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April arrives and suddenly sunlight invades your home. Instead of welcoming the bright beams, you cringe as sootycobwebs, smudgy walls and grungy curtains are exposed in the crisp spring light. Frantic activity ensues. Welcome to the beginning of the busy season for homeowners.
Spring clean inside your home Dust walls and ceilings; remove and wash curtains, blinds and shades; shampoo carpets and upholstered furniture; clean and dust in out-of-the-way places like under beds and behind furniture. Clean tops of cabinets and refrigerator-that greasy dust that builds up in kitchens can take on the permanence of a geologic formation if allowed to accumulate. This type of cleaning isn't only about appearances: Removing dirt and dust will prolong the life of paint jobs, appliances and furniture.
Remove storms and clean windows Do this task when you're sure winter storms are finally over. Remove storm windows and clean your windows both inside and out while you're making the rounds. Clean the storm windows as well before you put them in storage, and fix any cracks or putty damage that may have occurred over the winter.
Bring out signs of spring Bring stored garden furniture and tools out of storage. Dust furniture and lubricate any moving parts. If you didn't clean garden tools prior to storage, clean them now. Also, sharpen shovel and hoe blades, and oil wooden handles.
Clean up garage and storage area The transition from winter to spring is an ideal time to clean the area where you store seasonal items. This area needs attention because the types of things stored here can be poisonous or pose a fire hazard. Make sure gas cans are properly stored, either completely empty or completely filled (half-full gas cans make gas vapor-the most flammable form of gasoline). Make sure fertilizers and pesticides have wintered without spilling or seeping onto shelves. If you need to throw away anything that could be categorized as hazardous waste (such as fertilizers, pesticides, poisons, paint remover and paint) call your local waste department and ask where you can dispose of these toxins properly.
Spring-clean your yard If winter storms regularly leave branches in your lawn and blow leaves into your flowerbeds, now is the time to turn the branches into firewood and the leaves into compost.
Repair cracked cement April is a good month to patch cracked cement walkways and patios if you live in a place with a moderate climate. The freeze/thaw cycle of winter is over, and rainy days will help the patch cure slowly. To patch a crack, widen and undercut the crack and remove all crumbled cement. Follow the patching compound manufacturer's instructions for application.
Patch broken steps If winter worked its magic on your cement stairs, you may be able to epoxy a small chunk of concrete back into place if the break is clean. If not, you can rebuild the step by making a wood form and filling the damaged area with concrete, which is available in small bags for jobs that require more than a bit of patching compound. Pound masonry nails about an inch into the damaged area to give the new concrete something to grip. The form can come off a full day after applying the concrete, but keep the new concrete moist-and stay off of it-for at least five days while it cures.
Take a septicstroll If you have a septic tank, April-or any other wet month-is a good time to do an exterior check on your septic system. Walk the area above your septic tank and drain field. If you notice boggy ground or a bad smell, call a professional. Your tank may need pumping or your drain field may need repair. This is a public health issue, so don't procrastinate if you think you have septic problems.
Check for fire safety Daylight saving time begins this month. Check your smoke detector batteries and fire extinguishers when you set your clocks ahead.
Turn on outdoor water supply If deep frosts are no longer in your future, it may be a good time to turn on your outdoor sprinkling system. Check to make sure it's functioning properly before you actually need to water your garden. Replace broken pipes or sprinkler heads that aren't working properly. Check hoses for cracks and intact washers, and hook them up to exterior faucets. If you have a hose with a few small punctures in it, poke a few more holes in it, buy a cap at the hardware store, and turn it into a soaker hose.
Dispense with drips Any winter wear and tear that leads to a leaky roof is likely to manifest itself during this wet month. If water is making its way into your home from above and the cause isn't obvious after a visual inspection of your roof's exterior, do some exploring. Grab a hammer, some nails and a flashlight, and visit your attic. Look for water stains on trusses, or daylight showing through the hole. Remember that water may flow down a rafter before it drips, so a leaky dining room ceiling a couple feet from the exterior wall could have its origin closer to the peak of the roof. When you find the leak, drive a nail through it to mark the spot on the roof's exterior, and use a temporary measure (such as a bucket) to prevent further damage.
On the next dry day, fix your leaky roof from the exterior side. For small holes, roofing cement is all you'll need. Patch larger holes using flashing, asphalt tiles or whatever material matches the damaged spot | 
