With Spring just around the corner and the cold months of December finally a distant memory, now is the perfect time to tick off some home maintenance jobs to get your house prepared for the warmer weather.

1. Check your gutters

Take a walk around your home and check your gutters and drains for any obvious damage caused by bad winter weather – especially snow and ice. Telltale signs include; cracks or holes, plants growing, stained side panels and overflowing water.

Don't forget to clear any debris like leaves and moss from your gutters to keep them flowing freely and moving water away from your property. If you're not confident doing this yourself and want to be sure it's a thorough job, why not hire a handyman to come and help?

2. Tidy the garden

Winter might seem like an odd time to start working on your garden but by prepping now, you can ensure that come summer – your outdoor space is fully formed and ready to enjoy.

Tidy up your flower beds and borders by removing any dead plants and fallen leaves – these are great additions if you have a compost heap. When your planting areas are back to soil, add a layer of compost to help fertilise the ground and encourage growth later in the year.

Once you've got the basics sorted, it's time for the fun job of planning your flowers and bushes and ordering bulbs and seeds. It's also a perfect opportunity to plant any seeds that have a longer growth period.

3. Deep clean your floors

With visitors to your home throughout the festive period and a variety of winter weather, the flooring in your hallway and reception rooms can take a bit of a battering. Regular sweeping, mopping and hoovering will help keep this at bay but why not treat your floors to a deep clean?

The type of floor you have will affect how you can get that new floor feeling – be sure to do your research as using the wrong method may cause more harm than good.

4. Reseal any exterior woodwork

Spring is the perfect time of year to consider your outdoor woodwork and structures and take some steps to repair any damage caused in the colder months. Resealing your woodwork on structures like decking or pergolas once a year will significantly increase their quality and life span and help to avoid rotting or fading. It will also keep your woodwork waterproof from any spring showers heading your way.

Before applying your sealant, prep your base by repairing any chips or scratches, cleaning and sanding. You're then ready to apply your choice of product based on the type of wood you have and the finish you'd like to achieve. These could be wood oils, stains or sealants and will each have different application methods so be sure to check the details before starting.

5. Check your roof

Checking your roof regularly is essential to keep leaks at bay and your home protected whatever the weather. Carrying out regular checks should be part of your routine as the sooner you can spot any damage, the lesser the impact is likely to be.

The key areas to check on your roof are the inside, tiles and flashing/guttering. To carry out an inside check, head to your attic and look for signs of damage such as sagging, water marks, dark patches and light coming through. If you spot any of these, while DIY is possible, it's recommended to check with a roofing provider.

Roof tiles becoming damaged isn't rare but does need attention as they will not only leave your property open to the elements but can also harm you or your family if they fall. Take a walk around your property and use a torch and/or binoculars to check your tiles – this can also be done on a ladder but be sure to use proper safety practices to avoid injuring yourself.

Any additions to your roof such as skylights or chimneys will be sealed with metal strips, called flashing, to make the area waterproof. Over time and with exposure to bad weather, flashing can start to slip out of place to check for any signs of movement and rusted and arrange to replace any areas that require it. Make sure your flashing is still sitting tight against your roof and replace any cracked caulk with a waterproof silicon sealant – these are available at most DIY stores but again, if you're unsure then the best step is to hire a professional.