Spring Home Maintenance
By SCOTT MOOREMarch 16, 2017Isn't it just the best when spring finally arrives? Beers on the deck, steaks on the BBQ, longer days, warmer air....and a long list of home maintenance tasks to shake winter's nasty grip off your humble abode.
No question the maintenance part is one of my least favourite parts, but unfortunately for homeowners, it's a fact of life.
I always like to make life a bit easier for you, so I've condensed it all into a handy list. I'd bet you can tackle 90% of the list in a few hours, and 100% of it over a weekend or two.
A reminder that spring is also the best time to list your home, so if you are considering selling, or have friends or family that are thinking about it, please contact us NOW. The market is hottest from March-June and this is prime time! I am never too busy for your referrals and always treat them like gold.
Spring is also the time to plan for summer or fall renovation projects such as fences, decks, basement renovations or kitchen/bathroom upgrades. The Winnipeg Renovation Show is in January and the Winnipeg Home & Garden Show is in April, and these are great places to get good ideas. I have some excellent contractors I can refer you to if you would like an assessment or quote on a project.
Spring Maintenance Checklist:
Clear out snow from basement window wells so they don’t fill with water.
If you have a skating rink in your backyard like I do, Priority 1 is getting the tarp up ASAP.
Test your smoke alarm & check expiry date.
Once past the risk of freezing temps, attach the discharge hose to your sump (making sure its free of obstructions) and set the hose up to run away from the home. If your sump pump was off for the winter, plug it in and always check basement for possible leaks when first used.
Turn your humidifier off, or switch to “summer” setting.
Check that your AC unit is clear of leaves or garbage, and vacuum it to remove dust.
Check that your eaves troughs are attached, not leaking, and are free of leaves & debris. Also check that water is running away from the house.
Walk all the way around your house, taking a good look at your roof, exterior walls, foundation and windows. Also watch for small holes that rodents can use to enter the home & fill them.
Have a look at your deck & fence. Repair any damaged or missing areas. Purchase a deck cleaner for your decking material, and wash the deck. Open wood decks need to be sealed every 4-6 years, so make a plan for that if its due, but wait at least 2 days after washing to do so.
Give your BBQ some sparkle!
Sharpen lawn mower blades and change the oil.
Stay off your lawn until the soil is dry. Once the lawn turns green, give it a cut to remove the dead tips. Fall is the best time to over-seed bare patches and aerate, but if you missed it in the fall you can do it in the spring. There’s a good window for over-seeding when the soil is approx. 10C so aim for that.
Check and replace your furnace filter.
Check your exterior dryer vent, clean out excess lint.
Clean and reattach screens to window and doors.
Pop open a beverage of choice and pat yourself on the back for being such a diligent & responsible homeowner!