Now that warmer weather has finally arrived, it’s time to take care of those home maintenance tasks we all meant to do last month. Although most of us assume that spring maintenance is all about cleaning and organizing, this is also your opportunity to give your home thorough inspection to make sure everything’s in great shape and as beautiful as ever.
The Roof
Check for loose, missing or damaged shingles. Also check the condition of your eaves troughs. If they need to be replaced, vinyl ones are the most affordable and are easiest to work with, making the material ideal for DIY installation.
The Exterior
Walk around and check the exterior of your home. Is the brickwork or original material showing signs of wear and tear? It may be time to give your home a makeover with new siding. Vinyl siding is a great choice, thanks to the full range of colours available, its durability and ease of maintenance. Plus, installing insulated vinyl siding can also boost your home’s R-value, which can contribute to your home’s energy efficiency.
Windows
Give them a good look and a thorough cleaning, especially the screens. Compared to other traditional materials, vinyl windows are virtually maintenance free and high quality ones will do a better job at keeping the heat in your home during the winter. Look for window models that display the ENERGY STAR® logo, indicating that the window has a high efficiency rating.
Exterior Doors
Check the condition of your doors to see how they’re holding up. Consider a fresh coat of paint or a new door to make your entrance more inviting. Still love your doors? No problem! Ensure the locks and knobs turn well (apply dry graphite if they tend to stick), and clean both sides of the doors, including storm doors, as well as their windows and screens.
The Deck
Inspect the underside and supports as well as the deck surface to see how it survived the winter. Tired of the ongoing maintenance your wood deck requires? For a deck that always looks good and requires a minimum of maintenance (a quick rinse with water keeps it looking fresh), you can’t go wrong with a durable, dependable vinyl one.
Air Conditioning
For those with central air conditioning (lucky you!), change the filter and do a test run before things heat up. For those with air conditioning units, clean the surface, check to ensure nothing blocks the fan or air intake, and give it a short run.
Appliances
Your appliances need a little love to ensure they work properly. Vacuum around each appliance – especially behind fridges and stoves – and make sure nothing has fallen back there, like bags or vegetables the kids don’t like. Also check under the freezer: ice build-up or water can indicate a problem.
Bathrooms
Check tile grout and caulking around the tub, sinks and toilet to make sure it’s still keeping water out. Repair or replace if necessary.
Floors and baseboards
No matter what covers your floors, it’s probably been ages since those baseboards have had any attention. Give them a through clean. While you’re down there, check the condition of your current flooring. Quality vinyl flooring will provide your rooms with a gorgeous foundation that handles heavy traffic well and is easy to keep clean. Plus it features antibacterial properties that make it ideal for those with allergies.
A note on vinyl’s sustainability
The manufacturing of vinyl is an extremely efficient process, with virtually no waste. Vinyl is also created from two simple ingredients: chlorine (extracted from salt) and natural gas. The material’s durability also means that vinyl products can last longer than other materials when cared for properly, which is better for the environment and a homeowner’s budget.
So there you have it – everything you need to take care of before summer hits. Once you’re done, you deserve a nice long break out on the deck or in the backyard!
