The ultimate Spring Maintenance checklist for homeowners

For some people, the annual Spring Clean is like a rite of passage. Longer, sunnier days prompt homeowners to open windows, rid the house of dust and damp, make repairs and welcome the warm weather.

It’s not just about cleaning the indoors, however; it’s important to devise a maintenance regime that addresses all structure, appliances and systems within the home. Refer to this spring maintenance checklist to ensure your home is in optimal condition for the rest of the year.

Eavestroughs and downspouts

• Pull leaves and debris from eavestroughs and downspouts.
• Reattach gutters that have pulled away from the house.
• Run a hose on the roof and check for proper drainage; seal with epoxy or caulking.

Siding

• Clean siding with a pressure washer to keep mould from growing.
• Check all wood surfaces for weathering and paint failure.

Exterior caulking

• Inspect caulking and replace if deteriorating.
• Scrape out all of the eroding caulk and recaulk needed area.

Sills and thresholds

• Fill cracks, caulk edges, repaint or replace if necessary.

Screening

• Clean door and window screening and check for holes.
• Holes bigger than a quarter leave ample room for pests; patch holes or replace the screen.
• Save leftover removed screening for patching holes.
• Tighten or repair any loose or damaged frames and repaint.
• Replace broken, worn, or missing hardware; tighten and lubricate door hinges and closers.

Foundation

• Check foundation walls, floors, concrete, and masonry for cracking, heaving, or deterioration.
• If a significant number of bricks are losing their mortar, call a foundation professional.
• If your concrete floor, slab or foundation have cracks the size of a nickel or larger, call a professional immediately.

Roofing

• Inspect roof surface flashing, eaves, and soffits.
• Check flashings around all surface projections and sidewalls.

Patios and porches

• Check all decks, patios, porches, stairs, and railings for loose members and deterioration.
• Open decks and wood fences need to be treated every few years depending on exposure.
• If stain has turned, or wood looks grey in appearance, call a professional.

Landscape

• Cut back and trim all vegetation and overgrown bushes from structures.

Sprinklers

• Check lawn sprinkler system for leaky valves, exposed lines, and malfunctioning/inoperable sprinkler heads.

Once you’ve read through the tips and techniques, tailor the list to your home and yard. Bear in mind that a single weekend won’t suffice to complete every item on the list, so it’s imperative to come up with a realistic schedule. Whether you prefer to start from attic to basement or start inside and work your way out, focus on one task at a time.

And don’t forget to enlist the members of your family for help. 😉

[Source: Homeadvisor]

Let the Merenda Real Estate Group help you keep your home in top shape, no matter the season. Contact us today for more information. Interested in buying, selling or leasing a property in Toronto or in California? Get in touch with  us directly, or head on over to instagram and reach out to our preferred realtor and California partner-in-crime @RealEstateByRana