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Spring Home Maintenance Tips

4/18/2016

 
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​Check the A/C

Have a qualified HVAC contractor? Give your air-conditioning system a tune-up. To help lower your energy bills, do this every year to ensure the system is running at its manufacturer-rated efficiency. Also make sure to inspect your system's condensate drain hose, especially if you live in a humid climate. This hose could become clogged with algae and sediment, and your contractor may charge you more to clean it out. Avoid this extra cost by checking the hose periodically yourself. Use a wet-vac to suction any blockage out from it.

Check the Roof and Gutters

The hot summer sun can quickly damage a roof's shingles, so you may want to call a contractor if you haven't inspected your roof in several years. Clean out the leaves and other debris that have collected in them. Then check to see if the gutters are safely attached and haven't sprung any leaks. Also, make sure that downspouts direct water away from the house's foundation, to prevent a potential basement flood.

Check the Foundation

For further basement flood protection, inspect the foundation around your house before the spring rains. Look for cracks or imperfections, and seal them or call a contractor if necessary. Also look for low areas in the yard near the foundation that might pool water during a heavy rain. Level these yard depressions by filling them with compacted soil. Tend to any other "ponding" areas around the yard, too, because after a hard rain, standing water can develop. These puddles can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Maintain Your Deck

If you have a patio deck, inspect the wood for stains, discolorations, or warping. If you find any, consider resealing the deck. To verify that your old application still works, pour some water onto the dry deck and check to see that it beads up. Most deck-sealer manufacturers recommend resealing annually, but if there are no immediate problems worth addressing, you can likely wait until the following spring to reseal. Check for any sharp edges, splintered wood, or rotting wood. Also look for rusting nails or any nails that are coming out or weakening their connections. And be sure to check the railings and stairs to make sure they are secure and not wobbly.

Garden

Spring is the season to prepare for new growth in your garden. Rake beds of leaves and other leftover winter debris. Use a hoe to churn and loosen the soil, and mix in compost for nutrients. If you’ll be planting new seeds, follow the instructions provided on the seed packet for the best results.

Inside the House

The Water Heater
Look around the base of your water heater for evidence of leaks. The average lifespan of a water heater is 8-12 years. If your water heater is over 5 years old, it should be checked monthly for any leakage or rusting at the bottom. If water leakage or rust is found, the water heater should be replaced. If you live in an area with particularly hard water, you may need to drain your water heater because of the sediment buildup in the tank. Recommend to do this every 6-9 months.

The Basement and Attic
Does your attic or basement smell musty? If you have an attic, check it for leaks from the roof. Inspect the underside of the roof and the insulation closely for any discoloration, deterioration or dirt stains, as the leaking water might have dried up.
Check the basement walls, floor, and trim for water stains or any signs of seepage through the foundation. There are a number of flooding causes. While you're down there, keep a close eye on your sump pump, making sure it is still in good working order, and has a battery backup in place if necessary

Spring is coming, are you ready for the thaw?

4/12/2016

 
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Prevention Tips:
  • Remove the snow from around the foundation of your home to a spot where it will drain away from your property.
  • Ensure your outside pipes are insulated and that your indoor pipes are getting sufficient access to heat to prevent freezing.
  • Know where your home’s main water shut-off valve is in the event there is a leak or a pipe bursts.
  • Extend your downspouts and make sure your eaves and window wells are clean of debris.
  • Check the grading around your home to ensure water runs away from your foundation.
  • Check your sump pump to see if it is working and consider installing a backwater valve as additional security.
  • Check your foundation for cracks and fill them with suitable material to prevent water from entering.
  • Check your basement regularly for dampness and other signs of water.
  • Check your roof to ensure that there are no missing or worn shingles.

Thank you.
Darren Gafiuk
Trinuck Properties Inc.
www.trinuckproperties.com
780-499-2739
TRUST TRINUCK

Property Drainage Tip

4/7/2016

 
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​During a heavy rainstorm (without lightning), grab an umbrella and go outside. Walk around your house and look around at the roof and property. A rainstorm is the perfect time to see how the roof, downspouts and grading are performing. Observe the drainage patterns of your property, as well as the property of your neighbor. The ground around your house should slope away from all sides. Downspouts, surface gutters and drains should be directing water away from the foundation. Most problems with moisture in basements and crawlspaces are caused by poor site drainage and improper grading around your entire house.
PLANTERS check any planting beds adjacent to the foundation. They are built in a way that traps water. The structure around the planting beds acts like a dam and traps water. Flower planters should NEVER be installed against a houses exterior wall.

​Thank you.

Darren Gafiuk
Trinuck Properties Inc.
www.trinuckproperties.com
780-499-2739
TRUST TRINUCK

Bringing clean air to life

4/4/2016

 
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​Ozone Shock Treatment: If your home is plagued by unwanted odors, such as those caused by smokers, pets and even musty mildew, let me use my Ozone treatment system to rid your house of these pervasive smells and improve its indoor air quality. Ozone is sometimes called "activated oxygen" containing three atoms of oxygen rather than the two atoms we normally breathe. Ozone is the second most powerful sterilant in the world and can be used to destroy bacteria, viruses and odors.

​Thank you.

Darren Gafiuk
Trinuck Properties Inc.
www.trinuckproperties.com
780-499-2739
TRUST TRINUCK

    Author

    Darren Gafiuk
    ​Trinuck Properties Inc.

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    Born and raised in Edmonton, Darren is a certified home inspector proudly serving Edmonton and the surrounding areas. He helps deliver peace of mind when it comes to finding out about your home true conditions.

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  • Home
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