Embrace longer days with routine seasonal maintenance to your building’s exteriors
After a long, cold Canadian winter, there’s no better feeling than the warmth of the sun on your face – which means it’s time to clean the grit from your windows, get the debris off your skylight to let those rays shine in so your building is ready for spring.
When you take the time to tackle spring cleaning around your building’s exteriors early in the season, not only do you free yourself up to enjoy the benefits of the extra vitamin D – you could be catching damage that happened over the winter, before April showers make them worse.
Here are a few items you should pay careful attention to while getting your building ready for spring.
Triage winter damage
Before jumping headfirst into your outdoor spring cleaning, take the time to inspect the property for damages to prioritize tasks. You could even hire a professional to do a thorough inspection – they recommend having this done at least once every three years.
One way to help yourself is by maintaining a list of what needs to be checked and completed in both fall and spring. This will inform your planning, allow you to track wear, tear and age, keep tabs on ongoing issues, and replace elements as needed.
There are a few exterior trouble spots that should be reviewed annually, if not twice a year. These include building foundations, shingles, downspouts and soffits – areas that are most prone to blockages, faults and fallibilities.
Squeegee windows and skylights
Moving along your inspection, make sure to pay special attention to anywhere moisture and mould can accumulate, seep in, and potentially cause structural damage. Power wash any mildew buildup, or scour by hand with material-appropriate tools and cleaning solutions.
Give windows and skylights a thorough cleansing by washing and squeegeeing the glass to eliminate accumulated dirt and streaks. Don’t forget to scrub the frames!
Windows and skylights made in Canada are typically tough enough to withstand our seasonal shifts, but extreme weather and aging can still lead to breakdown over time. Once they are clean, look for signs of disrepair like excess condensation, cracks in the glass or the glazing, and broken seals or fractures in the framing. Review them from inside as well, testing any moving components to make sure they are functioning as intended.
Pay attention to any sounds coming from the panes. If you hear any wind whistling as you work or find that outdoor ambient noises are louder than usual, this could indicate a gap, often discovered between the top of the curb and the underside of the unit.
Again, don’t be afraid to turn to the experts, especially when it comes to climbing on your rooftop – you can always call a pro and have them look over your skylight to ensure it is in working order.
Soak in the sun
The maintenance required to get your building ready for spring is inescapable, but the earlier you identify any problem areas, the sooner you can tend to and move on from them – at least until your next seasonal inspection.
The ritual of clearing your space after winter isn’t just good for your property – it’s good for your wellbeing, too.
After making way for more natural light to enter your space, you can enjoy its mood boosting, focus sharpening, and sleep cycle improving benefits.
Just don’t forget the SPF!
