Home Maintenance Tips
This maintenance section has been written to provide you, the homeowner, with more information so you can better understand the various systems and components that will require upkeep inside and outside the home.
When regular maintenance is performed, it can reduce the risks of surprise, high cost repairs which usually occur at the most inconvenient moment possible. Performing regular maintenance can save you time, money and headaches in the long run.
View our complete maintenance section by clicking the link below.
Home Maintenance Tips
Preparing for the Winter Season
The fall has arrived and it’s time to think about winterizing your home for winter. The fall season is when our temperatures begin to dip and we usually begin to see heavy rains and even snow at times. As temperatures drop, you must prepare your home to sustain itself through the harsh winters we have.
To prepare you for winter we have put together the following ten tips:
1. Furnace Maintenance
- You may want to think about contacting a certified professional to clean your ducts and inspect the furnace.
- It’s always good to have enough furnace filters to replace them monthly.
- If you do not have a programmable thermostat, switching to one will save you money.
- If your home is still using a Hydronic system (hot-water radiator), you should bleed the system by opening the valves at the radiator until water seeps out.
- All flammable materials should be removed from the furnace area.
2. Fireplace Inspection
- Inspect the chimney cap on the roof to make sure the screen is intact and not covered with dead leaves.
- When was the last time you had your chimney cleaned? If your chimney has not been cleaned to remove the soot and creosote you should hire a company that specializes in fireplace and chimney cleaning.
- Store your dry wood in a dry place away from the outside walls.
- Check the fireplace damper to assure that it opens and closes properly.
- Assuring that the mortar between the bricks on your fireplace is not cracked or degrading will prevent smoke from seeping through.
3. Doors, Windows and Exterior Inspection
- Inspect exteriors for gaps and cracks around windows and door frames.
- Inspect the seals around pipes entering the home.
- New weather-stripping around doors will do a better job than the old weather stripping, at preventing the cold from entering your home.
- Cracked windows should be replaced.
- Basement windows should be covered with plastic shields.
- Even in older homes, a plastic shield on any window will reduce the heating bills.
- Cleaning around the foundation will prevent water build up when the spring arrives.
- Inspect and seal foundation cracks, if any are found.
4. Clean up Gutters & Downspouts and Inspect the Roof
- In Canada when where the temperatures fall in the minus degrees, extra insulation in the attic will prevent warm air from escaping into the roof which results in ice dams.
- To ensure water cannot enter the home through the roof inspect all flashing and shingles.
- To prevent ice build up clean all gutters and downspouts of debris.
- If your gutters don’t have any leaf guards, you should consider installing them.
5. Winterizing and De-Winterizing Equipment
- Drain the gas tank from your lawnmower.
- Get your snow blower ready by changing the oil and spark plug. If equipped with one, replace the oil and gas filters.
- Wash down and store gardening equipment.
- Inspect shovels and have a few bags of ice-melt and sand on hand.
6. Inspect the Foundation
- Remove any leaves or debris.
- Close any openings to prevent any little creature that tries to gain access from under the home.
- If the foundation has any cracks you should seal them. Mice need a hole the size of a dime to get in, and we all know how much space water needs to make its way inside the home.
- Openings to the crawlspace should be sealed.
7. Inspect, Replace or Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- As required by law we all know that we need to have a smoke detector installed on every level of the home, and check the batteries at least every year.
- You should have a carbon monoxide detector in the area where your water heater and furnace is located.
- Periodically testing all detectors is always a good practice that may just save a life one day.
- Send in your fire extinguisher for inspection at least once a year. To get more info about the life span of a fire extinguisher, contact fire and safety near you.
8. Prevent Components from Freezing
- You should always have a clear path the main water shut off in case of an emergency.
- Garden hoses should have the water supply to the garden hose shut off from inside the home; the tap should be drained of all water and left open.
- Insulating plumbing pipes will not only prevent any chance of freezing but it will also prevent condensation.
- Air conditioning water supply should be off and the system should be winterized.
- While on vacation, the heating system should remain on and set to a minimum of 13 degrees Celsius.
9. Prepare Landscaping & Outdoor Surfaces
- Heavy and wet snow can break some branches and that can cause serious damage to a roof or electrical wires. Trim those that are near the home and can cause damage. You can always ask a gardener for an expert opinion.
- Potted plants should be indoors or moved to a sheltered area.
- Sealing your driveway, patio and or your wood deck is always a good practice.
10. Have a First Aid and an Emergency Kit in the Home
- Have at hand, indoor candles and matches or lighters for use during a power shortage.
- All emergency phone numbers should be near your home phone and programmed in your cell phone.
- To protect your valuable electronics you should use a battery back-up system.
- A portable generator can be purchased at any hardware store to provide electrical power during a power outage.
- In the winter you should always have extra bottled water and non-perishable food supplies stored away.
- An evacuation plan in case of an emergency might sound stupid but it’s not. There are a few different situations such as a fire or a deep freeze where having a plan in place can save lives.
Calibre Inspections Services Inc.
60 Elinor Avenue, Toronto, ON M1R 3H4
Tel: 416.701-0333 Fax: 416.352.1305 Toll: 877.701.0444
Email: info@calibreinspectionservices.com
Website: www.calibreinspectionservices.com
