The essential checklist for spring cleaning your home

After a harsh winter you're probably ready to erase the damage caused by Mother Nature’s frigid wrath. To help you gear up for the warmer weather, here's a spring cleaning checklist for your home to keep it looking good and trouble-free.

After the last snow has melted and once the ground has dried, it's a good idea to walk around the outside of your house and property to look for issues hidden by winter's snow and ice. Make sure that you:

• Check for damage to your brick or siding
  Walk around the exterior of your home and look for any peeling paint, damaged brick or siding.
• Examine for signs of critters
  If you see insect wings, mud tubes or damage to your wood, contact a pest control professional right away.
• Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts
  Also make sure your downspouts slope away from your foundation (to prevent water damage) and that they drain about two metres away from your home.
• Look for any signs of roof damage
  Scan for any loose or buckling shingles. If you’re uncomfortable replacing them or climbing up on the roof, hire a professional.
• Survey for window damage and replace caulking
  If any of it is loose or peeling, remove it and re-caulk.
• Assess if there is any damage to your deck
  Look to see if winter has left behind any loose nails, boards, wobbly stairs or railings. If so, repair them right away. Then power-wash your deck and re-stain it to keep it looking like new.
• Scan for potential flooding areas
  Low areas in the yard or next to your foundation can lead to flooding and costly repairs. Fill in any areas with compacted soil and make sure to grade the lawn so it slopes away from your foundation.
• Scrutinize for damage
  Closely inspect your driveway, sidewalk and walkways for any cracked or damaged concrete. Fill cracks with concrete crack filler or silicone caulk.
• Prune your trees
  Look for any branches that may have dried up over winter.
• Prune perennial plants
  Don’t let them take over your flowerbeds.
• Spruce-up your garden
  Add fresh soil and fertilizer to your flowerbeds to get them ready for spring blooms.
• Remove firewood stored near the home
  In the summer, this firewood can become a fire hazard. That’s why firewood should be stored 45 cm off the ground and at least 60 cm from your house. What's more, it could be a source of termites that might be tempted to invade your house.

While the effects of a harsh winter might seem easier to spot outdoors, the interior of your home will still need some attention, too. To be sure that everything is working and in top order, you should:

• Scrub your air conditioner and HVAC filters
  If the filter is reusable, rinse it and dry it. If it’s not, replace it. Have a qualified technician inspect your cooling coils to make sure they can operate at peak performance during those hot summer days.
• Clean your dryer vent and exhaust ducts
  Unplug the dryer, and open up the vent on the back of your dryer. Clean out any lint and debris using a vacuum.
• Inspect the basement for water damage
  Your house is vulnerable to floods in the spring months. Check for musty smells, water stains or damp surfaces. If you find something, repair it right away. Then make sure your sump pump is in good working order. It’s smart to have a backup, battery-powered sump pump system in case of an emergency and your first one overflows.
• Test your alarms
  Test all smoke alarms, CO2 monitors, fire extinguishers, and review your family fire escape plan. At least once a year you should review your home’s safety features, make sure nothing is expired and replace any batteries.

Going through this checklist will help ensure your home is in tip-top shape for you to enjoy all spring and summer.