The cold and dark months of winter are behind us and its time to use the extra daylight and warmer days to take care of some much-needed home maintenance. Keeping on top of your home’s maintenance will ensure everything is in working order, improve efficiency and prevent bigger and often costly problems from occurring.
Whether you’re preparing your property for sale this summer or just want to keep your home in tip-top shape, this spring maintenance checklist from Rental Advisors is a great place to start.
Inspect your gutters and downspouts.
Over the fall and winter all kind of leaves, pine needles and other guck has probably accumulated in your gutters and downspouts. Even if you gave them a thorough clean in the fall, the build up of ice and snow could have caused some damage. First walk around your house and make sure nothing has detached or come loose from the house. Then head up to your roof and inspect the inside of your gutters. Scoop out any build up that might be in there so you can ensure smooth drainage away from your house. It also important to make sure your downspouts are aiming away from your house and clear of debris.
Inspect your roof.
While you’re up on your roof, take a look at your shingles. Are they curling, have pieces torn off or are there any missing shingles? If so, it is probably time to consider installing a new roof. You should also check around any chimney’s or vents to make sure there is no damaged or loose flashing. If you do need a new roof, do not put it off. Should your roof take on water you could end up with expensive water damage to your home. If you are preparing your home for resale, a new roof will be more attractive to potential buyers.
Inspect your windows and doors.
Check around your windows and doors for cracked caulking. If it is cracked, scrape off the old caulking and replace it with new. If your window frames are warped or look damaged, it might be time to consider replacing them completely. New energy efficient windows will help keep your home cool in the summer and keep warm air in during the winter and are a sound investment. New windows and doors can also improve your home’s resale value.
Inspect the concrete around your home.
The constant freezing and thawing during the winter could cause your concrete on your drive, walkways or even your foundation to crack. If you have cracks in your foundation you should fill them or call a concrete contractor to do repairs as soon as possible. With spring and summer rain, you don’t want water to get into your house and cause serious damage to your property.
Service your heating and cooling system.
Your furnace has worked hard all winter to keep you home warm. Use this time to have it inspected by a HVAC technician to ensure it will work safely and efficiently for the year to come. You should also have your air conditioning unit inspected. A heating and cooling contractor can make sure the coils and filters are clean and that your unit is working at peak performance.
Inspect your attic insulation.
Upgraded attic insulation, paired with a proper ventilation system, can greatly improve your home’s efficiency year round. In the summer, proper ventilation will help move that stifling hot air out of the attic while your insulation works to keep it from coming into your living space. In the winter, the ventilation removes moisture while the insulation keeps your home warm and cozy. Take a peak in your attic. If you notice woodchip or newspaper-like insulation, it is time for an upgrade. Upgraded insulation can be blown over your old insulation and will start paying for itself in energy savings.
Remember, it costs less to maintain things around your home than it does to repair or replace things! Investing some time in preventative home maintenance this spring will keep your home efficient and looking great.
Find more tips for home owners, landlords and tenants at www.rentaladvisors.ca/blog.