“You will need to be thorough about the completion of your exterior home maintenance ‘to-do’ list for the spring season. Being vigilant about inspecting your home for damage caused by extreme weather conditions will help to preserve the value of your home. Doing home maintenance consistently, whenever the seasons change, will make your job easier.” says Joan Hansen of HomeLife Benchmark Langley.
“As a homeowner and a real estate agent for over 37 years, I can tell you from a personal and professional perspective, that proper exterior home maintenance will not only greatly improve the appearance of your house and property, it will protect your home against further weather damage. Costs are greatly reduced when you stay on top of maintenance and are able to prevent major repairs.” advises Joan. Time to do an inspection to see if the fall and winter months have caused any damage to your home and yard.
Here is a maintenance checklist of things to inspect:
Foundation
- Your Foundation can be source of serious water issues in your basement. Do a thorough examination of your home’s exterior. Check for cracks in the foundation. Inspect the exterior walls, siding, and brick for damage. If you identify issues, contact a foundation specialist to take a look at your home so that you will avoid mold and mildew as well as structural damage.
Roof
- Your Roof is one of the most important areas of your home to inspect. Problems with your roof can quickly effect other areas of your home. Damage to shingles or flashing, or leaks in the roof can cause serious destruction to your home and jeopardize the safety of your family.
Gutters and Downspouts
- Pull leaves and debris from Gutters and Downspouts. Clogged gutters cause water damage and prevent water from being properly piped away from the house. Inspect your downspouts to make sure they are directing water away from your home. Patch up any holes in your gutters with exterior grade caulking. Reattach gutters that have pulled away from the house. Run a hose on the roof and check for proper drainage. If leaks exist, dry the area and use caulking or epoxy to seal the leak.
Walkways and Driveways
- It’s common to find cracks in Walkways and Driveways after the winter. Clean up leaves and debris, and check for cracks in pavement or aggregate in your yard.
Doors and Windows
- Extended periods of cold weather can cause cracks or harden the caulking around your Doors and Windows. Inspect the seals on all doors windows and replace the deteriorating caulking where needed. This will help prevent water from getting in and will also reduce your energy bill.
Window and Door Screens
- Clean and check for holes. Holes will allow bugs to climb in. Replace damaged screens and broken hardware and repair damaged frames.
Exterior Lights and Motion Sensors
- Check all Exterior Lights and Motion Sensors to ensure they are functioning properly and replace bulbs if necessary.
Fence and Deck
- It is important to check the condition of your Fence and Deck. Look for cracked and split boards and unstable areas on the deck that have to be repaired or replaced. Observe any signs of pest damage. Seal or stain your deck and fence if needed.
Siding, Wood Decks, Concrete and Aggregate
- Clean Siding, Wood Decks, Concrete and Aggregate with a pressure washer to keep mold and moss from growing. You can rent the equipment but be aware that it might be wise to hire a professional to do the job. Too much pressure can damage vinyl siding or stucco or even concrete. Excessive pressure can also damage wooden decks. Window and door seals need to be protected from leaks and it is possible to break windows if they are accidentally hit too hard with spray.
Water Taps
- Turn on the outside Water Taps
Waste and Vent System
- Drain Waste and Vent System: Flush out system.
Hot Water Heater
- Hot water heater: Lubricate circulating pump and motor.
Prepare the Lawn, Trees And Greenery
The lawn mower will need a change of engine oil. Blade will need sharpening in preparation for lawn cutting season. Stock up on landscaping supplies such as yard bags, grass seed, fertilizer and any necessary equipment needed for pruning trees and gardening.
Get Out The Outdoor Furniture And BBQ – Pull out your patio furniture from storage, clean out your BBQ and get it ready for grilling season. Check your propane tank and get it filled if necessary.
Now that you have finished your exterior home maintenance, you are ready for the lovely, warm days of Spring and Summer. Pour yourself a glass of lemonade and fire up the barbecue!
Whether you are buying or selling, I am here to help. Phone Joan at 604-220-7653 or email joan@joanhansen.ca