Fall Maintenance tips from a Vancouver Home Inspector
When I inspect homes all over the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley with my clients, one of the things I'm always talking about is the importance of regular home maintenance. When I grew up in Surrey, my dad was always tinkering around, fixing this and that, and working around the home on weekends. With a big family, he also had his five boys helping with the yard work and maintenance. He taught me about the importance of keeping the house well maintained.
As a homeowner in BC you know that maintaining a home can be a year-round job. No home is immune to wear and tear, and if you want to protect your real estate investments, you should try to stay two steps ahead to ensure your home doesn't succumb to the elements or become outdated and unappealing to prospective buyers.
Fall has become a season that's synonymous with home improvement, but you don't need to wait until the leaves change colors to start planning your next project. The following are a few items homeowners can add to their fall home improvement to-do lists.
Roof inspection
In Vancouver, it rains less in summer than in fall or winter. If you've lived here for aa while, you're almost certain to see more rain around PNE time! Over the years we've seen less rain, but come Fall, it's a given. After all, we are considered a rainforest. But due to the dry summer, you may not be aware of a leaky roof until autumn has come and gone. But waiting until winter to inspect the roof can prove to be a problem, as weather conditions will not be conducive to inspection and increased rain may result in potentially costly damage. A simple inspection tip: look for a leaky roof problem by looking for water stains on interior ceilings. Once you see a new stain, you can climb onto the roof to identify the location of the leak and fix it before winter rains and snowfall turn the problem into something much larger. You should always Inspect your ceilings for signs of leaking after a strong rainfall, and then address any leaks immediately.
Gutter cleaning
If you've read my blogs, you know I've said this over and over again. While some homeowners prefer to delay their gutter cleaning projects until late fall, If you have trees around your Vancouver home you need to consider that gutter cleaning is going to be an ongoing process. Gutters clogged with leaves and other debris often causes serious roof damage, and quite often that damage can extend all the way inside a home's interior.
And as well, clogged gutters make a great nest ares for critters or insects.
Always stand on a well positioned ladder when cleaning gutters, and wear gloves to remove items by hand. Drop the leaves and debris material into a garbage can below.
It's important to note that standing on the roof and leaning over gutters can greatly increases your risk of injury. If gutters are clear when you first examine them, you can wait until later in the season to give them a complete and thorough cleaning.
After you have finished clearing the gutters, use your hose to run water through them and the downspouts to confirm everything is working properly. If the idea of standing on ladders makes you a little nervous, there are some excellent gutter cleaning companies all throughout the Lower Mainland. Make sure that they are Worksafe covered.
Window and doorway inspection
Cooler temps can sometimes come quickly in the Lower Mainland. Before temperatures start dropping once again, have a good look at your windows and doorways for leaks. Over time, cracks can develop around windows and doors, and while such cracks are barely noticeable when the weather outside is nice and warm, they can be quite evident and expensive if they remain unsealed come the start of winter. Cold air enters a home through cracks around windows and doorways. Many homeowners who don't suspect leaks often up the thermostats in their homes to keep warm. That can prove quite expensive over the chilly season. Choose a windy fall day to place a hand by windows and exterior doors in your home to see if you can feel a draft. If you can, seal these cracks as soon as possible.
Cleanup the Patio
Sundecks and patios are popular places to hang during spring and summer, and that can result in a lot of wear and tear on furniture and deck surfaces. Once you store patio furniture for the winter, inspect your entire patio to determine if it needs any refurbishing. While specific patio projects may be best left for spring, you can still clean any stained areas around the grill and look for cracks in sidewalks that need to be addressed. You don't want trip hazards when it's an icy or typical rainy Vancouver day.
Preparing for fall home improvement projects ahead of time can help homeowners complete projects on time and ensures they won't be forced to brave the winter elements when refurbishing their homes.