With the longer days and warmer temperatures, it is finally starting to feel like Spring has arrived. This a great time to ensure your home is ready for the summer. It is always handy to make a list of the tasks. Always start with the indoor maintenance; that way, when the days get warmer, you can look after the outdoor tasks.

The following are all tasks that you can do yourself:

Clean The House

• Vacuum the entire house, including the top of cabinets, ceiling fans, furniture and even all mattress
• Clean the tile in the bathrooms and look for any missing grout
• Clean the filter above your stove (use a degreaser mixed with hot water)
• Vacuum your refrigerator coils; this will save you money
• Check and clean the dryer vent and check that it is not blocked outside

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

• Check the furnace and air conditioner for leaks
• Change the filter
• Check for any water near the furnace or hot water heater
• Check that there are no sticks or leaves on the air conditioner unit outside and consider having it serviced
• Inspect one of the cold air returns to see if duck cleaning is required

Home Safety Check

• Do a safety check of your home to include a test of all the smoke/carbon dioxide detectors
• Change the detector batteries
• Check the fires extinguishers (have one for each floor of the house)
• Test the garage door auto-reverse safety feature

Room Inspection

• Inspect each room for any water damage
• Check the attic for signs of water damage, mould or small animals, check the insulation and that the vents have proper airflow
• In the basement, check for any cracks, water damage or mould.
• Check all bathrooms, below the kitchen sink and the laundry area for any leaks, cracked pipes or corrosion

Ready for Summer

When you have completed the Spring maintenance, you will be ready to look after the outside of your home. You may want to keep this list and use it as part of an annual Home Maintenance Plan. If you find any problems when you are checking your home, call a professional contractor to make any repairs.