Homeowners: Seven Things to Check this Spring

Is your home ready for spring? No, we don’t mean spring cleaning your home using the KonMari Method; rather, it’s about fixing up your home after winter has taken its toll on it.

Before you pull out your patio furniture and get ready for backyard BBQ season, take time to do some maintenance to keep your home in tip-top shape. Giving your home a little bit of love will prevent you from doing those pricey repairs later on.

We’ve got a checklist for you to consider now that spring is here.

1) Check for roof damage

All the snow and ice from winter can do some damage to your roof. Be sure to check your roof for any damaged or missing shingles to ensure it’s still intact. Shingles that are cracked, buckled or loose will need to be replaced or repaired by a qualified roofer. This will ensure that water drains away from your home to prevent leaking.

2) Check your property’s drainage

Does water properly flow down your downspout and away from your home? Proper drainage of rain and melting snow, also known as stormwater, around your property is vital to the health and safety of your home. Water that doesn’t drain properly may lead to leaks in the roof or damage the foundation. Next time it rains, take a look outside near your basement walls to note any places where water collects within 2 meters of the house. Understanding how water drains will help keep your home safe and dry.

3) Fill in cracks and check seals around windows and doors

Flooding may occur when heavy rainfall or significant melting snow is trapped around the foundation of your home and seeps in through cracks or window wells. Be sure to take the time to fill in any cracks and holes that you can find in your foundation and check the seals around windows and doors to avoid your home flooding. If you’re looking to learn more about flood prevention in your home, check out Mississauga Office of Emergency’s Residential Guide to Flood Prevention and Recovery.

4) Check the fence and deck

Check both your fence and deck for any signs of damaged, cracked or split boards. In Mississauga, you don’t need a building permit if you need to build a new fence. However, for decks, you will need a building permit to build or demolish a wooden deck greater than 2 feet high or 100 square feet or structurally connected to the home. You can find out more about building permits for decks in Mississauga.

5) Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

To make sure that your family’s fire safe, you should replace the batteries in your alarms twice a year with the time change and test the alarms to make sure they are fully functional. Check for expiry dates on your alarms and be sure they are replaced if they are over 10 years old. Also, check your fire extinguishers to make sure there are no leaks and that all the pins are in place. Mississauga’s Fire and Emergency Services has tons of great resources about fire prevention and smoke alarms.

6) Move wood or junk away from home

If you have a stack of wood or junk beside your home, you’ll need to move it now that the ice and snow is melting. The damp wood and pooled water is the perfect breeding ground for a variety of insects. In addition, you will want to remove rodent habitats like piles of wood or rock piles from your yard. Mississauga’s Animal Services has great wildlife safety tips to protect yourself, family and property.

7) Check your driveway for cracks

Freezing temperatures can cause pavement to chip as water gets inside and freezes. Now that the weather’s warming up, you should fill in any cracks or holes that you find. Be sure to seal hard surfaces to prevent water from getting into them.