Let's get ready for Spring in Sunset Country,
Often in Northwestern Ontario, the weather gets warm and no one tells the snow, it sticks around unwelcome. The large accumulation of snow that fell this year is going to drag out the melt. While the snow will go in time, we're more than likely in for a long spring, so let's use the time to get ready.
Spring Maintenance for your Home
Do you know how to do a basic personal home inspection? Are you ready for the inevitable results of the spring melt? What's on your spring cleaning list?
Here are a few reminders to help us to get in the warm weather state of mind. Let's bring the shine and fresh air back to our beautiful homes and dig ourselves out of this winter.
Keep an eye on the Exterior
Winter is hard, especially on our homes. Do a walk around your property and inspect the exterior to check for any structural changes.
Take a good look at your:
Roof
Chimney
Exterior Walls
Foundation
Windows
Look for warping, leaning or any other abnormalities that may have come from this year's snow accumulation. By keeping an eye on the Exteriors of our homes we can pinpoint any changes before they become a problem.
Let's Prepare
First and foremost if your home has a basement make sure you have your number one best friend, a sump pump.
When the snow starts melting it will be in force, the amount of water that will come from this year's snow accumulation keeps me up at night.
In fact, if you have one sump pump go and get a second just to be on the safe side.
Spring Cleaning
We will all breathe a little easier after a little spring cleaning.
Let's get ready for an amazing summer to come.
Clean your Windows
While most people remember the obvious when it comes to this step, tiding up the glass of your windows is just the first part. Make sure you give your window dressings a good going-over as well. Drapes, curtains, etc aired out or washed if possible, and blinds wiped down and sanitized. You and your family have been breathing and living in a closed-in space for the last half a year. Next focus on the tracks and the ledges of your windows, wipe those down and disinfect them. Make sure you start spring off with the freshest of air coming into your home.
Disinfect your Outdoor Garbage Bin
One of the nastiest parts of our life is the rubbish that we create, tiding up how you dispose of your daily waste will be oh so satisfying. It's warmer and everything that has frozen to the side of the bins is warming up as well. An easy trick is to reach for some healthy alternatives, use vinegar and dish soap in some water, use this mixture to scrub away and sanitize the mess.
While this is the last stop for the stuff exiting your home, you have to visit regularly, make sure it's not a horrifying experience.
Degrease your Range Hood Filter
You've been cooking inside a closed space all winter long. That filter is going to be holding on to every meal you've steamed, sautéed or burnt and the oil build-up in the filters can be extreme.
Your best bet is to fully remove the filters and let them soak in a solution to help dissolve that oil. Try soaking it in a solution of 2 cups vinegar and some washing liquid for a few hours. Wipe down the hood itself with a similar solution, mix vinegar, dish soap and water in a bucket or bowl clean the inner portion of the hood as well. Dry and replace the filter and enjoy the much cleaner air in your kitchen.
Replace the Batteries in your Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors
This is just a reminder as the seasons change, the humidity can affect battery durability. It is recommended to test your alarms monthly as well. To test both of these all you'll need to do is press and/or hold the test button on the alarm, refer to your specific model and manual to know if it's working properly.
Dig into your Downspouts and Eavestrough
If you haven't already, clear the snow off of your roof, this will prevent ice build-up on your eaves and on your shingles. Dig out your garden gloves and a ladder. We want to get any leaves, debris and chunks of ice out of your eavestrough. I like to flush out the downspout with warm water as well. We want to make sure any leftover leaves and twigs from last autumn aren't going to hinder the spring melt.
Vacuum your Air return and Dryer vents
Dust, debris, animal toys and the elusive sock. Take the cover off and give the duct a good inspection, you never know what could have ended up in there this winter. A blocked dryer vent can also be an easily avoided fire hazard.
Pull out your bigger appliances
Same as your air return vents, your bigger appliances are catchalls for dust and debris. Pull your fridge out from the wall and vacuum its coils on the backside, and make sure to check underneath at the front, that will be where all the debris has more than likely been swept under and therefore accumulated.
Direct the Melt
As the snow melts it will compress and in turn, will get more difficult to move. Shovel a trench around your home and push the snow away from your foundations. You want to direct the water away from your basement as much as possible.
Get your BBQ ready
Grills are a frequent location where animals like to hide for the winter so make sure you do a quick once-over before you start up the burners. Depending on your Grill or Barbecue your cleaning process will be a little different. Light it up; Start by burning off any leftover food particles or grime that has gathered on your grill. After a while, turn the grill off, disconnect your gas and give the grates a quick scrape with your bbq brush, then let the BBQ cool. Next, fill a bucket with some warm water and dish soap and go over the exterior, take the knobs off and soak them, wash out the grease tray and wipe down the greasy interior. Once everything is cleaned and back in place, I like to turn the grill back on and temper the grate and burn off any residue.
Let's get warm weather ready!
CENTURY 21 Northern Choice Realty Ltd. Brokerage
INFO ET SERVICES
CENTURY 21 Northern Choice Realty Ltd. Brokerage
213 Main Street South, Kenora, ON P9N1T3
(807) 468-3747
INFO ET SERVICES
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