Here's a full transcript of the episode.
Rob: Today, we're focused on spring cleaning at the cabin. Greg, not everybody has a cabin. I've got a house about the size of a cottage though, so this might work for me.
Greg: That'll work. Any of these tips are great for your home, but as well for those who are fortunate enough to have a cabin. Just a great time of the year to go through and just a shortlist to do here for opening up your cabin.
First and foremost, you should inspect your deck boards. Make sure that there's no splinters because everybody's going across it on bare feet. And also if you're planning to reseal your wood, make sure you do replace the splintered board first. You know, you should clean your deck or patio because you know what it's like when you're mixing, eating, drinking, and cooking. It's just constant exposure to the elements and you've got a recipe for mold, moss, mildewed, and dirt build-up. What I use for our cabin is, I actually use Scott's Plus OxiClean Outdoor Cleaner. It's biodegradable and phosphate-free. So, it's not gonna harm any of your floor around the cottage.
Also, clean your outdoor furniture. You know, nobody wants to sit on a filthy, moldy outdoor furniture. Just give them a good wash with an environmentally safe cleaner, as I just mentioned. Clean your cottage exteriors. This is a great time to, you know, take the cobwebs off, bird droppings, remove built-up dirt and stains from mildew or mold. And I typically use r/pressure washer and that's what I would recommend as well, but be careful so you don't take off the paint on it. And make sure you get to run from the top to the bottom. Make sure your rough, you know, what you've cleaned doesn't reach and soil areas you've already cleaned.
Clean your cottage windows. I know, I see people out there with a blue bottle and as well with tons and tons of paper towels. Just get a sponge and some dishwashing detergent, water, and I actually put a little bit of ammonia in mine, and just use a sponge and clean it off and then use a squeegee. It just makes it that much easier dust doesn't accumulate on it. And then after you're done with it, finally, I usually use microfiber cloth when you're finished.
Inspect your gutters as always. Remove any debris that has gone and built up over the winter and make sure that your downspouts aren't clogged as well and that they're away from the cottage. As well, inspect your roof. It's always a great idea if you can get up there and actually take a look to make sure that there's no damage on your shingles and look for damage flashings and also asphalt greens in the gutter and other sides of any sort of warping or rotting. As well, clear all your fallen branches around because, you know, snow throughout the winter does take a heavy toll on trees. But, you know, the good thing is that you'll have a lot of firewood for your first batch or when you're doing that as well. And again, if you have any shrubs or trees covered, as long as we don't think it's gonna freeze anymore, take those off and unwrap them around, you know, any of those smaller shrubs and plants.
And lastly, clean up in and around your fire pit and/or your barbecue. You know, scoop out and dispose of any excess ash, cleaning your barbecue with a hose and some soapy water and elbow grease. And, as well, check the hose for cracks and any vegetation that's around your barbecue or around your fire pit. Make sure you clean that up because that's a huge fire hazard.
Now, when you get this one, what I recommend is grab your first drink, fire up your barbecue and enjoy your outdoor space because you've earned it.
Rob: There you go. We should also mention, if you do have mouse droppings wear a mask, that hantavirus can kill you.
Greg: That's correct, Rob. For sure, do that and it makes common sense. Just put that on so...because it is dangerous stuff.
Rob: Very dangerous. These tips are available online.
Greg: That's correct. heritage.insurance.ca. or come on down the corner of Fairford and First Northwest and talk to any of our fine people down here.
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