Springtime is here and the moment has also come for small seasonal work to be done around the house. Listen to our video while we present five things to check in order to better understand your building and plan your interventions according to its needs.

The return of good weather is often accompanied by a cloud of small seasonal work to do around the house, but too often, owners will prioritize more aesthetic work rather than those which aim to ensure the sustainability of the building and its good condition. Here are some tips on inspecting your property that will help you put your efforts in the right place.

1. Keep water away from foundation walls

First, water is the enemy of any building. For this reason, it is important to avoid any form of water accumulation near your foundation. Begin your seasonal inspection by verifying that your yard has a slope that direct the water away from the foundations. For example, the presence of puddles near buildings can be a good indication of an inadequate slope. Then check the installation of your gutter downpipes and make sure that it does not cause any accumulation near the house. If this is the case, splash pad or gutter extensions can be added to the end of the gutter descents to keep the water away from your building.

2. Avoid water infiltration through the walls

Now that we have managed the perimeter of the building, we must take care of the water which could seep behind the siding of the exterior walls and damage the structure of the walls. Regarding masonry walls, make sure that the weep holes at the bottom of the wall are not obstructed. Also, the mortar joints between the masonry elements must be in good condition and not present significant cracks. Regardless of your type of exterior siding, always take a look at the window and door frames and make sure the caulking joints at these locations are in good condition and that they adhere well to surfaces.

3. Prevent water infiltration in the roof

Winters in Quebec are particularly harsh for our roofs. Snow and ice can damage elements that play a very important role in protecting your home. To start, check that the gutters are properly aligned, securely attached to the roof overhangs. If they are clogged with debris, they must be cleaned so that they allow water to run properly in the downspout. Then do a visual inspection of the roof and watch for any cracks or heaving that would be visible.

Be careful if you use a ladder to get to the edge of the roof: take the necessary steps to be safe.

4. Safety first

Another important aspect to check is the security around your building. It is not a question of choice, but rather of civil liability that you have. To ensure the security of the premises, first verify that the electrical outlets and accessories located outside the building are properly grounded and are connected in accordance with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).

Then check whether the electrical mast is still firmly attached to the building. Make sure that the steps and railings on balconies and outside stairs are very solid and stable to prevent falls.

5. Infestations

Finally, we recommend that you complete your inspection by checking everything that could indicate the presence of vermin. During winter, little critters may have tried to use your home as a shelter. Inspect your exterior siding and spot any openings larger than a pencil eraser. This may be a clue of the presence of insects inside the cavities.

If you have any questions regarding this video or any other problem associated with your building, we invite you to contact us. At Legault-Dubois, our experts are there to help you to find the exact causes of problems you may encounter, but also to provide impartial solutions to prevent the problem from coming back and leaving you with peace of mind.