TEN SPRING DO’S FOR HOME MAINTENANCE

Don’t let spring cleaning catch you off guard.

Here at Canadian Mortgage Professionals we are starting to think about spring. Whether it is because we’re finally starting to see daylight after dinner or because April Fool’s Day has come and gone, spring feels like its coming our way.

Normally we blog about financial topics, but in this post, we’re going to discuss a topic near and dear to Bob‘s heart, and that is increasing your home’s value through a bit of hard work. That’s right: it’s Spring Home Maintenance time! Here are our top ten tips for dusting out the winter cobwebs, inserting a shot of value into your home and showing your pride of ownership.

GUTTERS AND ROOF INSPECTION

It’s not quite so wet here in Alberta as it is on the We(s)t Coast, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t brace for some rain. One of those “out of sight out of mind” parts of your home is your gutters. Get up there on a ladder or suit up with a harness and take a peek – gutters should be cleared of debris so rain can run through. While you’re up there, take a look at your roof and make sure all your shingles are intact.

EXTERIOR PAINT

High quality exterior paint is good at repelling the ravages of winter, but like the oil in your car, it does need to be changed with some regularity to protect the engine. Have a look at the exterior paint on your house – is any of it chipping? Can you see the cladding through it? If so, consider a fresh coat. And don’t skimp on the quality of paint, either!

LAWN AND GARDEN

It is a good time to uncover those gardens and add compost to the soil. While you’re at it prune and trim your shrubs – if they are the right kind. Summer and fall bloomers need a bit of tending to in spring, but spring bloomers have been working on growing the blooms all winter, so double check if you aren’t sure. You might also need to turn the exterior hose bibs back on.

HOME HARDSCAPING

This is an especially good time of year to take care of any hardscaping, which refers to the “non-organic” parts of your landscaping, such as patios, sidewalks, and paved areas. Once the ground has thawed, it’s also a great time of your to install any ponds or larger yard projects you’ve been thinking of.

WINDOWS AND DOORS

Have a look at your windows and doors. If water has been getting in, watch out for mold growth once the weather starts to warm up. Make sure everything is properly sealed and clean any window screens too. Also check out your locks – a bit of graphite can help a lock turn smoother.

SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

Test all of your detectors and change their battery backups if they have one. Remember, there are rules about how many and where your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be in your house. While you’re at it, check out your kitchen fire extinguisher and make sure it is still certified.

SCRUB THAT GROUT!

Nothing beats elbow grease to clean up grout in the kitchen and bathroom. There are a lot of products out there that insist they can do as good a job with little to no work and it’s been our experience that’s not the case. Crank up the music and get in there and scrub – while you are at it, check for any deficiencies in the caulking or grout and repair as needed. It’s amazing what a difference clean grout can make in a bathroom.

FURNACE FILTERS

Replace your furnace filters and if necessary, have a service technician in for regular maintenance. A well maintained furnace can last for years and years and clean filters plus regular service are a part of that.

INTERIOR PAINT AND WALLS

A fresh coat of paint in a room can make all the difference to refreshing your home. If its been more than a few years, or if you can’t remember when you last painted, chances are it’s probably time. If you’re considering selling in the next year or two, you might want to consider warm, neutral colours rather than bold, trendy colours.

AIR CONDITIONER

If you’re thinking about getting an air conditioner for the coming summer, experts say the best time of year to buy it is in the fall or winter, but there are still some good deals to be had if you shop around. Make sure you don’t wait till the heat of summer or you’ll be paying top dollar as demand ups the price.