Spring Home Maintenance Checklist for Edmonton Homes After Winter

Edmonton winters are hard on a house. Once the snow melts, a quick walk around your home can catch small problems before they turn into expensive ones. Here’s a checklist to work through each spring.

What should I check outside my house in spring?

Eavestroughs and downspouts. Clear out leaves and debris, check that sections haven’t pulled away from the house, and make sure downspouts carry water well away from your foundation. Overflowing eavestroughs during spring melt are a common cause of wet basements.

Grading. The ground around your house should slope away from the foundation. Settled soil next to the walls can send meltwater straight toward your basement. Fill low spots with soil so water drains away.

Roof. From the ground, or with binoculars, look for missing, curled or damaged shingles and anything that looks out of place around vents and chimneys. Heavy snow and ice dams can cause damage you won’t notice until it leaks. Leave climbing onto the roof to a professional.

Foundation. Look for new cracks, and for gaps where the soil has pulled away from the walls.

Decks and fences. Check for loose boards, wobbly railings and posts that have heaved with the frost.

Outdoor taps. Turn them back on and check for leaks inside the wall. A pipe that froze over winter may only show a leak once water is running.

What should I check inside my house after winter?

Sump pump. Test it before the melt peaks by pouring water into the pit and making sure it switches on and pumps out.

Basement. Look for damp spots, water stains or musty smells, especially after a fast thaw or heavy rain.

Air conditioning. If you have central air, book a tune-up before the first hot week, and replace the furnace filter, since the same filter serves both.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Test them, and change batteries if needed.

How do I get my yard ready in spring?

• Rake up dead grass and debris once the lawn has dried out
• Wait until the ground has firmed up before heavy lawn work
• Check trees for branches damaged by snow and ice. Large or high branches, or anything near power lines, are a job for a certified arborist

Who can help with spring home maintenance in Edmonton?

Browse our directory for roofers, landscaping and lawn care, tree services and more, all reviewed by our team before they’re listed.

For the rest of the list, find painters for exterior touch-ups, handyman services for odd jobs, house cleaning for a spring deep clean, and plumbers if an outdoor tap leaks after the thaw.