Spring is here. Here’s how you can prep your home and car for it.

Spring is officially here, and with it comes the annual ritual of cleaning out, freshening up, and tackling to-do lists. But before you get too deep into patio furniture and flower beds, it's worth adding a few important items to your checklist that can protect your home and car when spring weather gets unpredictable.

We've pulled together Branch's best tips for the season. A little effort now can go a long way toward avoiding bigger headaches—and bigger expenses—down the road.

Get your car road-trip-ready

Winter is hard on vehicles, and spring is a great time to give yours some attention. Here's where to start:

• Check your battery. Have it tested—especially if you've noticed any difference in how your car starts or runs. Cold temperatures can strain batteries that are already on their way out. Keeping a pair of jumper cables in your trunk is always a smart backup.
  
  
• Refill your fluids. Check and top off engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid. And as temperatures climb, make sure your refrigerant levels are ready to keep you cool.
  
  
• Inspect your brakes. If you've been hearing any squealing or grinding, spring is a good time to have them looked at, before road trip season hits.
  
  
• Clear your visibility. Check your windshield wipers and wiper fluid, and replace wipers if they're leaving streaks. Take a look at your headlights, tail lights, and backup camera lens while you're at it. Spring storms can come on fast, and you'll want to be ready.
  
  
• Check your tires. Inflate to the recommended pressure and do a quick visual for wear or damage. If you've been running winter tires, it's time to make the switch back to all-seasons.

…and emergency-ready

• Garage or cover your car. Parking in a garage or under a cover protects your car from pollen buildup, but more importantly, from hail, flying debris, and storm damage. If severe weather is in the forecast, try not to leave your car exposed.
  
  
• Update your emergency kit. A well-stocked kit includes jumper cables, flares, a flashlight, a blanket, and a first aid kit. Keep your gas tank at least half-full during storm season—in a real emergency, you'll want to be able to move quickly.
  
  
• Know your evacuation routes. If you live in an area prone to flooding or severe storms, familiarize yourself with local evacuation routes and keep a backup in your car. The fastest route is sometimes the first one to close.

Your spring home maintenance to-dos

Spring is prime time for home maintenance—and catching small problems early is almost always cheaper and easier than dealing with them after a storm season passes through.

Roof, gutters, and exterior

• Clear your gutters and downspouts. Remove debris that's built up over winter so water can flow freely. Clogged gutters can push water back toward your roof and foundation, which can lead to damage that's much harder to fix than a simple cleanout.
  
  
• Inspect your roof. Winter weather—like ice, snow, and wind—can loosen or damage shingles even when it's not obvious from the ground. If you're not comfortable getting up there yourself, hiring a licensed roofing professional for an inspection is worth it. Catching a small problem early can prevent a much larger water damage issue later.
  
  
• Trim your trees. Cut back limbs hanging over or near your roof, and keep an eye out for dead or weakened branches that could come down in a storm. For larger trees or branches, it's worth consulting a certified arborist—they can tell you whether a tree is structurally healthy or at risk of falling.
  
  
• Walk your exterior. Check siding, window seals, door frames, and your foundation for cracks or gaps that opened up over the freeze-thaw cycle. Addressing these early helps keep water out.

Inside the house

• Inspect for leaks and water damage. Check your water heater, visible pipes, and sump pump for signs of dripping or wear. If your water bills have been running higher than normal, that can be an early sign of a hidden leak. Know where your main water shutoff valve is, and make sure everyone in your household does too.
  
  
• Install a whole-home surge protector. An electrician can do this, and it's one of the more underrated home improvements—protecting your appliances and reducing your risk of electrical fires during spring storms.
  
  
• Check your smoke detectors and fire extinguisher. Change the batteries, test each detector, and make sure you have a working fire extinguisher accessible on each floor. Spring is also a good time to confirm your carbon monoxide detectors are functioning.
  
  
• Consider a sump pump. If your home is prone to basement flooding, a sump pump can be a worthwhile investment—particularly heading into a rainy season. If you already have one, test it to make sure it's working.
  
  
• Use smart home tech. Smart leak detectors are an increasingly affordable way to catch water problems early. Placed near water heaters, under sinks, or in basements, they send real-time alerts to your phone if they detect moisture—often before any visible damage has occurred.

Branch has your back

We'll send weather alerts and updates when severe conditions are heading your way, but the best way to stay connected is to download the Branch insurance app. It keeps your policy info accessible, makes it easy to ask questions, and lets you file a claim the moment it happens, without hold times.

In the meantime, happy spring cleaning!