You know the saying, “April showers bring May flowers”? Well it definitely rings true in this case, as we are seeing the showers and the occasional snowfall. Although we know that this month or two can be a blessing in its extra precipitation for our gardens, grass, and plants, there are some other important things to consider in the best interests of your home.
Here are some helpful tips for a Spring To-Do List, to make sure that your home is in tip-top shape that will save you money in the long run.
1. Roof Check:
Look for any broken or missing shingles. If you are not sure, I would suggest hiring a professional to look at your roof more closely to see if you need to make any repairs.
2. Drainage System:
If you do not have an eavestrough I would highly recommend getting one. No matter the season, eavestroughs are one of the most important things to do to keep water and moisture away from the house. Unfortunately, not many builders have that included in the home, nor does every re-sale home have it covered for when you move in either. So when you eavestrough your home, make sure that it is in place before it gets too cold out, and make sure it is done on every roof line. If you already have eavestroughs just ensure that they are doing their job and that the excess water is being moved far enough away to prevent flooding.
3. Keep your gutters clean:
- Keep them free of blockages and debris.
- Install a mesh gutter guard. This will keep dirt amongst other things, from clogging up the pipes, therefore, allowing water to easily pass through the gutters.
- Each season you should check to make sure that the gutters are still well-tightened to the home.
- Homes can have more than one roofline and they all need to have gutters lined up to them, as well as having your downspout expel water a minimum of one metre away from the foundation. You can always purchase an extension as well, for around $10-15.
4. Grading Check:
If there are big puddles on your lawn this could mean that there is an issue with the grading. Your yard should slope downward, away from the house so that the water goes away from the foundation. When the ground is fully thawed out you should call a landscaper to help re-grade it.
5. Sump Pumping:
You can always look into getting a mechanized device that will help remove excess below-grade water away from your foundation. If you already have one, then it would help to inspect it to make sure it is still working properly, as it typically will last about 10 years or so, depending on how much you use it. You can do this by yourself, in a number of ways, including, taking off the lid and pouring it in the water to see if the pump kicks on. You can purchase a sump pump online or at another home hardware retailer, ranging from $100-500 depending on the brand and the need.
6. Look for Moisture:
- Use a relative humidity meter (RH) to measure different areas of your home and see if there are any trouble spots. A comfortable RH level is between 40 and 50%.
- Look for any signs of condensation, wood rot, mold, and peeling paint.
- Check for leaks in your basement, roof and attic, crawl spaces, closets, and windowsills.
- Examine sinks, tubs, and pipes for leaks. If there are any seal them promptly to prevent water from leaking into the walls.
7. Maintain HRV:
Check for cracks in the asphalt or concrete driveways and walkways. Repair or reseal them before winter, otherwise, water can freeze and expand in the cracks, creating more damage.
8. Dehumidifier:
Basements are known to create more moisture than other areas in a home due to moisture seeping through the foundation, entering through water leaks, or high humidity levels. This moisture can cause mold and mildew to develop which can cause health issues and structural damage to the home. Putting a dehumidifier in the basement and keeping humidity levels below 50 percent can prevent these issues, as well as, protect the indoor air quality.
We hope this was helpful and wish you a Happy Home and a Happy Spring!
Best Wishes from The Ritchie Twins
https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/maintenance-and-repair/repairing/moisture-audit
