Spring in Kansas City isn't just the season of baseball, BBQs, and patio weather! This warm (and rainy) month is when the ground has thawed and the trees are blooming, making it your golden opportunity to tackle home maintenance before the summer heat and humidity hit full force. From prepping your AC and cleaning gutters to storm-proofing and getting your lawn in shape, this month's checklist is all about setting your home up for a safe, efficient, and stress-free spring and summer. Let's get to it while the weather's still on our side!

1. Service and Clean the AC Unit

Why: Kansas City summers can be hot, humid, and relentless. Avoid sweating it out later by getting your AC in shape now, before HVAC pros are booked solid. A clean, tuned system also runs more efficiently and can save you money on those steamy summer electric bills.

How to do it:

• Flip the breaker to shut off power to your AC.
• Outside, clear away leaves and gunk around the unit, then use a soft brush or vacuum with a brush attachment to gently clean the fins on the condenser coils.
• For bent fins, use a fin comb or a butter knife to gently straighten them.
• Inside, replace your HVAC filter if it's been more than 30 days.
• Want to go the extra mile? Schedule a licensed HVAC tech to inspect refrigerant levels, clean indoor coils, and test the electrical components. A simple tune-up typically runs $75–$200.

Pro Tip: Mark your calendar to check the air filter every 30 days during summer, as KC's pollen, dust, and cottonwood fluff can clog it fast! A clean filter makes a huge difference in cooling power.

2. Inspect and Repair Window Screens

Why: You'll want to throw open the windows on those crisp spring mornings, but not if bugs are flying in like it's happy hour. Keep mosquitoes and gnats where they belong: outside.

How to do it:

• Walk the house and check for holes or tears in your window and door screens. Double-check that screen frames aren't warped or loose.
• For small holes, you can purchase a cheap screen patch kit. More significant damage may require you to rescreen the frame using mesh from a hardware store or buy a new one. You can also drop them off at a screen repair shop.

Pro Tip: While you're at it, give your windows a deep clean, both inside and out, using a vinegar-water mix and a squeegee. Clean glass means more sunlight and an instant mood boost for the whole household.

3. Tornado and Storm Prep

Why: Spring is peak tornado and hail season in the Midwest, and Kansas City isn't just on the map—it's on the path. Preparing now can protect your property from damage and your family from injury.

How to do it:

• Walk through your emergency plan with everyone in the house. Designate a safe room, preferably the basement or an interior room with no windows.
• Anchor or store outdoor items, such as grills, patio furniture, and trampolines. Lighter items, such as chairs, can be stacked, placed against the exterior wall for added support, or stored in the garage during storms.
• Prepare an emergency kit with flashlights, extra batteries, water, first aid supplies, and a weather radio.

Pro Tip: Sign up for KC area weather alerts on your phone. If you have a storm shelter or safe room, clear it out now; nobody wants to be elbow-deep in Christmas decorations while the tornado sirens are blaring.

4. Check Gutters and Downspouts

Why: Spring means rain, and clogged gutters mean water going where it shouldn't and wreaking havoc. Overflowing gutters can lead to foundation damage, basement leaks, and rotted siding.

How to do it:

• On a dry day, climb a ladder (safely) and remove any sticks, leaves, or debris.
• Use a hose to flush out the gutters and test that water flows cleanly through the downspouts.
• Make sure downspouts drain at least 4–6 feet away from your foundation.
• Inspect for leaky seams and reseal them with exterior-grade silicone caulk.

Pro Tip: While you're up there, take a look at your shingles and flashing. It's much easier (and cheaper) to fix a roof now than when it's actively leaking during a storm.

5. Lawn and Landscape Feeding

Why: Your lawn just woke up from a long winter nap, and it's starving. Encourage lush growth, help crowd out weeds before they take over, and have your lawn be the talk of the neighborhood this summer.

How to do it:

• Apply a balanced fertilizer (or a weed-and-feed product if your yard needs it). Follow the spreader instructions carefully.
• For bare spots, rough up the soil and add grass seed or patch mix.
• In flower beds, mix in compost or slow-release plant food around perennials.

Pro Tip: Mid-to-late April is the ideal time to plant hardy annuals and cold-tolerant vegetables in KC. Have an old bedsheet lying around? You can toss it over these plants during a surprise frost.

6. Check Yard for Low Spots

Why: What are two things no homeowner wants? Dead grass and lingering mosquitoes. Water that collects in low-lying yard areas can cause both problems, so it's essential to clear these areas now before the heat hits.

How to do it:

• After a rain, walk the yard and mark any puddling areas with stakes. Fill them in with clean topsoil using a wheelbarrow and a shovel.
• Don't stress if you bury a little grass, as it will be strong enough to grow through the soil.

Pro Tip: Use fill dirt that is free of weeds and debris to avoid introducing new problems while fixing old ones.

7. Tune Up Your Lawn Mower

Why: A tuned mower makes lawn care faster, easier, and way less frustrating. It also helps avoid mid-season breakdowns.

How to do it:

• Always disconnect the spark plug before doing any maintenance.
• Change the oil and ensure the mower runs for a minute before draining it, as this will help it pour out more easily.
• Replace the spark plug and air filter, and sharpen the blade.

Pro Tip: Store a labeled "mower kit" in the garage with extra oil, a plug, and an air filter so you're not scrambling when it's time to mow.

8. Clean and Prep Planting Beds

Why: Your garden beds need a clean slate before new growth begins. Cleaning up now gives your plants room to thrive and helps prevent pests and disease.

How to do it:

• Remove leaves, sticks, and any leftover dead growth from last season.
• Pull weeds and spread compost or mulch.
• Trim perennials and shape shrubs as needed.

Pro Tip: Keep a wheelbarrow lined with a compostable yard waste bag nearby for quick, efficient, and eco-friendly cleanup.

9. Check Sprinkler System

Why: After winter, sprinkler systems can shift, clog, or break. Ensure you have full coverage before your grass requires regular watering.

How to do it:

• Sketch your yard layout, then turn on each sprinkler zone and watch for broken heads or dry spots.
• Straighten any tilted heads and replace damaged ones.
• Ensure the water system is fully shut off before making repairs.

Pro Tip: If you don't have time, a sprinkler checkup from a KC landscaper typically runs under $150, and can save you from troubleshooting dry patches in July.

10. Spot-Treat Exterior Paint

Why: A few chips in your exterior paint can invite moisture damage, which means expensive repairs down the road. Fixing them early can save you headaches, money, and time.

How to do it:

• Inspect your siding and trim for areas of peeling or chipping paint.
• Sand the area lightly and use touch-up paint to seal it. Make sure the surface is dry and clean before painting.

Pro Tip: Keep your leftover paint in airtight containers (labeled with the room and year) in a climate-controlled area, so it's always ready when you need a quick fix.

Final Thoughts

April might feel unpredictable in Kansas City, but it's the perfect month to lay the groundwork for a smooth, stress-free spring and summer. Tackling these home maintenance tasks now means fewer surprises later, so take it one step at a time, check off what you can, and know that your house deserves the same fresh start that spring brings!

Need recommendations for KC professionals that can help you service your HVAC or prep your lawn? Call or text me at 816-328-2887 for my list of tried and true local experts!