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    Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

    Topics: Tips & Tricks, Home Maintenance
    Posted on March 28, 2017 by Kyle Temple

    Spring brings showers, flowers, and a number of home maintenance tasks to complete on the heels of harsh Edmonton winters. Heavy winter snow, ice, wind, and rain can wreak havoc on roofs, foundations, and house exteriors.

    Follow these handy tips for getting your home ready for the season.

    Spring Home Maintenance Checklist Picking Twigs imageDitch the Debris

    You can’t really assess winter damage until you get rid of yard debris. Start by removing dead branches, leaves, and trash that has collected in drains, gutters, downspouts, and flower beds. Removing debris not only exposes grass, shrubs, and foundations—but it also allows the sun to shine in and dry up areas soaked by cold Canadian downpours.

    Locate Hidden Leaks

    Icy weather can cause interior and exterior pipes and plumbing to freeze and thaw at the first sign of spring. You can check for hidden leaks by turning on an exterior faucet and trying to stop the water with your thumb or finger. If the water stops easily, you may have a faulty pipe.

    Another sign of leaking pipes is a higher water bill; if your bill is excessive, you’re losing water. Call the utility company and the plumber.

    Repair Renegade Roofing

    At a glance, you can tell if there are missing or broken shingles, rotting fascia, or exposed nails; but a professional roofing company can detect serious water and wind damage. Missing shingles or bent metal flashing could signal damage to your roof’s decking, a plywood substrate.

    Don’t put off roofing repairs that can cause serious leaks to your home’s interior. Don’t forget the gutters—remove leaves and debris from clogged gutters and downspouts to channel rainwater away from your home’s roof and fascia, and add longer life to the exterior.

    Fix Foundation Leaks

    Exterior foundation leaks can leave a telltale puddle inside your home. Check your lower level floors for dark or light stains along baseboards. A dark stain could indicate recent and prolonged exposure to water, but a white stain could signal a leak that has dried over time and could become problematic.

    Replace leaking block foundations with new cinder block. Seal poured foundations with a polymer sealant. Install vinyl waterproof sheathing or a French drain around your home to channel water away from your home’s foundation.

    Eliminate Standing Water

    Go over your property and check for areas where water is standing or stagnant. Mosquitoes can breed in less than a half inch of standing water and make for annoying, unwanted backyard neighbours. Make sure to empty old flower pots, discarded cans, buckets, and any vessel where water can collect and breed insects.

    Brighten Vinyl and Wood Siding

    Pressure wash vinyl and wood siding to rid your home’s exterior of mould, mildew, and water stains. If the exterior is in good shape, pressure washing can add a new spring sparkle. Pressure washing is also the first step to take if you plan on exterior painting.

    Spring Home Maintenance Checklist Pressure WasherWash Away Winter

    Get rid of winter gloom by washing your windows inside-out. When the weather warms up, use a mixture of plain white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to wipe windows clean on both sides.

    Missing caulk or glaze? Purchase a polymer caulk or glaze to make minor repairs. Consider replacing single pane or old aluminium framed windows with energy-efficient vinyl replacement units.

    Energize Exterior Doors

    Check entry doors for drafts, cracks, or warping. You can easily replace worn weather stripping, caulk cracks, and scrape doors of peeling paint. If exterior doors are worn beyond repair, a new steel core entry door not only makes a grand entrance, but also boosts your home’s energy efficiency, and adds an extra measure of safety.

    Check for Concrete Cracks

    Winters in Edmonton can leave undesirable cracks in driveways, sidewalks, and stairs as concrete expands and contracts with the cold. Check all driveways and concrete patio slabs for obvious cracks or broken pieces.

    After sweeping them clean, pressure or spray wash the drive and fill cracks with a concrete filler or silicone sealant. Spruce up mismatched, faded or discoloured concrete with a special water resistant paint.

    Flush Fireplaces and Flues

    Your fireplace can get a real workout during cold Canadian winters. Hire a certified chimney sweep to inspect your fireplace, chimney, and flue to make sure it's working properly next winter.

    A qualified chimney sweep will get rid of soot, creosote, birds’ nests and other debris that can clog fireplaces and cause your home’s interior air quality to suffer. A clean chimney also means cleaner air, helping to eliminate allergens.

    Freshen Interior Air

    Nothing gives your house the smell of spring like fresh air. Open the windows and doors and let nature take its course, refreshing your whole interior. Call a professional heating and air conditioning company to service your central air conditioning unit and transition from spring to summer with ease.

    Your home is your greatest investment. Following these springtime maintenance tips will help it blossom all year ‘round.

    Another great way to transition into spring is, of course, with a good, full house cleaning. Use our Ultimate Cleaning List for 2017 to ensure your home is well-maintained, down to the last spec of dust.

    Photo credits: ecology house, picking twigs, pressure washer
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