furniture or brought it inside, the start of spring is undoubtedly the signal to start setting up for summer by the Shore. Even through the rain and lingering cold snaps, you’ll still have the benefit of enjoying the first warm days and nights right outside your home. And, you’ll be ready to relax in full swing come summer. 

7. Outdoor Grill

Speaking of summer, it’s time to fire up the grill. But before you throw those burgers on, you’ll want to clean it. Typically, that means starting it up, closing it and letting the grill cook itself for 30 minutes or more. Then, open it back up, soak a brush or sponge and scrub away what’s left. Empty it out, and you’re ready to get to grilling.

8. HVAC

Heating your home through winter can lead to a loss of refrigerant and difficulty keeping your home adequately warm. Left unattended, the issue carries over to summer and leads to weak or broken air conditioning. A professional HVAC check-up is generally a good idea each spring and will usually include a much-needed filter change for fresh air and a fully operating system

9. Bike & Boat Prep

We’re officially on to the fun stuff. With your spring checklist almost complete, you are now ready to dust off the bike, tune up the boat and enjoy the sunshine. Between the walkability of our beach communities, the calm, winding waterways, the Atlantic Ocean and roughly 130 miles of coastline to explore, there is no living like Shore living.

10. Luxury Upgrades

Spring is an annual reminder of why we call the Jersey Shore home. Feeling inspired? Make it even more rewarding by continually investing in your property. With CMM Service Plus, you have a team of NJ custom home builders at the ready to assist with ongoing maintenance (including everything on this checklist), home improvements and special projects.