Spring maintenance tips
exterior
The exterior of your home is typically designed with “maintenance free” materials; however, that term is rather misleading. Even the most maintenance free materials still need some basic cleaning and repair to keep them in the best shape possible.
Start by doing a perimeter check of the entire house, top to bottom. Visual inspections are usually good enough; however, if you see something that doesn’t look right have a closer look and always hire a professional for any items that you are not familiar with.
Here is a list of items you will want to check on the exterior of your home:
Shingles
Do a visual inspection of the roof to ensure no shingles are missing or out of place. High winter winds can sometimes send shingles flying. If any shingles are missing or damaged, contact a professional to repair and replace.
Eaves and downspouts
Drainage is very important for a home and is often neglected. Make sure there are no leaks in the eaves and that the downspouts are down and aimed away from your home.
Air conditioner
If you use a cover, remove it. Hose down the entire unit removing any debris such as leaves and cobwebs. A clean A/C will run more efficiently and prolong the life of the unit.
Exterior vents
During the winter small critters will sometimes find refuge in your exterior vent openings. Dryer, furnace, and air intake vents should be cleaned out thoroughly to minimize any fire hazards.
clean out garbage bins
You’ll thank yourself in the summer for cleaning out the garbage bins in the spring. Hosing down the interior of the bins stops mould and other harmful bacteria from stinking up the neighbourhood.
sump pump
Reattach your sump hose to the sump discharge. Run the hose to the edge of the property to ensure the water runs away from the house or use a splash pad.
deck
Replacing worn out boards and cleaning and resealing your deck will prolong its life. Scrub with a stiff brush and a light cleaner to remove any flaking stain or dirt. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry before adding a sealer or stain.
landscaping
Low areas in the yard or next to the foundation should be filled. Landscaping should always be sloped away from the house to stop any foundation damage or flooding.
Caulking and seals
The cold winter weather has a tendency to crack or harden the caulking around exterior windows, doors, and vents. Inspect all the seals on the exterior and replace them as necessary. This will help keep your home water-tight and reduce energy loss.
interior
Of course spring is known as the cleaning season, but there are some important maintenance items that you might be missing on the inside of your home that will not only keep your home more efficient, but may also save your life.
Here is a list of items you will want to check on the interior of your home:
detectors
Change out the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This is an easy and potentially lifesaving tip. Even if the batteries are not completely drained, it’s better to change them out than to take the risk.
Fire extinguisher
If you don’t have one, you should! Having an up-to-date fire extinguisher could be the difference between your house burning down and a small kitchen fire. Read the maintenance instructions on the side of the extinguisher for steps on how to check if it’s in good working order.
hrv
The HRV (heat recovery ventilator) is basically like the lungs of your house. It’s important to keep your lungs clean by regularly cleaning the filters. The HRV has 3 filters (2 small pre-filters and 1 large core filter). These can be removed and rinsed with warm soapy water. Allow to dry and re-install. Be sure to unplug your HRV before servicing.
Take pride in your neighbourhood
Spring is a time to get outside, enjoy each other’s company and bask in the sunlight that was missing during the winter. The melting of the snow uncovers the beauty that will take shape in the summer, but it also uncovers the garbage and litter on the boulevards of our neighbourhoods. Take some time this spring to help out your community by picking up some of the litter that didn’t make it into the bins. You’ll feel great and it will encourage your neighbours to pitch in.
We only have one planet so let’s keep it clean!