SPRING MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST FOR BOTH INSIDE HOME AND OUT
It’s time to get ahead of potential issues, from deck condition to safety systems
Spring is here — and while we’ve been experiencing heavy rains recently, you won’t want to put off your spring maintenance for too long. Remember, a contractor’s schedule fills up fast, and if you have any work that needs an expert, the sooner you can bring someone in, the better.
You may not know when it’s time to bring in a pro, so here are a few simple things you can do to check that your home is ready for the season.
CHECK THE EXTERIOR
Do a walk around your property. You’re looking for any cracks in your foundation. If you come across any cracks, mark them with tape and check them every three months. If they haven’t grown, they can probably be filled in with an epoxy injection. If they continue to grow, it’s time to bring in an expert. Here’s a good rule to follow: if you have a crack large enough to fit a coin, you’re going to want to have it checked by a professional. Once you’ve checked the outside, you will want to repeat this process inside if you have an unfinished basement.
Your mortar in between exterior bricking needs regular maintenance. If it’s crumbling, that can cause problems like loose bricks, or allowing water to penetrate, damaging the structure behind the bricks. The process to fix crumbling mortar is called tuckpointing, which involves scraping out the old mortar and replacing it with new. This new mortar should seal any gaps between bricks to keep everything in place.
Finally look up to your roof. You can do this right from the ground. You want to look for damaged or missing shingles — a key sign that it may be time to re-roof.
ALL HANDS ON DECK
You should inspect your deck every year before you host your first backyard barbecue. You’ll want to check the stairs, railings, and ledger board to ensure that everything is still intact and holding in place. Your type of decking material will dictate how often it needs to be maintained. Cedar should be sealed at least every two years (though depending on stain, you may want to seal it annually) to keep it looking and smelling great. Pressuretreated decks need to be sanded, sealed and painted every two years.
INDOOR SAFETY CHECK
You will want to do a routine check of your safety systems twice a year. Spring is a good time to change the batteries on your smoke alarms. I change mine twice a year, when the clocks change, but if it’s been a while for you, here’s your reminder. You will want to replace the unit at least every decade, but this is a good time to test your detector to ensure it’s working properly. And I’m talking actually testing them. Light a match or let some incense smoulder below the unit; if the alarm doesn’t go off within a few seconds, replace the batteries. Test it again and if it still doesn’t work, it’s time to get a new detector.
While we’re talking about safety, don’t neglect your fire extinguishers. (You do have them, right?) You’ll definitely want one in your kitchen, but I also keep ones by my front and back doors. Make sure the extinguisher is still intact and free of dents, leaks and rust. Also take a look at the pressure gauge: the needle should be in the green zone. If not, it’s time to get a replacement.
Your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans work to keep moisture from building up in these heavy use spaces — and that keeps the mould away. Have you checked your exhaust fans lately to make sure they’re in proper working order? When I check my exhaust fans I like to do the tissue test. It’s simple to perform, just turn on the exhaust fan and hold a tissue against it. You want to see that the fan is strong enough to hold the tissue in place. If it can, your fan is probably in good shape. If your exhaust fan fails the tissue test, it’s time to bring in an HVAC pro.
Spring is a great time to get outside and make sure our homes are in good condition after we’ve been shut indoors all winter long. The good news is that once you’ve taken care of your spring checklist, there’s nothing stopping you from getting outside and enjoying the warmer weather.