Seasonal 4: Spring

With the passing of winter and the coming of Spring, it is time to get your house ready for the new season:

  1. Check out the roof for broken shingles from the last windstorm or evidence of moss taking over. Remove moss from the roof with a stiff push broom or carefully with a power washer. If power washing, start at the ridge and spray down the roof to protect the shingles. Don't use too high a pressure, or back off on the distance from the nozzle to the roof. Use proper safety gear for working on the roof.
  2. Seal up any leaking windows and doors with weatherstrip.
  3. Install plastic over any windows that are not thermopane.
  4. Clean out range hood and bathroom fans.
  5. Caulk up any exterior cracks in the siding or stucco where moisture can get in and do its evil deed.
  6. Any outdoor painting should be done before the temperature reaches 10° C (50° F) or below. Wash the skylights, be very careful not to use too much pressure on skylights or windows to break the thermal seal.
  7. Clean the gutters after cleaning the roof.
  8. Power wash the siding if vinyl. Use a mixture of 1 cup of bleach and a squirt of Ultra Dawn detergent to 5 gallons of water and brush it on the surface, first. Use a window or deck brush with a broom handle and rubber gloves.
  9. Clean your bathroom fan grill, blades and motor. Most of these have a grill that snaps in place. Pull down on the grill and remove the wire spring from both sides by squeezing them together and pull them right out. Most of the bath fans can be removed from the frame by undoing the plug, removing a single screw and pulling the unit out. This way you can view the fan blade or squirrel cage and the motor and remove the dust and dirt from them. Reverse the procedure to re-install the unit.
  10. Clean the kitchen fan, as well, by removing the filters and clean the motor and fan blades or cage. Make sure the fan is turned off, first.
  11. Clean the furnace filters, fan and motor, or get the technician to service the furnace and filters. Check the air registers to be sure they are clean. Have a look at the duct under the register and vacuum clean, if needed. This applies to your HRV and/or the AC, as well.
  12. Vacuum under the bed, behind and in the refrigerator and deep freezer, good places for dust to accumulate.
  13. Check out and clean the dryer exhaust hose and vent.
  14. Caulk any splits in the siding or wood trim and paint to suit. Don't paint or caulk when the outside temperature is below 50° F or 10° C. Check around windows and doors for expansion cracks in the caulking, as well.

Hope this list helps to locate possible trouble spots in and around your home.


Dave

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Hi, I'm Dave Osborne. With over 50 years experience as a journeyman carpenter, foreman and contractor in heavy construction I enjoyed working with apprentices and sharing the tricks of the trade that others shared with me. Now I get emails from Members all over the world and we include many of my answers in our Free Monthly Newsletters. Some of my answers include drawings and instructions specific to a project, but may also answer your questions. I use correct construction terminology, so you can confidently inform your building supply dealers or contractors exactly what you need.

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