By Barry Nestransky, hgtv.com, Family Handyman & Merv Kaufman at Bob Vila
Regularly maintaining the inside and outside of your home not only keeps it looking good and functioning well but it also helps to avoid costly renovations and repairs. Small chores like replacing rotting deck boards or repairing window screens can make all the difference. All it takes is a little organization, elbow grease and a checklist of what to do each season. Here are a few tasks to complete this spring to ensure your home is in tip-top shape.
EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Have your gutters and downspouts cleaned and repaired by a professional early in the season. Not only will you prevent damage from spring rains but also leave the ladder work to the insured experts. Improper drainage from clogged and broken gutters and downspouts can lead to various water damage including roof leaks, water in the basement or crawl space, or cause eaves to rot. Tip: Make sure all downspout extensions run at least 1.5 metres away from your home’s foundations.
Inspect the Roof
With a pair of binoculars, examine your roof for any signs of damage including missing, loose, or buckled shingles. Have loose shingles replaced and repair damaged portions immediately to avoid more serious issues that can occur when the rain and sun hits. Tip: Take time to investigate the flashing around chimneys, vent stacks, and skylights too.
Windows
Clean your windows inside and out with a squeegee or a soft cloth. Never use abrasive cleaners or a high-pressure spray washer to ensure you don’t scratch the glass or crack the caulking around each unit. If screens were on all winter, remove and clean them with mild detergent. Lay them on a dry surface, like a driveway to air-dry before putting them back on.
Carefully check each window screen and repair any holes or tears, no matter how small. You can find screen repair kits at most hardware and home improvement stores.
Inspect Woodwork
Wood decks, fences, railings, trellises, pergolas, and other outdoor structures will last longer and remain in better condition if they’re stained or resealed every year or two. Look for warped, loose, or splintered boards, and do a good sweep to remove any leaves and debris accumulated in the space between boards. Make any needed repairs to woodwork before the spring rains do more damage to the exposed wood.
Check Concrete, Asphalt and Other Hardscape
Freezing and thawing is rough on concrete, asphalt, and other hardscaping materials. Walk around your property and inspect walkways, paths, and driveways for signs of cracks or movement. Asphalt can often be patched, but damaged concrete may need to be replaced entirely. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk. When weather permits, power-wash and then seal the concrete. Also ensure all concrete slabs except pool decks drain away from the home’s foundation.
Be sure to also examine your home’s foundation from top to bottom for masonry cracks. You may need to hire a foundation specialist who can employ a two-part epoxy injection system that will bond foundation cracks chemically.
Examine Exterior Walls
Whether you have siding, stucco, or brick, look for trouble spots, especially under eaves and near gutter downspouts.
Water stains normally indicate that your gutters are not adequately containing roof runoff.
If you have wood siding, check for openings, damaged areas, or knots that have popped out, making way for critters to nest in or burrow through. Replace and repaint or seal any trim or siding that has begun to rot or crumble.
For brick, look for chipping or popping away of the brick’s face and any deteriorated mortar. If you discover water penetration in brick, consider sealing the brick with an appropriate sealant.
Check Faucets, Sprinkler, and Irrigation System
Check exterior faucets for freeze damage and garden hoses for dry rot. Run the sprinkler and irrigation system through all the zones manually and walk the property. Adjust sprinkler heads that are spraying windows, sidewalks, the driveway, and porch as this can cause moisture issues and wastes water.
Service the A/C
Change the filter, check hose connections for leaks, and make sure the drain pans are draining freely. In addition, vacuum any dust that has settled on the unit and connections; over time it can impact the air conditioner’s effectiveness. If you suspected problems with the efficiency or performance of the unit last summer, have a qualified heating and cooling contractor clean and service the your air conditioning system.
Yard Equipment Maintenance and Preparation
Prepare your lawn equipment for use. Clean and fuel the equipment and sharpen any cutting blades. Ensure your yard equipment is organized and easily accessible.
Clean Patio Furniture
Give your outdoor furniture a hose rinse, or wash it with a mild detergent. For metal furniture, check for signs of rust or paint erosion; a simple remedy of spray enamel will prevent further damage from sun, rain, and humidity in the months ahead.
INTERIOR MAINTENANCE
General Cleaning
Spring is a good time to clean areas of the house that often go neglected. Clean everything from light fixtures, tops of doors and baseboards, to light switches, furniture, floors and everything in between. Launder or dry-clean fabric draperies and use a damp cloth to clean wood and vinyl blinds. Vacuum upholstered furniture and mattresses and consider renting a carpet cleaner—anything you can do to remove settled dust, mites, and allergens. The elbow grease will pay off with a sparkling and healthier home.
Check Weatherstripping and Caulk
Drafty windows and doors can increase your annual heating and cooling bill by up to 30%. Large gaps on exterior walls and around windows and doors may also provide a route of entry for critters and water. Replace worn or damaged weatherstripping, caulk gaps around windows, door frames, exterior pipes, and faucets. Spray foam is very helpful for more extensive gaps.
Inspect Attic Ventilation and Insulation
Check attic vents to ensure they are free of debris, insects, and critters and are providing adequate ventilation which will prolong the life of your roof. Look for obstructions over vents, damaged soffit panels, roof flashing leaks, and wet spots on insulation. Also search aggressively for mold, which often takes the form of grey or black blotches that look like staining. Proper insulation and good ventilation will deter mold growth in the attic and save you when it comes to energy costs.
Maintain Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Test and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors and keep extra household batteries on hand.
Ceiling Fan Direction
Clean your ceiling fan and ensure it is rotating in a counter clockwise direction. The ceiling fan improves air circulation and creates a breeze effect by moving or circulating the air better during hot weather.