Spring Has Sprung!

Today marks the official start of spring (also known as the Vernal Equinox) and for most of us, spring is synonymous with cleaning and changing over the seasons. Although most people focus on seasonal changes like closets (putting winter clothing away and bringing out light jackets, shoes etc.) snow-removal equipment, patio furniture and yard toys, there are a lot of things happening inside your home that you should be aware of during the spring.

Here is a small list of some of the maintenance items our customers get notified of with respect to this time of year:

1. Sump pump: For northern/snowy climates, the melt-off could cause your sump pump to work overtime. Make sure it's functional with proper drainage away from your house.
2. Bird nesting: For many birds spring is nesting season and since we've replaced many trees with homes, birds still do not hesitate to look for nooks, crannies and crevices on our homes. A quick walk-around to make sure vents / troughs are properly closed only takes a few moments. Even BBQ's are an ideal location for birds to set up shop!
3. Siding, shingles, flashing & vents: Over the winter months, the weight of snow and ice can quite easily disturb structures around your home and on your roof. If you haven't taken down your Christmas lights by now, spend an extra few moments walking around your roof and the perimeter of your home to make sure troughs, flashing, shingles, smoke stacks, drain-waste vents (aka "stink pipes) haven't been disturbed or damaged. Quite often, this is where leaks and structural damages can begin.
4. Spring Forward: With the time change (1 hour ahead on March 13th, 2011 at 2am). Many people update their clocks but forget to update appliances on a timer such as water softeners, alarms, exterior lights or thermostats. Although, technically this won't affect the cost of your bills, in the case of the thermostat, you will be heating your home 1 hour earlier than needed and start the cool-down process an hour earlier as well.
5. Basement Humidity Levels: With the snow melt that occurs during March/April, spring is an ideal time to check humidity levels in your basement. If there are any cracks, leaks or compromised areas in your foundation, these will be most prevalent during these months. Simply walking around your basement and looking for wet spots, leaks or a powdery white substance called efflorescence will give you a good indication of humidity levels. If your basement is finished, renting a thermal imaging camera or hiring a professional who offers these services will allow you to see see behind the walls for any potentially hazardous spots.

These are merely a few of the home maintenance tips we send our customers throughout the year in order to minimize repair costs, extend the value of our customers homes and minimize the time spent fixing their homes. On average, our customers will save $25,000 in home repair costs, energy-savings and eco-friendly alternatives throughout the life of the customer's home.

Home Reminders
info@homereminders.ca
www.homereminders.ca


HomeReminders
info@HomeReminders.ca
www.HomeReminders.ca
Twitter: @HomeReminders
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