Prepare for Spring - Over Looked Tasks

There are several things you need to do when preparing for spring that few people think of. If you live in an older home, now is the time to book your chimney sweep. We didn't book ours until August - and they still haven't arrived.

Buy Fuel

If you are using a natural grain or pellet stove, now is the time to purchase next year's fuel. It will need to dry out over the summer. Also, if you are using wood pellets, buy now. The pellet manufacturers have a bad habit of using green wood when they run out in February and March. This means creosote dripping down your pipes and filling the stove. It also means a bucket or two of unburned pellets in the stove - and needing to use at least 1 bag more every day to stay warm. It is just best to stock up in the spring after the pellet manufacturers catch up on their stock.

Pure Water

Test your water. We take our water to be tested every spring. Run off from the local farms can get deep. The ground is saturated, reducing its ability to filter water, and increasing the bacteria count in your water. This could be why you are suffering from the flu.

Many people don't drink their water, but the small amounts of bacteria on your hands and body when washing can be enough to cause flu like symptoms and stomach upsets. You may need to put some bleach in the bath tub in the spring - or think about buying a water purifier.

Buy a Furnace

This is the time to think about upgrading your furnace. End of season sales, and last year's models are a good price now. Many of today's 50 000 BTU furnaces are hot enough to raise a house's temperature 20degrees. This is more than enough for most zones. It will still leave people in mid-upper Canada cold in January.

However, today's 50k BTU furnaces are more energy efficient than they were 10 years ago. Think about upgrading, especially if you spend more than $500 a month heating your home from December to March.

Spring Clean

You've done a lot of projects over the winter. Wall papered, painted, etc. Get rid of those harsh solvents and cleaners. They leach into the air increasing the pollution level. If you've been suffering from headaches or unexplained illness, then take a look at your garage and under the kitchen sink. It is amazing how much 'pollutant' is vacuumed under the door to the garage, or seeps up from the basement.

Never keep these types of products for future use. They break down, releasing pollutants into the air.

Open Doors

This is something I learned from my great grandfather. If the house is hard to heat, especially in the damp months, then open the doors in the morning and change the air. Fresh air heats faster, and stays hotter, longer than 'dank' air. Something the R2000 builders seem to have forgotten about.

The natural furnaces burn better with fresh air. That is why all the new stove pipes draw air in as well as take it out. As fuel burns it uses up the combustible elements in the air, leaving it stale. The spring air is damp, making it harder to burn. Opening the doors for 10 minutes a day can keep your home warmer, and increase your fuel efficiency, without turning up the thermostat.

Pest Control

Now is the time to prevent mammals from taking residence in your garage and attic, including bats. Even though all the hype is centered around bats, any animal feces can cause health problems.

There are animal repellents on the market that can help people with older homes keep bats and squirrels out of their homes. These products may not work with birds. I will be writing more on the dangers of bats within the next few days. Just remember that insecticide will not work, and you don't want bats or squirrels dying inside the walls or attic - you want to drive them out.