Spring in Texas doesn’t ease in gently. One week you’re scraping frost off the windshield. Next, you’re sweating in the driveway wondering why you didn’t service the AC sooner. Add in heavy rain, hail, wind, and shifting clay soil, and you’ve got a short window to get ahead of problems before summer shows up and refuses to leave.
Walk the Property First
Before you grab tools or call anyone, take a good look around the house. Look up and down. Circle the whole structure.
Roof first. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, homeowners should inspect their roof at least twice a year. Spring is one of those times. Winter cold snaps and wind can loosen materials, even if you never had a dramatic storm.
Check the gutters. Clogged gutters are one of the top causes of preventable water damage. Water intrusion ranks among the most common home maintenance problems reported by homeowners. Overflowing gutters dump water right next to the foundation. Texas clay soil expands when wet and shrinks when dry. That movement puts stress on slabs and piers.
Look at the siding and trim. Paint is more than cosmetic, it’s a moisture barrier. Spring humidity creeps up quickly, especially in places like Houston where average relative humidity often stays above 70% in warmer months.
Windows and doors come next. Check caulking. Push gently on frames. Replace torn screens before mosquitoes take over. Texas consistently ranks among the top states for mosquito-borne illnesses, and basic home maintenance helps reduce exposure.
Take notes and don’t rush it.
Pay Attention to Drainage and Foundation
Water control is everything in this state.
After your exterior walk, focus on grading and drainage. The ground should slope away from the home. Even a small dip near the slab can hold water during one of those three-inch spring downpours. According to NOAA data, parts of Texas average between 3 and 5 inches of rainfall per month during peak spring season.
Check for new cracks along the foundation. Hairline cracks happen. Wider ones deserve attention. If doors start sticking or small interior cracks suddenly appear, that can point to movement. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has long documented how expansive clay soils contribute to structural shifts across much of the state.
Test your yard drains. Run water through them and make sure nothing backs up. Clear debris from around downspouts. Extend them if needed so water moves several feet away from the slab.
This isn’t glamorous work. It’s protective work.
Service the HVAC Before You Actually Need It
If you wait until the first 95-degree day to call for AC service, you won’t be the only one. You’ll be in line.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that heating and cooling account for roughly 50% of the average home’s energy use. In Texas, that number can climb even higher during the summer. A neglected system runs longer, works harder, and costs more.
Replace air filters. Most homes need a fresh filter every one to three months, depending on usage and pets. Clear leaves and debris from around the outdoor condenser. Keep at least two feet of open space around it.
Schedule a tune-up. A professional can check refrigerant levels, clean coils, and test electrical components. Small fixes in March prevent breakdowns in July.
While you’re thinking about it, peek into the attic. Make sure insulation hasn’t shifted. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that proper insulation and air sealing can cut heating and cooling costs by about 15% on average.
That’s worth the ladder climb.
Revive the Lawn and Consider New Sod
Midway through spring prep, shift your focus to the yard itself. Winter can leave lawns thin and patchy. Walk across it and notice how it feels underfoot. Spongy spots can signal drainage problems. Bare areas might mean compaction or poor soil quality.
Early to mid-spring is one of the best times in Texas to lay new sod. Soil temperatures are warming, but the brutal summer heat hasn’t arrived yet. Roots have time to establish before facing sustained 100-degree days.
Bermuda remains one of the most common turf choices in Texas because of its heat tolerance. Hardy TifTuf Bermuda grass, in particular, has gained attention for drought resistance. Field trials conducted by university turf programs have shown that certain improved Bermuda varieties can maintain acceptable quality with significantly less irrigation compared to older cultivars. In water-restricted areas, that matters.
Texas periodically faces drought conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor frequently shows large portions of the state in moderate to severe drought during the summer months. Choosing a grass variety bred for water efficiency helps in the long term.
If you’re laying sod, prep the soil properly. Remove old grass and debris. Loosen compacted areas and level the surface. Lay sod tightly, staggering seams like brickwork. Water immediately after installation and keep the soil consistently moist for the first couple of weeks while roots knit into the ground.
A healthy lawn does more than look good. Turfgrass can reduce surface temperatures compared to bare soil and hardscape. Studies have shown that grass surfaces can be significantly cooler than concrete or asphalt under direct sun. In Texas heat, that difference is noticeable.
Check Plumbing and Irrigation Systems
Freezes have hit Texas hard in recent years. Even if pipes survived, fittings and outdoor faucets might have taken a hit.
Turn on exterior spigots and watch for drips. Check under sinks for slow leaks. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, household leaks waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water nationwide each year. Many are small and easily fixed.
Run each irrigation zone. Look for broken sprinkler heads. Adjust spray patterns so water hits grass, not sidewalks or your foundation. The EPA estimates that as much as 50% of water used for outdoor irrigation is wasted due to wind, evaporation, or runoff caused by inefficient systems.
That’s money literally soaking into the wrong places.
Fine-tune your controller for spring conditions. Lawns don’t need the same schedule in April that they will in August.
Handle a Few Interior Tasks Before Summer
Inside the house, finish strong. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries if needed. Vacuum vents and ceiling fans, dust builds up over winter when windows stay closed.
Look for small drywall cracks that may have formed as the house shifted during colder months. Minor repairs now prevent bigger cosmetic issues later.
If you have a fireplace, close the damper and clean out debris. You won’t need it for a while.
Simple things. Quick wins.
Stay Ahead of the Heat
Texas summer is predictable. Long, hot and relentless. Homes that get attention in spring hold up better. Roofs shed water properly. Foundations stay drier. Air conditioners run more efficiently. Lawns establish strong roots before peak heat.
None of this requires perfection. Just awareness and steady effort. Fix what you can and call in help where you need it. Do the work while temperatures are still reasonable and before contractors are booked solid.
Spring in Texas moves fast. If you handle all of this now, you’ll head into summer knowing your home is ready for it.