Now that winter has come and gone, it’s time to stop hibernating and start enjoying the outdoors again. Kick off the warm season by tackling some spring cleanup outside your house. Be sure to click on the Project Shopping List to stock up on everything you need to prep for spring.

Step 1: Clean Out Your Gutters

Check your gutters. Clogged gutters can cause damage to your home when water doesn’t flow away from the foundation. Use a ladder to get onto the roof, and then remove leaves and twigs with gloved hands and/or a large gutter scoop. Place the debris in a trash bag, carefully dropping it to the ground when it’s full. Use a hose to flush out the gutters after you’re done cleaning. With the hose running, you’ll also find any leaks that need to be repaired.

If you find that you do need to make repairs, you can patch a leaky gutter yourself. Scrub the inside of the gutter around the hole with steel wool. With metal snips, cut a patch of metal flashing that is slightly larger than the hole. Use a putty knife to coat the back of the metal patch with asphalt flashing cement or gutter patch and press into place. Smooth any adhesive that oozes out with gloved hands. Get detailed information on gutter maintenance.

Step 2: Clean Up Your Yard