Why Burnaby Homes Need a Seasonal Routine
Burnaby gets most of its rain from fall through spring, and long stretches of damp, mild weather do more damage to a house than the occasional snowfall. Wood stays wet for weeks. Caulk dries out and cracks in the summer, then lets water in when the rain comes back. Doors swell and stick. Fences and deck boards rot from the ground up.
The good news is that most of this is slow and easy to catch. Use the checklist below once a season. Items marked DIY are quick checks most people can do. Items marked Book it are the ones worth adding to a handyman list.
Fall: Get Ready for the Rain (September to November)
Fall is the most important season. What you seal now decides how your house handles the next six months.
- Walk around the outside and look at caulk around windows, doors and trim. Cracked or gapped caulk lets water into the wall.DIY
- Re-caulk any joints that have cracked or pulled away.Book it
- Close each exterior door and look for daylight around the edges. Replace worn weatherstripping and door sweeps.Book it
- Clear leaves and needles from deck board gaps so water drains through.DIY
- Probe deck boards and fence posts at ground level with a screwdriver. Soft wood means rot.DIY
- Replace soft deck boards and re-secure loose railings before the wet season.Book it
- Check gates latch properly. A sagging gate gets worse when the wood swells.Book it
- Look at the caulk around tubs and showers inside, too.DIY
Winter: Watch for Moisture (December to February)
Winter is about spotting moisture problems early, while the house is closed up and the heating is on.
- Look for drafts at doors and windows on windy days. Note them for weatherstripping.DIY
- Check ceilings under bathrooms and near exterior walls for new stains.DIY
- If a door suddenly sticks, note which edge rubs. It’s usually swelling and can be planed in drier weather.DIY
- Wipe condensation from window sills so it doesn’t soak into the wood.DIY
- Keep a running list of indoor jobs: patches, sticking doors, shelves to hang. Winter is a good time to book indoor work.Book it
Spring: Repair the Damage (March to May)
Spring is when you see what the winter did, and when outdoor wood starts to dry out enough to repair.
- Walk the fence line after the last big storms. Look for leaning panels and posts that move when pushed.DIY
- Repair or replace damaged fence panels and posts.Book it
- Check deck stairs and railings for any wobble. Fix railings before the deck gets busy.Book it
- Look for new cracks in drywall, especially above doors and windows.DIY
- Patch and paint cracks once you know they’ve stopped moving.Book it
- Test doors that stuck over winter. Some stop sticking once they dry; others need adjusting.DIY
Summer: Dry-Weather Projects (June to August)
Summer is the best window for outdoor repairs and anything that needs dry wood.
- Replace deck boards and stain or seal repaired areas while the wood is dry.Book it
- Plane and seal doors that swelled over winter, now that they’re at their smallest.Book it
- Repaint exterior trim and doors where paint has peeled.Book it
- Paint indoor rooms with the windows open. Paint dries faster and the smell clears quickly.Book it
- Plan your fall list early so it’s booked before the rain returns.DIY
A Shorter Checklist for Condo Owners
In a strata building, most exterior work belongs to the strata. Your list is mostly inside your suite:
- Check caulk around the tub, shower and sink every year. Replace it when it cracks or darkens.Book it
- Look for condensation damage on window sills and the drywall below windows.DIY
- Check sliding patio door weatherstripping and rollers.Book it
- Make sure tall furniture is anchored to the wall.Book it
- Report anything on the outside of the building, like balcony membranes or exterior caulking, to your strata or property manager.DIY
DIY or Book It?
Most checks on this list take a few minutes and no tools. The repairs are different. A good rule: if it needs a ladder, a power tool, or matching an existing finish, it’s usually worth booking. If you have three or more Book it items, that’s a handyman visit.
The easiest way to use this checklist is to keep a running list on your phone or the fridge. Every time you notice something, like a door that rubs, a crack that has appeared or a fence board that moved in a storm, add it. When the list has a handful of jobs on it, send it to us and we’ll plan one visit around the whole thing, outside jobs on a dry day and inside jobs when it rains.
We don’t do electrical, gas or plumbing work. Those trades need a licensed specialist, and we’re happy to tell you when a job on your list needs one.