Spring is for more than cleaning. As we exit a particularly punishing rainy season, now is a good time to be proactive about some work around the house to prepare for the rest of the year. Remember, maintenance is always cheaper than repairs. Here are dpaul’s tips for the season.

Clean the windows. Winter rains leave spotting, detritus in corners, and can have damaging effects on seals. At a minimum, clean windows will let in more light. Getting up close and personal with your windows will help you determine whether it’s time to swap out old, drafty ones for more energy efficient versions.

Test your air conditioning. If you have AC, don’t wait until the first hot day to fire it up. Turn the unit on to ensure it’s blowing cool air. If anything seems off, it’ll be much easier to get an HVAC company to come out now rather than when they’re slammed with urgent requests.

Clean the gutters and downspouts. This is a twice-annual task, best done in spring and fall. Clear out any leaves or other matter that may have collected to ensure that any last spring rain can flow freely away from your home’s foundation. Now is also a good time to have a plumber check the lines going in to the sewer. An ounce of prevention prevents much bigger headaches later.

Inspect and refinish decks. Battering winds and heavy rain and hail was likely hard on your deck or exterior stairway, so it’s time for a little TLC. Start by sweeping it clean and removing any leaves or debris from between boards. Look for loose boards and tighten or replace the screws to keep them in place. Then, sprinkle water on the deck’s boards. If it beads up, your deck is in good shape. If it soaks in, it’s probably time to reseal it — after the rains have finished.

Walk the Roof. Even if you don’t have a deck, everyone has a roof, and it probably took a serious beating this winter. Contact a roofer to come and conduct any maintenance. Again, it’ll be much easier to get one out now, when weather is drier, than when the rains come back later in the year and new leaks abound.