Use this handy checklist to help you while starting the cleanup of your outdoor space.
* Inspect the exterior walls of your entire home. Look for signs of winter damage such as splitting wood, peeling paint, mold, etc.
* Got brick? It should be cleaned and checked for water damage once a year. Aside from cleaning the surface by use your hose with a spray nozzle to wash off dirt, you need to be on the lookout for mold. If there is mold, mildew, or moss, wash with a solution of 1 cup of bleach mixed with 4 L of water. Use a natural or synthetic bristle brush. Wire brushes leave traces of steel behind that will rust and discolor the bricks.
* If you use them, remove the storm windows.
* Clean the windows.
* Use screens? Make sure they are dust-free and sparkling clean before putting them up.
* Check the driveway for cracks or winter damage.
* Clean the steps and the driveway with a spray nozzle hose. If moss is visible, pour vinegar on it and scrub.
* Inspect the gutters around the house. Remove debris.
* Inspect the roof, looking for damage and missing or loose shingles. Contact a roofing professional if you need a few replacements.
* Get your deck ready for use. Clean it with oxalic acid, which will penetrate the wood and kill microorganisms. Once dry (24 hours), treat the deck with a sealant.
* If boards on your deck are splintered or worn beyond repair, replace them before you seal and stain.
* Prepare outdoor furniture for use. If you kept the furniture out during the winter months, you need to scrub the surfaces clean. If you stored your furniture, bring it outside and make sure it's clean.
* Put on those gardening gloves, it's time to weed! The first step to a beautiful, clean garden is to remove weeds. It is important to leave a few, however, as they do have a purpose; they are food for insects and create a covered landscape for little critters.
* If you haven't removed the covers you placed on your shrubs and trees, and are confident you won't have another frost, remove the covers.
* Give your garden it a filled-in appearance until it grows in. Sprinkle mulch around shrubs, trees, and flowerbeds.
Source: HGTV.ca

Posted by David Shieh- Abbotsford Real Estate Agent Landmark Realty Corp.