The season's English name has deep roots. Springtime first appeared in texts around 1398. The name alludes to the season as a time when the world springs back into action after winter's rest and new life springs from the earth. Eventually the name was shortened to Spring.

I often use this column to describe ways for you to add to the value of your home, but today, I want you to spring into action and protect the value you currently have.

As is the case with any creation of mankind, your home is subject to deterioration over the years, and along with that process comes an expected depreciation in value. As the owner, it’s up to you to either perform routine maintenance or at least see that it gets done.

Here are some "spring cleaning" chores that you should be thinking about right now that will preserve and enhance the value of your home throughout the remainder of this year:

* Remove any left over leaves and branches from roof and clean out gutters. Left undone, the water in gutters will eventually encourage wood rot, and may breed mosquitos as warmer weather approaches. Leaves piled in valleys on your roof can significantly shorten the life of your shingles.

* Now is a good time to cut all shrubbery back to a level beneath the windows on your home. Overgrown shrubs are an eyesore and detract from your home’s curb appeal.

* If your property suffers from kudzu, spring is when you should plan your attack. Before the new green plants begin to spread, try and locate major roots from last year. Be prepared to cut the base of the plant at first sign of spring growth and apply brush killer to the stalk. I have done this myself and it really has an impact of the kudzu.

* On your home’s exterior, look for decayed or damaged wood and plan a repair. If you have a wood deck, consider a pressure wash and a treatment with a wood preservative before spring usage makes it harder to perform. And if you go to the trouble of renting or borrowing a pressure washer, consider washing your home’s exterior and perhaps the driveway. Washing off algae and stains can make a difference in the way your house looks from the street.

* If you love to cook out like I do, now is the right time to examine your outdoor cooking equipment and get it ready for use. Remember that LP gas tanks have changed for safety in recent years, and you may not be able to get a refill if you own the old type. Find out now.

Spring cleaning traditionally applies to the interior of your home as well, so here are some suggestions you might not have put on your list:

* Check every smoke detector in your home for proper operation. In addition, it’s a good idea to open each unit and vacuum out any cobwebs which may have formed inside the unit. If any unit fails to perform properly, replace it.

* Replace furnace filters and consider having your air conditioner unit checked for proper operation. I know this may cost you a few dollars, but it also may prevent a breakdown later when it’s terribly hot outside. Units which are serviced annually last longer and perform more efficiently.

* If you have circuit breakers in your house, it’s a good idea to "exercise" each breaker once a year by flipping it off and on a couple of times. This makes sure the connections have not frozen up and are operating properly. Research has shown that long periods of inactivity can have an impact on breakers.

* Another spring cleaning chore that many people ignore is a thorough washing of all windows, inside and out. While it’s a big job, it can really make a difference in how much light gets inside your house. And that light makes a difference in how we feel. Try it yourself and see!

My grandmother used to wash all her windows twice a year, but I have never met anyone else that holds to that schedule. For most of us, once a year is plenty.

* Finally, my list of non-traditional spring chores would not be complete if I failed to include a financial clean-up as well.

Spring is a great time to reexamine your current mortgage situation. If your interest rate is too high, or if you are still stuck with some sort of adjustable rate loan that will likely see higher rates in the future, now is the time to do something about it.

Likewise, if you have run up a balance on your home equity line of credit, or you are carrying a balance month to month on your credit card, spring would be a great time to restructure your financing arrangement.

And last, I recommend that you clean. Or at least that you find someone to clean for you.

If you are a real go-getter, you probably started your cleaning this morning at 5:33 a.m. But if not, now is the time to get to work!