HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-05-07, Page 23(NC)—The beginning of a new
season is the time to inspect your
home to help flag potential trouble
areas and identify opportunities to
freshen up its look.
To help take the guesswork out of
home maintenance this spring, here
is a maintenance checklist for the
interior and exterior of the home.
Indoors:
• Inspect furnace filters to assess if
the filter should be replaced. Filters
should be changes every 90 days or
sooner. As a tip to remember – write
the date on the front of the filter
when installing it so you know when
it is due to be replaced
• Replace batteries and check all
smoke detectors, CO2 monitors and
fire extinguishers. Also re-assess
your planned fire escape route to
ensure it is still the most convenient
and safest option for your family.
• Check that home security alarms
as well as interior door and window
locks are in good, working
condition.
• Adjust thermostat for seasonal
temperature changes. A
programmable thermostat is a great
option as it can be set to provide
optimal comfort and energy savings
for each day of the week.
• If your home has a basement,
walk from corner to corner of the
room, looking for any signs of
cracks or leaks.
Outdoors:
• Spring is the perfect time to do
some cleaning and organizing.
• Inspect the driveway for any
cracks. Paving the driveway will
keep it looking new and protect
against weather-damage. While
there many options for re-paving the
driveway, asphalt is a more cost
effective option, making it one of the
more popular choices.
• Check the exterior of the home
for peeling paint. The average
exterior paint job lasts five to eight
years, but can be prolonged with
annual touch-ups. Scrape, sand and
repaint any patches that are peeling
before the wood deteriorates.
• Trim bushes, shrubs and plants
back at least 18 inches from the
house, as they can cause moisture
damage.
• Clear the roof of all debris. Look
for missing, slipped, sagging
shingles on the roof and replace as
necessary. Also, be sure to clean out
the eavestrough as this is a popular
spot for leaves and twigs.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009. PAGE 23.
Continued from page 22
property line when it reaches
maturity, it could cause trouble for
you with your neighbours.
Also, you don’t want the tree to be
in a position where it’s impeding
sunlight from reaching a
neighbour’s home in winter (or your
own home for that matter).
Before deciding on where to plant
your tree, know how big it is likely
to get, and make sure you don’t
plant it too close to your property
line, especially if it will be very
large once it reaches maturity.
· What is the tree history? Most
local nurseries won’t sell trees that
have proven problematic to residents
of the area in the past.
Some trees carry with them a
susceptibility to certain disease or
insect infestations, while others are
known for having weak wood that
won’t stand up well in areas where
wind is a staple of the weather.
Be sure that the nursery you
choose only sells trees that have a
proven track record of success in
your area. While it’s a nice idea to
have an exotic tree in your yard, it’s
not nice to have to pay to treat such
trees when they can’t handle the
local weather or insect population.
· What will the tree look like?
Looks are important, as no one
wants to plant an eyesore in their
front yard. Trees can be wonderful
additions to a landscape by
complementing surrounding flowers
or shrubs and even the colour of
your home.
Ask a local nursery professional
what a specific tree will look like
throughout the seasons.
Don’t block neighbour’s sun
Spring coat
Spring’s a great time for giving your home a fresh look,
inside and out. (MS submitted)
Inspect your home to flag potential trouble spots
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Remember
Mom with
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Certificate
JOHN D. PENNINGTON
HEATING & COOLING LTD.
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• Hi-efficiency oil, gas and propane furnaces
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Serving Brussels, Wingham, Goderich,
and surrounding areas
Brussels
1-519-887-9233
Fax 1-519-887-9654
Licensed Professionals