Spring is around the corner

Keep ground cover away from the siding.

Ideally there should be 4-6 inches of clearance from the grade level to the bottom of the siding. This would include rocks, pathways, soil, bark mulch, etc. Maintaining good clearance prevents premature deterioration of the siding, chance of water entering the crawlspace/basement and insect activity around the building.

Check your roof

Have a look up. Over winter debris falls, moss grows and fasteners can loosen. If you see or are suspicious of the condition of your roof we recommend that you have a professional contractor do a maintenance check. Keeping the roof clear from debris and moss growth can extend the life of your roof. This is best to do by hand and it's recommended that gentle laundry soap be used to get rid of moss growth. Simply spread the laundry soap across the surface where moss is growing and along the ridge. Commercial cleaners can be harsh and shorten the life of the shingles. DO NOT pressure wash your roof or have a professional do this for you. A pressure washer is too harsh and can remove granules from the roof surface. 

Clean gutter and downspout and do a maintenance check

Now that your roof is cleaned, clean your gutters. Once the gutters are cleaned have a look at the connection points. Gutters tend to leak at corner joints. Anywhere leaks are found the spot can be caulked on the inside of the gutter. It’s important to maintain a smooth finish when caulking so the water can flow to the downspouts without resistance.

Once the gutters are all cleaned up have a look at the fasteners that connect gutters to downspouts and downspouts together. Simply reconnecting any loose systems will keep water flowing away from the building.

Finally have a look at where the downspouts discharge.  Downspouts should discharge 6 feet away from the building.

In older homes it was common practice to have the downspouts discharge into the perimeter drain. As these perimeter drains age they tend to get clogged, deteriorate and are unable to handle the water running off the roof through the downspouts. It is now recommended to disconnect downspouts from the perimeter drain and extended them 6 feet away from the building. This is an easy improvement that we recommend home owners to do.

Spring and summer siding maintenance

Have a walk around your home looking at the siding as you go. Check that there are no nails/fasteners popping out and the overall condition of the siding. Reattach any loose pieces and secure any popped fasteners. Spring and summer is the best time to paint and stain. Painting/staining will extend the life of your siding, trim, decks etc. It’s inexpensive and one of the best “bang for your buck” improvements. Keeping the home’s exterior in good overall condition will add value to your home and pride in home ownership.

If your home has vinyl or metal siding a good hand wash is recommended. It is a little more time consuming then the pressure washer but again the pressure washer can be harsh on your siding. Hand washing the siding will have a longer lasting effect as you are able to clean the siding better with a more personal touch.

Time to plant your garden

Growing a garden can be incredibly rewarding for you and your neighborhood. Keep in mind that bushes and trees should be kept away from the building. Perennials are an easy way to have a rewarding garden with a limited amount of work. On Vancouver Island rhododendrons are fantastic. They are evergreens and bloom with a beautiful flower yearly. They are available in many sizes and colors. Heather is also another nice choice. They again bloom yearly and are available in a variety of colors. And of course plant a fruit tree. “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the next best time is today”.

Thank you for reading our blog. We hope you enjoyed it.