Spring is in the air. With the snow fully melted and warmer temperatures creeping in, it’s time for a little spring cleaning, inside and out! These tips focus on regular homeowner maintenance, helping you create a list of possible repairs that are relatively painless if dealt with now, saving you from even bigger problems in the future.
Let’s begin with the roof. Ottawa recorded our coldest winter this year, and with the varied temperatures, many of you will have had to remove snow from your roofs at some point this winter. Now is the time to check for any possible damage as a result. Look for broken or damaged shingles and flashings that may need caulking. On your way down from the roof, inspect your eavestroughs to ensure they are free of debris and properly secured so that they can adequately drain the spring showers. Since your ladder is already out, now’s the perfect time to step down a few rungs and give your windows a good outdoor cleaning. As the summer colours come into abundance over the next couple of months, you will be glad you took this time now. You will also want to check the caulking and flashing around the windows to see if it needs changing. If your windows are made of wood, look out for signs of rot as well. And once you’re down, don’t forget your basement windows!
Now that you’re on the ground, follow your downspouts and ensure they are diverting water away from the foundation. You want all ground water to be flowing aggressively away from your foundation. Next, have a look at your driveway. The ground will heave during the winter and settle in the summer, and this can cause stress cracks. These can be easily filled with tar-based caulking to give your driveway a longer life span.
You can also have a look at your exterior doors to ensure the weather stripping is still in good shape, ensuring that cool AC air stays inside when the time comes. Take a look as well at your door’s hardware. Metals will also expand and contract with the weather changes, and you might need to tighten them up.
Once inside your home, open up those freshly cleaned windows to air out the chemicals and dust you’re about to stir up in your cleaning. This change in seasons is also the perfect reminder to swap out the filter in the furnace for a fresh new one.
And last but certainly not least: CLEAN YOUR BBQ and enjoy the grilling season!
Download your full list of seasonal home maintenance here.
If any of this seems too onerous, don’t forget Amsted has a dedicated “Upgrades and Repairs” department that can help you with all of this. Contact us today, and let our team of fully-licensed Red Seal carpenters take care of the maintenance so you can relax and enjoy your home.