Keeping on top of routine maintenance or other projects can be a daunting task. But, Angie’s List can help. Drawing on the expertise of Angie’s List members and the contractors and companies they’ve put on the list, Angie has put together a March Checklist to help you get it all done this month.

• Scrutinize your crawl space or basement, if you have one, for water accumulation or excessive moisture, and keep an eye out for water damage on the sub-floor and joists beneath kitchen, bathroom and laundry areas.

• Check the valve where water enters your house, outdoor faucets and valves to toilets as well as bathroom and kitchen sinks. Turn each off and on several times to identify any leaks.

• Using your garden hose, wash your siding and deck to remove film left by rains over the winter months. Attach a soft-bristled, long-handled car brush to the hose for some extra help. Use a mild cleanser to get those tough to clean spots.

• Give your roof a “once-over.” Depending on the style and pitch of your roof, and your feelings about heights, you may want to use a ladder and a pair of binoculars, look for missing or broken shingles and harm caused by ice or wind. If you don’t feel comfortable on a ladder, call a professional before the busy season begins.

• Remove wet leaves and debris from your deck, front porch and around your house on a regular basis. Allowing the debris to accumulate can trap water, lead to staining or mold build-up, as well as create an ideal environment for pests like termites.

• Clean and lubricate hinges, rollers and tracks on garage doors with a light household oil – don’t use petroleum-based lubricants. You can call a professional to take care of this, as well as service the opener mechanism itself. Don’t attempt to service the opener mechanism yourself. Your garage door opener can be one of the more dangerous appliances around your house.

• The first day of spring is March 21. Get a head start on spring cleaning by making a list of what areas of your home you need to freshen up. This is a great time to call service companies that specialize in air duct cleaning, carpet cleaning, chimney cleaning, house cleaning, landscaping, and window cleaning.

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