A Toronto winter is hard on a house. Water freezes in every small gap, expands and makes the gap bigger. Spring is when you find out what it did. An hour with this list can save you a much larger repair in July.
Outside
- Eavestroughs and downspouts. Clear out the leaves and grit, then check that the downspouts send water away from the foundation and not down beside it.
- Roof. From the ground, look for missing or lifted shingles. Leave the ladder work to a roofer.
- Outdoor taps. Turn the supply back on and watch for drips inside the basement wall. A pipe that froze over winter often shows itself now.
- Windows and doors. Cracked or missing sealant lets rain in behind the frame. Recaulking is a small job that prevents an expensive one.
- Deck and fence. Push on the railings and walk every board. Fix anything loose and check whether the wood needs staining. Deck repairs and estimates
- Lawn and beds. Rake out the dead grass, cut back what died off and edge the beds before things start growing. Landscaping
Inside
- Air conditioner. Have it serviced before the first hot day. Heating and cooling
- Furnace filter. It has worked all winter. Replace it.
- Sump pump. Pour a bucket of water into the pit and make sure the pump starts and empties it. Spring rain is not the time to find out it has failed.
- Basement. Look for damp patches, white powdery marks on the walls or a musty smell.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Press the test button and change the batteries if they are due.
- Window screens. Patch or replace them before the mosquitoes arrive.
What to do yourself and what to book
Most of the checking is easy to do yourself. The fixing is another matter. Anything on the roof, anything involving gas and anything behind the electrical panel belongs with a licensed trade. For the rest, a single handyman visit can clear a spring list in one go.
Write down what you find, take a few photos and send us the list. We will work out who is needed and confirm the price before anything is booked.