Spring
Spring is an important time for home maintenance. It’s not called Spring Cleaning for nothing. Pay special attention to the exterior of your home now that it has survived winter and is preparing for summer heat and, in some parts of the country, harsh humidity. Canada is known to have two extreme temperatures, and especially London Ontario as we are in the snow belt region.
Exterior drainage: Make sure rainwater runs off the roof and away from the house. Puddles should not be left in your yard for more than a day. You have a few options if water remains or moves toward your foundation. First and foremost, inspect your gutters. It could be a faulty spout or a loose connection; they could also simply require cleaning. Second, you can grade the area around your home yourself with dirt. You can have professionals come out and raise the pavement so that it drains away from your house.
Clean Gutters: Fall is a month where leaves fall to the ground. If you have a property with a lot of mature trees expect your gutters being full of leaves and other debris from the seasonal changes. Take the time to make sure your gutters are clean – this helps the fall of rain water away from your home and prevents causing unknown damage.
Exterior of your home: Take a walk around your home and look for paint chipping, damage to the sidings from the winter, and damage to the bricks. By keeping an eye out for these things it will help you be on top of things – especially when you unexpectedly plan on selling your home. Take a close look around your home and make any necessary repairs. Check the foundation for any cracks as well. Many of your problems can be solved with a proper monitoring system. Deal with issues before they become big.
Air Conditioning: Canada gets cold in winter, snow, ice and other debris can become an obstacle. Take the time to protect your Air Conditioning unit – many people will place a large board on top to protect it and some also buy an air conditioning unit cover. During the spring season do a maintenance check and it is best that it is done by a professional. Just like anything care translates into longer life and a more effective product.
Damaged window screens: Prepare yourself for the summer season ahead of time. The best way to deal with bugs and other insects is having screens that are intact and purposely. Plus imagine ripped screens and how they will make your home look.
Clear dead plants: Spring is the start of your gardening season. Take the time to seed your lawn, fertilize it, and take the time to prepare your flower gardens. Take the time to remove anything dead and awful looking and start fresh. Plants can weasel their way into cracks and holes on your home’s exterior, causing damage and shortening its lifespan. Stop it before it becomes a problem. Pay close attention if you have decorative vines on the exterior.
Inspect roofing: Inspect your roof– this can simply be done by looking up and walking around your property. Repair as needed and you may need a professional. Let professionals take care of this and do not risk your life.
Summer
Summer is an excellent time to pay attention to the exterior of your home maintenance plan, as well as your lawn and garden. It’s also ideal for leaving the garage door open and utilizing the extra daylight to work on any manly projects you’ve been putting off.
Check grouts: Check on the grouts in the washrooms, kitchen, and anywhere else you have tiles. This regular practice will help prolong the life of your tiled surfaces and just looks better.
Inspect plumbing: Everything has its own life time. Walk around your home and check the kitchen faucets, faucets in the washrooms, and look/assess any exposed plumbing and make sure there is no water leakage. Be on top of everything – this will help you deal with issues before they become big.
Insect problems: Summer is their perfect home environment. You won’t have to look too hard to find any insect problems. Ants, spiders, and moths are all common and relatively easy to control. Keep cobwebs at bay, ant poison on hand, and all doors securely closed.
Clean and repair deck/patio: It usually just needs to be washed after winter – this will help keep things clean and look good.. A deck may also need to be re-stained. Also, inspect for any loose boards or posts and make any necessary repairs.
Clean out window wells: You have window wells if you have a basement. Everything from leaves to trash to animals can get down there.
Check dryer vent, other exhaust vents: Check that the exhaust is coming out of the dryer while it is running. It should have a pleasant scent of fresh laundry. Check for blockages as thoroughly as possible if there isn’t much exhaust. You may require the services of a professional. Vacuum the lint from the dryer’s hose as well.
Clean garage. Summer ritual should include cleaning out the garage. Keeping it clean and tidy will extend its life, and it is frequently neglected in terms of regular maintenance. You should actually clean it more because of all the extra dust it collects from the manly projects you’re working on.
Fall
Fall is an in-between season in which you finish up your summer home maintenance tasks while also preparing your home for winter. Cold, snow, and rain can wreak havoc on a home, so don’t put off winter preparation.
Winterize air conditioning systems: Window units should be removed and stored. Cover the outside unit with a tarp or plastic sheeting and secure it with bungee cords if you have central air.
Get heating system ready for winter: Examine your windows and doors for any leaks, which can cost you an arm and a leg. Check that heating vents are not blocked by furniture and that they are open. Get your furnace serviced/inspected at least once every two years, preferably once a year.
Outdoor water faucets: Make sure to turn off and flush your outdoor water faucets. Also take the time to flush hoses and store them.
Chimney cleaned: Spring or fall – hire a professional and get your Chimney cleaned
Sump pump: Test your sump pump on a regular basis. I would also recommend having a back system for your sump pump in the event it fails, the battery fails, or the power goes off.
Check Driveway: Check the driveway of your home and repair any damages. Remember curb appeal is extremely important when you are thinking of selling your house. If you have an asphalt drive – maybe consider re-sealing it.
Winter
Winter is a great time to go through the interior of your home maintenance plan and look for any minor details you may have overlooked or noticed. Spending time outside can be hard – so take the time to repair things inside.
Icicles: Icicles should not be allowed to grow, no matter how much the kids want you to. They are not only a hazard to those standing beneath them, but they are also extremely heavy and can cause damage to your property. When they melt, they can also cause water damage to your foundation. Your home and family are more important than the icicles.
Test your outlets: When working with electricity, you must always exercise extreme caution. You can, however, do a couple of things on your own. Check that all of the outlets work; if not, you can rewire them yourself. Look for youtube how to videos for help or consult your local electrician.
Doors: Go through the home and inspect all your door handles/screws and make sure everything is clean and tightly secured.
Clean showerheads: Clean showerheads from sediments and this will help prolongs its life and maintain a proper water pressure level.
Basement: Basements are notorious for being overlooked, especially if they are primarily used for storage. Dust them off, clean any windows, check for mould, and so on. At least once a year, perform a thorough inspection of your basement.
Take the time to do home maintenance. Be on top of everything and always be prepared for the unknowns. These regular tasks will assist in keeping your home clean, efficient, and always ready for family/friend visitations, and most important ready for sale when needed. Regular maintenance will also help lower the cost by reducing the amount of major projects that you might have had to hire a professional. This keeps your pocket safe and your family. Contact us today for a Free Home Valuation.
