Spring check up tips for your house!
It’s time for planning gardens and cleaning the house as you prepare for the arrival of spring here in Ontario. This is a great time of year to inspect the home for little repairs and other items that should be tended to. Use this checklist provided by Top Durham real estate agent Mary Roy Team to ensure that your property in Durham region Ontario is ready for the changing season and weather.
1. The Search for Mold
As you clean the home, look for signs of mold. It usually won’t grow in a well-lit, obvious area, but you may find some in the basement when you move boxes away from walls. If you find small areas of mold, you can handle the removal yourself by cleaning the area with diluted bleach and then drying it completely. Extensive areas of mold that are growing into sheetrock and other surfaces should be handled by the professionals. Bill Walls (905.665.158) is one of our highly recommended basement experts in Durham Region who specializes on waterproofing system, mold, moisture and leakage protection. Once the mold is eliminated, it’s vital to find the source. A leaking wall in the basement or high humidity levels in the house are two common culprits. Correct the problems to prevent the mold from returning and protect your family. When looking for mold, be sure to look behind shelves, in corners of the basement, crawlspace and up in the attic.
2. Clean the Gutters
Gutters should be cleaned twice a year to ensure that water is flowing smoothly through the system. This is also the best time to look at downspouts and make sure water is moving at least five feet away from basement walls. Inspect the fascia and soffit to be sure they are intact and make repairs as necessary. Look at the Roof From the ground, take a look at the lines of your roof. There should not be any sagging areas. While on the ladder to clean the gutters, take a closer look at your shingles. If you have shingles that are curling, buckling or breaking, then you should call in a roofing company to handle repairs or a full replacement. Walk along the foundation of your home and look for broken pieces of shingle or granules that are falling off the roof. These are both warning signs of problems and indicate that your roof needs repair.
3.Treat the Air Conditioner
This is the perfect time to have your air conditioner tuned up. A professional service team will clean the compressor, tighten connections and lubricate fans. The coolant level will be checked to ensure that the system works. If repairs are needed, you can have them completed before the hot weather rolls into the area.
4. Seal the Deck
If you’re dreaming of barbecues and relaxing on the patio, then you want to make sure the deck is in top condition. This is the best time to seal the deck because the weather is cooler. If there are rotted, warped or splintered boards, replace them now to protect bare feet later.
5. Test the Sump Pump
If you have a sump pump, it should be tested occasionally to ensure it’s working. If you haven’t heard it click on in a while, then take the time to test it before the snow starts thawing and the spring rains arrive. Pour a large bucket water into the pump basin to make sure the pump turns on properly and starts moving the water out of the well.
6. Check Your Home Owner’s Insurance Call your home insurance company to review coverage levels. If you have made any upgrades, you should inform the company of the changes. This includes replacing carpet with hardwood, regular windows with expensive bay windows and an un-insulated garage door with a high-quality insulated garage door. Find out if your basement is protected against floods and what kind of protection you have if your sump pump fails. Upgrading the coverage and investing in important riders can provide you with the coverage and peace of mind you need. While you are calling your insurance company, make sure you have your home and car insured by same company to get further discount.
As you go clean your home for spring, take care of these items to protect the structure keep your home in top condition. Talk to your insurance company to be sure you have the right coverage, and inform them of any upgrades you have made. Adding these tasks to your spring cleaning list will ensure that your home is ready for the spring and all the seasons to come.
Jessica Li
Archives
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- September 2010
- August 2010
- June 2010