How to Get Your Home Ready for Spring: Tips and Tricks

Is having to bundle up before heading out for work already making you dream of warmer weather? Don’t worry, sunnier times are ahead.

Albeit, with the imminent return of balmy temperatures, getting your house season ready to avoid any shortcomings is a must. But how exactly can you go about getting your house ready for spring?

Spring Home Inspection: 7 Key Tips

Source: Canva

1) Inspect your roof

A roof inspection should be featured on all homeowners’ to-do lists. Damaged shingles should be repaired, while others replaced. Neglecting repairs may lead to gradual water ingress. Repairing shingles is well within everyone’s reach. All you need is a store-bought sealant, and apply it over the areas where there’s lifting to glue down the shingles once again. If you have a flat roof, check whether the rooftop drain is cleared of all debris and if the debris protection strainer is still in place. If your house has a sloped roof, check the parts topped with waterproofing joints, such as around the chimney's base, flashings, and plumbing vent.

2) Clean and check your gutters

You’ll need to remove from the gutters leaves or debris to allow water to drain properly. Rainwater build-up on a rooftop will likely aggravate the risks of water ingress, mandating necessary repairs. While cleaning gutters might seem like an unpleasant task given the smells emanating from the channels, it’s rather straightforward for those brave ones who aren’t afraid of venturing out onto their rooftops.

To simplify gutter maintenance over time, consider installing gutter guards. Such an accessory will effectively prevent debris from obstructing your gutters.

Focus on the sections right beneath the gutters or nearby. If you notice water stains in said areas, your gutters are likely clogged. Bear in mind that clogged gutters will likely lead to water building up onto the rooftop instead of draining, causing water ingress that will result in significant damage.

This easy, time-efficient repair could save you a headache down the line. Gutters should also be securely affixed to the roof’s edges, otherwise, rainwater will leak between the gutter and exterior wall, damaging the siding.

Moreover, the SHQ (Société d’assurance habitation du Québec) recommends checking the gutters’ incline, which should dip 3 millimetres every metre to drain rainwater effectively. Pay close attention to the gutter downspouts—they should never be obstructed.

If so, use a broom handle to dislodge debris stuck inside the piping. Note that sections of the structure can easily be taken apart to be cleaned individually.

3) Head up to your attic

An attic inspection should be done to spot any signs of water ingress. Such a situation might result from a lack of insulation, which should be fixed promptly. A too-high humidity level can also lead to mould growth. That said, take the necessary measures to improve ventilation.

On another note, vent grilles should be thoroughly cleaned to provide optimal yield. A meticulous inspection should confirm that they have an airtight seal.

4) Check the state of your chimney

If your house prominently features a brick chimney, monitor the state of the mortar joints and hire a professional to carry out any necessary repairs (repointing). Pay close attention to the top part of the chimney since the joints are exposed to all sorts of weather and tend to deteriorate faster. 

To ensure your chimney remains in tip-top shape for the foreseeable future, use waterproof protection to prevent potential joint repairs. Such protection can be applied over all the exterior walls to shield your home from water ingress and mortar joint deterioration. It’s also important to hire a service company specializing in chimney sweeping. 

5) Inspect your exterior siding

Walk the perimeter of your house to spot any damage. If your house is clad with brick and mortar, make sure all the joints are sound, as you did with your chimney. Hiring a specialist is often recommended to ensure all repairs are carefully done.

Water infiltrating via the mortar joints can have disastrous consequences on your exterior siding. Moreover, to prevent deterioration, check whether your brick cladding is bulging or bowing (outward swelling of a brick wall).

In doing so, make sure the sealant (caulk) around your windows is still reliable and that there are no risks of water-related damage.

Check for cracks when inspecting the exterior siding. If there’s visible cracking, hire a professional to assess the extent of the damage and proceed with the appropriate repairs. Pay close attention to the presence of white deposits or mould on exterior walls. Said white stains are a sign of efflorescence, which occurs when water leaks through exterior siding. The white stains appear as a result of water seeping inside the concrete, dissolving the salts found in the ingredients.

If you have an efflorescence problem, carefully and adequately clean all affected surfaces to ensure your foundation’s longevity.

6) Wash your deck or patio

Given the buildup of dirt on your deck or patio during the fall and winter, power washing it come spring will give it a much-needed refresh and restore it to its former glory. Naturally, for deep-cleaning purposes, follow our guidelines regarding the proper use of a pressure washer. 

7) Clean windows and lubricate hinges

Unfortunately, there’s no way around it! Washing your windows is paramount to revamping the look of your house. There is no need to use a store-bought product; a mixture of hot water and dish soap is especially effective, provided you’re carefully washing your windows and wiping them dry in a circular motion.

Also, make sure the hardware (locks, hinges) is lubricated using silicone lubricant. Ideally, repeat this task twice yearly.

Getting Your Home Spring-Ready: Additional Pointers

If your heat pump sits at ground level, make sure it’s level with the ground—the earth may have shifted due to changing temperatures. If you own a central heating system, schedule a maintenance appointment as soon as the weather takes a turn for the better. Lastly, don’t overlook your dryer’s exterior vent! Make sure it’s clean and lint-free.