VANCOUVER HOMEOWNERS PRE-SUMMER MUST-DOS
With the weather getting gradually warm, it’s the perfect time for Vancouver residents to finally go out and enjoy the beautiful sunlight. But before you start planning your BBQ party, there is some cleaning you should do to get rid of all the dust and grime accumulation during winter. That way, your entire summer will be more enjoyable as you won’t have to worry about the state of your home anymore.
In this post, we have brought you a pre-summer cleaning checklist, as well as some tips and tricks for home maintenance in Vancouver. The main goal of this checklist is to help you clean your house quickly and efficiently. That means not only are you getting the house interior cleaned, but you also have a nice, clean exterior too.
Without further ado, let’s jump into it then…
PRE-SUMMER CLEANING HOUSE CHECKLIST
- Wash your walls, stairwells, and hallways with high traffic
- Touch up paint
- Wash curtains
- Wipe down blinds
- Clean windows and their tracks (don’t forget the tracks because they fill up with dust and dirt)
- Dust your air vents and change out the filters
- Test smoke detectors
Bear in mind that while cleaning your windows seems like such an obvious task, you shouldn’t forget about your window tracks. Because no matter if you leave your windows open or not, tracks are where all the dust, mold, mildew, and insect bodies accumulate. So cleaning tracks is as important as cleaning the window glass and cleaning your window glass alone won’t do the trick.
OUTDOOR CLEANING CHECKLIST
- Inspect roof materials and roof flashing.
- Clean and inspect gutters and downspouts.
- We recommend booking a roof cleaning and gutter cleaning appointment 2 to 3 months after the initial roof cleaning is done.
- Inspect siding, walkways and path for moss and algae buildup that may have grown over the rainy months – Pressure wash if necessary.
- Inspect foundation cracks for moisture and insects.
- Inspect vents and other protected areas for bird and insect nests.
- Inspect weather-stripping around doors and windows. Repair if necessary.
- Clean windows and door screens. Repair and replace damaged screens.
- Inspect caulking and re-caulk if necessary.
- Clean debris away from your home.
- Trim trees and shrubs away from your home.
- Inspect decks, steps and rails for loose or damaged boards and raised nails.
Gutter cleaning is also called for with all the raining that happens in Vancouver. The houses in Vancouver are more prone to damage as they’re often exposed to trees and bushes that make it harder to get the gutter cleaned. So if you’re a person who doesn’t clean their gutter regularly, you might want to start now, that is if you want to avoid damage to your property.
INDOOR PRE-SUMMER CLEANING CHECKLIST
- Inspect walls and ceilings for cracks, bows, sags and leans.
- Inspect the dishwasher for leaks.
- Clean range fan blades and housing.
- Clean and test refrigerator door gasket.
- Vacuum refrigerator coils.
- Clean washer’s water inlet filters and inspect hoses for leaks.
- Vacuum lint from dryer ducts and surrounding areas.
- Polish wood furniture, and dust light fixtures.
PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL CHECKLIST
- Inspect sinks and plumbing shut-off valves for leaks.
- Test toilets for stability and inspect for leaks.
- Inspect caulking around sinks, showers and bathtubs. Re-caulk if necessary.
- “Exercise” circuit breakers.
- Check for frayed appliance cords.
Start checking these items off your checklist one by one, and when you’re done, there will be nothing to worry about and you can just enjoy your beautiful house during summertime.
