A Homeowner’s Guide to Home Maintenance
Wednesday, May 5th, 2021
I am sure, if you would be given an option, most of us would choose a weekend in a park or on a couch with a nice book, not on a ladder pulling leaves out of a gutter. But when your home is your biggest investment, maintaining your house is a must. Home maintenance can feel like a boring chore, especially for a new homeowner who has never seen a boiler or a furnace up close, not to mention draining it / or replacing a filter. But it doesn’t have to feel daunting or overwhelming. A secret to a well-kept and properly maintained house is to operate it with the season! Follow a seasonal home maintenance schedule, and keep up with the small things, and your house will be always in great shape!
Monthly
Choose one day each month for these revolving items which can easily be performed in a morning or afternoon.
- Replace the furnace filter (if you don’t have central air conditioning, then you only need to do this during months of operation).
- Clean your kitchen range hood filter.
- Test your smoke and CO (carbon monoxide) detectors.
- Clean your shower heads and faucet aerators.
- Inspect and clear out all sink and tub drains.
Semi-annually
These tasks should be performed twice each year, once when preparing for winter and again each spring.
- Replace smoke and CO detector batteries.
- Check your attic for evidence of water incursion, rodents and confirm your insulation is in good shape.
- Inspect your windows and doors (ensure frames, sweeps, stripping and caulking are in good shape).
- Test your hot water tank’s pressure relief valve.
- Inspect your eaves roughing, gutters, and flashing.
- Clean your baseboard heater grills (turn off any breakers beforehand and be sure the grills are dry before re-engaging them)
- Vacuum your air return ducts
- Pull out appliances like your fridge and stove to vacuum and dust behind
Annually
Annual maintenance and inspections usually happen in the spring or fall with a few exceptions that are not season-specific.
Spring:
- Inspect and pressure wash your home’s exterior.
Pro tip: Keep an eye on the caulking used to seal your siding. - Inspect your roof, eaves, and flashing each spring.
Pro tip: If there’s any sign of curling, cracking or disintegration, we recommend calling a roofing inspector immediately. - Inspect and clean your AC.
Pro tip: You only need to use a garden hose to clear dirt and debris from the unit. Remember to disconnect the power first! - Check your deck or porch, and wood fence for damage or rot and replace boards as needed.
- Pressure wash your deck and fence. Watch your pressure settings though so you don’t accidentally gouge your wood!
- Inspect your asphalt driveway. If you see the color and definition of individual pebbles, then you know it’s time to reseal.
- Have your carpets professionally cleaned. You can also rent a carpet cleaning machine.
- Have your chimney and fireplace/wood stove inspected and cleaned.
- Check for mould: Inspect your home’s interior, especially places you don’t see often, and check for musty or dank odours.
Pro tip: If you discover mould, do not stop until it’s safely cleaned and the source identified and corrected—this may require a mould remediation expert. - Inspect horizontal runs from your gutters.
Pro tip: Ensure water is being directed away from the house so it does not collect and soak into the foundation. - Inspect your foundation for cracks and moisture.
Fall:
- Test your home’s thermostat.
- Inspect and clean out your eavestroughs and gutters.
- Check your septic system (if you have a septic tank, it’s important to have a professional inspect it annually).
- Drain and shut off exterior faucets.
Any time of year:
- Inspect your plumbing for leaks or sweating.
- Review your electrical system. Whether you live in an older home, or a new build, identifying potential problems early can save a lot of stress down the road.
- Call an HVAC professional to service your furnace each year.
- Inspect your flooring for wear and tear.
- Check your toilets-if they start to rock, prevent damaging leaks by replacing the flange.
- Check for wiggly door handles and squeaky hinges
Preparing for the long-term
You know that rainy day you’re always told to save for? Putting money aside for any eventual repairs is a smart way to avoid unnecessary shocks down the road. With modern building materials and warranties, it may be decades before repairs are needed, but it’s best to be ready.
Five years:
- Have your ducts cleaned
- Replace carpet in high traffic areas. A long-term, economical solution is to install laminate flooring, which can last upwards of 15 years with little maintenance.
- Paint your home’s interior.
- Replace the gaskets and washers in your faucets to prevent leaks.
Ten years:
- Re-paint your home’s exterior. Depending on the type of paint and materials used for your siding, you should budget to repaint every 10 years.
- Refinish your hardwood floors. This may need to be done sooner—or later—depending on how highly trafficked your floors are.
15 years:
- Be prepared to replace all or part of your roof, depending on the materials used and any warranties applied.
- Laminate flooring may need to be replaced.
- Siding may need to be replaced on your home’s exterior.
25 years:
- CSA approved windows reach the end of their lifetime at 25 years, and will likely need to be replaced.
It’s never too soon to start your own household maintenance schedule, and to start saving for those larger eventualities down the road. The savings to your pocket book as well the peace of mind that comes with preparedness will go a long way to ensure long-term enjoyment and comfort in your home.
Ready to start your dream home search? Or need a plan to sell?
Galina Mironova
780.504.4470 | galina@soldlocal.ca
