March Maintenance - Southwest
Last comfortable month before extreme heat. Finish all outdoor projects now.
March in the Southwest: The Final Countdown
March in the Southwest is bittersweet. The weather is still beautiful—70s, sunny, dry—but experienced homeowners know what’s coming. By April, temperatures start climbing. By May, you’re hitting triple digits. And by June, just walking outside feels like opening an oven.
This is your last comfortable month for outdoor work. Whatever you’ve been putting off, do it now. Once the heat arrives, outdoor projects become miserable or impossible. March is your deadline.
This Month’s Tasks
1. AC Pre-Season Service 🔧🔧
Time: 1 hour homeowner check, plus schedule professional service
This is your most critical task. Your air conditioner is about to become the most important appliance in your home. Make sure it’s ready for months of continuous operation.
Replace or clean filters—this should be monthly in the Southwest. Clear all debris from around the outdoor condenser unit. Trim back any vegetation that’s within two feet. Check that condensate drain lines are clear. Test the system by running it for 30 minutes.
If your AC is more than a few years old or had any issues last summer, schedule professional service now. HVAC technicians get slammed once temperatures hit 100°. Waiting until June means waiting in line.
HVAC issues? → Find an HVAC contractor →
2. Complete Exterior Projects 🔧🔧🔧
Time: Varies by project
This is it—your last chance for comfortable exterior work. Paint, repairs, sealing—whatever you need to do outside, do it now.
Walk around your property and make a list of everything that needs attention. Cracked stucco? Peeling paint? Damaged trim? Leaky faucets? Worn weatherstripping? Tackle them while the weather cooperates.
The Southwest sun destroys exterior surfaces. A good coat of paint and proper sealing extends the life of everything on your home’s exterior.
3. Pool Prep 🔧🔧
Time: 2-3 hours
Swimming season is almost here. Get your pool ready before you need it.
Check pump and filter operation. Inspect for damage or wear. Test water chemistry and balance as needed. Clean the pool and inspect the finish for cracks or damage. Check that all safety equipment is in place and functional.
If you have a pool heater, test it. Nothing’s worse than jumping in expecting warm water and finding ice water because the heater died.
4. Irrigation System Tuning 🔧🔧
Time: 2 hours
Your irrigation system is about to work overtime. Make sure it’s up to the task.
Run every zone and check each sprinkler head and drip emitter. Look for broken heads, clogged nozzles, and leaking connections. Adjust spray patterns for coverage and efficiency. Check your timer settings—update for current conditions and program for summer watering needs.
Water is precious and expensive in the Southwest. An efficient irrigation system saves money and keeps your landscape alive.
5. Final Planting Window 🔧🔧
Time: Varies
March is your last reliable month for planting in the Southwest. Get new trees, shrubs, and landscape plants in the ground now so roots can establish before summer stress.
Choose drought-tolerant, heat-adapted plants whenever possible. Native species require less water and maintenance. Add mulch around new plantings to retain moisture and moderate soil temperature.
Once April arrives, it’s too hot for most new plantings to establish successfully.
6. Weatherstripping and Sealing 🔧
Time: 1-2 hours
Before you start running the AC constantly, make sure your home is sealed tight. Walk around and check all weatherstripping on doors and windows. Replace any that’s worn, compressed, or damaged.
Seal gaps around windows, doors, pipes, and wires with caulk or foam. Check attic access hatches and whole-house fan covers. Every gap you seal is cool air you keep inside and hot air you keep outside.
A well-sealed home costs less to cool and stays more comfortable.
7. Window Treatment Check 🔧
Time: 1 hour
In the Southwest, window treatments are about more than privacy—they’re essential for energy efficiency.
Inspect blinds, shades, and curtains. Make sure they’re in good condition and functioning properly. Consider adding reflective window film to west- and south-facing windows. When summer sun hits, close blinds and shades to block heat before it enters.
A few hundred dollars in window treatments can save thousands in cooling costs.
8. Service and Stock Up 🔧
Time: 2 hours
Once summer arrives, you won’t want to be running errands in 110° heat. Use March to stock up on supplies.
Change all your HVAC filters and buy extras—change them monthly through summer. Stock up on pool chemicals. Fill propane tanks for grills. Buy mulch and gardening supplies. Get your cars serviced.
A little preparation now means fewer trips out in the brutal summer heat.
The Bottom Line
March is your final comfortable month in the Southwest. Use it wisely. Service your AC, finish outdoor projects, prepare your pool and irrigation, and seal your home tight. Once the heat arrives, you’ll be spending a lot more time indoors. Make sure everything outside is ready to handle months of extreme temperatures. This isn’t a drill—summer is coming. Be ready.