Your Indoor and Outdoor Spring Maintenance Checklist. Higher temperatures are on the horizon, and speaking for residents in Ottawa (and likely across Ontario) we couldn’t be happier! Soon enough we will be soaking up the sun and enjoying the warm temperatures outdoors instead of staying cooped up indoors bundled in layers or blasting the furnace. However, for homeowners, once the snow begins to melt away, the honey-do list of spring home maintenance tasks is under-way. 

Seasonal maintenance is important to ensure your home remains in good health, to show pride of ownership, and ultimately, to protect your investment and bank account from a hefty bill repairing costly damage. Particularly coming out of a Canadian winter, checking on, maintaining, and repairing your home should be tackled sooner rather than later. While a good way to get started is with your run of the mill “spring cleaning”, there are other tasks that should be checked off your list both indoors and out to keep your home in pristine condition. This is especially important if you're thinking of listing your home this Spring.

To get you started on your spring maintenance, we have compiled a list of checkpoints you won't want to miss. 

Indoor Maintenance: 

• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
  While many people use the spring forward and fall back time change as their regular cue to check and change these home safety features, seasonal checks remain important. Don’t forget to check your fire extinguishers as well, and replace any that need to be. These devices can be a life-saving measure, and ensuring they continue to work optimally is essential. 

• Scheduled Professional Maintenance
  After a long winter, ensure you pay some special attention to your furnace before shutting down for the warm months. Change out your filters, and schedule necessary repairs or maintenance to ensure it remains in good working order for next winter. Additional maintenance checkups for your air conditioning, septic tank, and dryer exhaust should be considered as well.  

• Cleaning Ductwork
  Before you turn on the AC and blow dust that's been building up in your ducts into your air, have a company come in to clean your ductwork. This doesn’t necessarily need to be done every year, but should be completed at least once every 2-3 years. 

• Cleaning Kitchen Exhaust Hood and Filter
  We all love a sparkling kitchen, but many of us neglect cleaning the kitchen exhaust hood and filter. This is a relatively easy task, and can be done effectively in no time at all. 

• Check the Attic for Leaks, Mould, Moisture or Rodents
  Inspecting your attic for leaks, mould, moisture and rodents is a great idea to prevent any serious damage to your home. Completing this task after the big snow melt will help identify any areas of concern. If rodent damage is present, call in your local pest control agency sooner rather than later. 

Outdoor Maintenance: 

• Damage to Asphalt, Driveways, and Walkways
  A winter full of shoveling and snow blowing our driveways and walkways can easily be the cause of asphalt damage. Potholes in these areas are not just an eyesore, they can damage your vehicle, and put you and your visitors at risk of serious trips and falls. 
• Clearing of Gutters, Eavestroughs, and Downspouts
  Clearing your gutters is a task that should receive regular maintenance, as a build up of leaves and other debris can cause roof damage, exterior wall damage, and damage to the home's foundation. 

• Checking Integrity of Screen Doors and Windows
  Snow and ice can create a headache for screens, doors, and windows. Check the integrity of each to ensure they remain intact throughout the year. 

• Roof Inspection
  If it is safe to do so, try to get a visual of your roof and identify if there are any roofing issues that need to be addressed. If needed, call a roofing company to inspect and address any pending issues. 

• Dump Any Pooled Up Water Left From Winter
  Pooled up water can attract insects and rodents that can be the cause of damage to the exterior of your home. Dump any puddles left over from winter away from the foundation of your home. 

• Check for Cracks in the Foundation
  Every Canadian homeowner should make it a spring time routine to check the exterior of the home for cracks in the foundation. If there is anything concerning or developing, it's better to call in the experts before serious damage occurs. 

A homeowners house is in many cases their biggest and most cherished investment. Caring for that investment requires regular maintenance, so you can add this to Your Indoor and Outdoor Spring Maintenance Checklist. Don’t skip a beat on your spring maintenance this year. Follow these preventative maintenance tips and keep your home, and your investment, in tip top shape.