Winter can do some harm to our homes! With the skies clearing up for more sun (hopefully sooner), here are some tips you can use to get your home ready for Spring and in perfect shape in no time!

Regular upkeep of your home can help extend the life of its components and save you thousands of dollars over time. The following preventative measure is relatively inexpensive and usually only needs to be addressed once or twice a year. Many of them are simple enough that you may want to do them yourself! You can always call a professional whenever you need more help or don't exactly know how to get some of these things done.

Roof: Fall and Spring are good times to conduct routine maintenance on the roof, including replacement of missing or damaged shingles or times and checking for signs of blistering or damage that can lead to leaks. Clear all debris from the roof and gutters, especially the valleys where it can accumulate and cause water to puddle.

Siding: Clean your home's exterior with a garden hose sprayer and mild detergent or a power washer after winter passes. Tighten loose trim and add caulk to areas with cracks to keep the elements from intruding and causing further damage to the structure.

Irrigation: Check the sprinkler system thoroughly to spot and fix leaks and make sure water is not spraying against your home's foundation or siding.

Basement: Watch for signs of moisture intrusion and find the source of any leaks that can lead to serious mould or fungus problems if left unaddressed.

Kitchen/Baths: Replace damages caulking around tubs, showers, sinks, and toilets to avoid water-related damage to the walls, floors, and cabinets.

Dryer: Remove accumulated lint from the exhaust duct at the back of the dryer. Use a long-handled brush to clear the vent that leads outside. Blockages not only impact performance, but they can also be a fire hazard.

Refrigerator: To keep your fridge working well, clean dirt and lint from its condenser coils once or twice a year. Access the coils on the back of the unit or behind the front grill and use a vacuum attachment or coil brush to clean the debris. Failing to remove the build-up can stress the condenser and cause expensive and premature damage to the unit.

Please forward this to any of your friends, family, and colleagues to help them get an early start on repairs!