Spring home maintenance checklist for Toronto homes.

Why spring matters

Snow and ice hide damage all winter. When the thaw comes, freeze-thaw cycles have lifted shingles, opened mortar joints and cracked walkways, and the first heavy April rains test every roof, eavestrough and drain at once. Older Toronto homes, with slate roofs, original brick and cast-iron drains, show winter's wear first. Spring is when you find it, while it's still a small job.

Your spring checklist

• Roof inspection after the thaw. Ice and freeze-thaw cycles lift shingles, crack slate and loosen flashing. A slipped slate found in April is a far smaller job than a ceiling stain in June. Roof repair
• Eavestroughs and downspouts. Clear winter debris and make sure every downspout carries water well away from the foundation.
• Basement and foundation walk-through. After the first heavy rains, look for new cracks, white mineral staining or damp patches on foundation walls.
• Sump pump and backwater valve. Test both before the spring storms. A backwater valve is what keeps a city sewer backup out of a finished basement. Water damage and flooding
• Air conditioning start-up. Service cooling before the first heat wave, when every HVAC company in the city is booked solid. Heating and cooling
• Masonry, stucco and exterior trim. Winter opens mortar joints and lifts paint. Older brick needs a soft lime mortar, not modern cement, or the brick itself starts to crack.
• Windows, doors and screens. Check seals and caulking, and put screens back on.
• Irrigation start-up. Turn the system back on, pressure test it and check every zone and head before the lawn needs it. Seasonal landscaping
• Trees and gardens. Spring clean-up, and an arborist's look at storm-damaged limbs before the canopy fills in and hides them.
• Pool and hot tub opening. Open, balance and check pumps, heaters and covers.
• Walkways, patios and steps. Frost heave lifts interlock and stone and creates trip hazards.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Test every alarm and change batteries when the clocks change.

When to book spring work

Roofers, masons and landscapers fill their spring calendars by March. Book inspections as soon as the snow is off the roof, and line up AC service in April rather than waiting for the first hot day. Anything the inspections turn up can then be fixed before summer, when exterior trades are busiest.

Other seasonal checklists

See all four seasons, or jump to the next one.

A checklist tells you what. We handle the rest.

Every item above sounds simple. The real work is knowing which trade to call, getting them there at the right time, checking the job and keeping a record of it for next season. For Zebrano members, a dedicated Home Manager runs this list for you, with licensed and insured trades we've worked with for up to 20 years, and one invoice. No apps, real people on-site looking after your home.

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