What Should Be On Your Spring Home Inspection List?

After the snow and ice start to thaw and the weather gets warmer, it's time to inspect your home for damage. The spring brings a home inspection for most Calgary residents every single year. However, if you're new, you may not know what to include on the inspection list.

Certain areas outside and inside the home must be checked for damage. If you do find any damage, it will be important to get it fixed as soon as possible. Here are a few things to ensure you put on your inspection list.

Inspecting Your Roof

Inspecting your roof should be done every spring. You should be looking for any areas with missing shingles, damage, any sagging and anything else that doesn't look right on your roof. This is important because damage to your roof could cause leaks.

Inspecting Your Property for Pests

The cold season has the habit of luring all kinds of pests indoors looking for food and a warm place to nest. This is why it’s recommended to inspect the property for unwanted tenants during spring. While you inspect the outdoors, pay extra attention to shrubs and tree branches touching the building, tall lawn grass, lawn debris, leaf and wood piles, blocked gutters and moist areas close to the house – they are all preferred hiding spots for pests and need to be cleared out. And for the indoor area, you need to make sure all the possible entry points are covered. Such points are torn or missing window screens, large cracks around the door and window frames, gaps around cables and pipes, missing vent covers and any small cracks and holes in the walls. Also, don’t forget to inspect spaces like the garage or any tool sheds – rodents and possums love to hide there.

Inspecting Your Air Ducts

You may not need to inspect your air ducts as thoroughly as the rood, but you should at least have your air ducts cleaned. This will ensure you experience the best air quality during the summer season.

Inspecting Your Windows

Your windows seal in the heat and the cool air. Without a good seal, you will pay more on your power bill. Make sure the stripping is in good condition before the rain comes.

Inspecting Your Basement

Your basement should be inspected for cracks, damage and leaks. This goes along with inspecting your foundation. Any small cracks can be dealt with now as a preventative before it becomes an issue.

Inspecting Your Insulation

Make sure your insulation is in good shape or you could be spending more on your energy bill than you should.

Inspecting Your HVAC System

The mild spring season gives you a chance to service your home's HVAC system before it is needed once again. You can have your heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems inspected by an experienced professional to determine the maintenance and repairs needed at that time. Your HVAC inspection expert will visually check the blower and other important components before running the system to verify its efficient operation.

The inspection can reveal worn or damaged parts that could inhibit the system's proper operation when you need it most. Completing the service ahead of time can also help protect adjacent components from damage that can occur as parts fail. With this approach, you can minimize your HVAC repair costs and keep your system running well through every season.

These are just a few of the main areas you should inspect in the spring. It's a good idea to inspect your entire house for damage and deal with it sooner, rather than later.