Home Maintenance Schedule

Home Maintenance Schedule

Regular Maintenance Is the Key
Inspecting your home on a regular basis and following good maintenance practices is the best way to protect your investment. Whether you take care of only a few tasks at a time or several all at once, it is important to get into the habit of doing them. Establishing a routine for yourself, you will find the work is much easier to accomplish and not very time consuming. A regular schedule of seasonal maintenance can put a stop to the most common — and yes - costly problems, before they occur. It's a good idea to use a camera to take pictures of anything you might want to share with an expert for advice or to monitor or remind you of a situation later down the road.

By following the information provided here, you will learn about protecting your investment and how to help keep your home a safe and healthy place to live.

If you do not feel comfortable performing some of the home maintenance tasks listed below, or have the necessary equipment, for example a ladder or rarely used expensive equipment, you may want to consider hiring a qualified person to help you.

Seasonal Home Maintenance

Most home maintenance activities are seasonal. Fall is the time to get your home ready for the coming winter, which is typically the most grueling season for your home. During winter months, it is important to follow routine maintenance procedures, by checking your home carefully for any problems arising and taking corrective action as soon as possible. Spring is the time to assess winter damage, start repairs and prepare for warmer months. Over the summer, there are a number of indoor and outdoor maintenance tasks to look after, such as repairing walkways / steps, caulking around windows, painting and checking your chimney and roof. While most maintenance is seasonal, there are some things you should do on a frequent basis year round:

Make sure air vents indoors and outside (intake, exhaust and forced air) are not blocked by snow or debris.
Check and clean range hood filters on a monthly basis.
Test the ground fault circuit interrupter(s) monthly by pushing the test button, which should then cause the reset button to pop up.
If there are young children in the house, make sure electrical outlets are equipped with safety plugs.
Regularly check the house for safety hazards such as a loose handrail, lifting or buckling carpet, etc.

Timing of the seasons varies not only from one area of the United States or Canada to another, but also from year to year in a given area. For this reason, we have not identified the months for each season. The maintenance schedule presented here is a general guide for you to follow. The actual timing is left for you to decide, and you may want to further divide the list of items for each season into months.

How To Video Clips .... Provided by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

You will need Windows Media Player to watch the following video files.

00 - Planning Your Renovation

01 - Renovating Your Windows and Doors

02 - Renovating Your Kitchen and Bathroom

03 - Renovating Your Basement

04 - Exterior Wall Finishes

05 - Roofing

06 - Hiring A Contractor

07 - Cleaning Mold

08 - Floors and Indoor Air Quality

09 - Types of Flooring

10 - Choosing Paint

11 - Home Buying Step by Step

12 - Measuring Humidity In Your Home

13 - Choosing A Dehumidifier

14 - Choosing A Bathroom Fan

15 - Home Adaption for Seniors

16 - Air Seal Your Home Against Drafts

17 - Tips for Saving Energy In Your Home

18 - Flexible Design for New Homes

19 - How to Prevent Ice Dams On Your Roof

FALL	RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE
01.	Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season.Ventilation system, such as heat recovery ventilator, filters should be checked every two months.
02.	If you have a septic tank, measure the sludge and scum to determine if the tank needs to be emptied before the spring.Tanks should be pumped out at least once every three years.
03.	Drain and store outdoor hoses. Close valve to outdoor hose connection and drain the hose bib (exterior faucet), unless your house has frost proof hose bibs.
04.	Examine the forced air furnace fan belt for wear, looseness or noise; clean fan blades of any dirt buildup (after disconnecting the electricity to the motor first).
05.	If the heat recovery ventilator has been shut off for the summer, clean the filters and the core, and pour water down the condensate drain to test it.
06.	Have furnace or heating system serviced by a qualified service company every two years for a gas furnace, and every year for an oil furnace.
07.	If there is a door between your house and the garage, check the adjustment of the self-closing device to ensure it closes the door completely.
08.	Winterize landscaping, for example, store outdoor furniture, prepare gardens and, if necessary, protect young trees or bushes for winter.
09.	Remove screens from the inside of casement windows to allow air from the heating system to keep condensation off window glass.
10.	Ensure that the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation wall, so that water does not drain into your basement.
11.	Ensure all doors to the outside shut tightly, and check other doors for ease of use. Renew door weatherstripping if required.
12.	Check sump pump and line to ensure proper operation, and to ascertain that there are no line obstructions or visible leaks.
13.	Clean leaves from eavestroughs and roofs, and test downspouts to ensure proper drainage from the roof.
14.	Have well water tested for quality. It is recommended that you test for bacteria every six months.
15.	Open furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning and clean humidifier.
16.	Remove the grilles on forced air systems and vacuum inside the ducts.
17.	Lubricate circulating pump on hot water heating system.
18.	Vacuum electric baseboard heaters to remove dust.
19.	Check chimneys for obstructions such as nests.
20.	Replace window screens with storm windows.
21.	Ensure windows and skylights close tightly.
22.	Clean portable humidifier, if one is used.
23.	Cover outside of air conditioning units.
24.	Turn ON gas furnace pilot light
25.	Bleed air from hot water radiators.

SPRING	RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE
01.	After consulting your hot water tank owner’s manual, carefully test the temperature and pressure relief valve to ensure it is not stuck. (Caution:This test may release hot water that can cause burns.)
02.	Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season.Ventilation system, for example heat recovery ventilator, filters should be checked every two months.
03.	Check eavestroughs and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your home, clear any obstructions, and ensure water flows away from your foundation.
04.	Ensure sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in. Ensure discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain away from the foundation.
05.	Clean windows, screens and hardware, and replace storm windows with screens. Check screens first and repair or replace if needed.
06.	Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair as required. Repair and paint fences as necessary.
07.	Shut down and clean furnace humidifier, and close the furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning.
08.	Have well water tested for quality. It is recommended that you test for bacteria every six months.
09.	Undertake spring landscape maintenance and, if necessary, fertilize young trees.
10.	Have fireplace or woodstove and chimney cleaned and serviced as needed.
11.	Open valve to outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed.
12.	Check air conditioning system and have serviced every two or three years.
13.	Re-level any exterior steps or decks which moved due to frost or settling.
14.	Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and replace batteries
15.	Turn OFF gas furnace and fireplace pilot lights where possible
16.	Clean or replace air conditioning filter (if applicable).
17.	Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris.
18.	Check dehumidifier and clean if necessary.

WINTER	RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE
01.	Examine attic for frost accumulation. Check roof for ice dams or icicles. If there is excessive frost or staining of the underside of the roof, or ice dams on the roof surface, consult the CMHC About Your House Factsheet Attic Venting, Attic Moisture and Ice Dams for advice.
02.	After consulting your hot water tank owner’s manual, drain off a dishpan full of water from the clean-out valve at the bottom of your hot water tank to control sediment and maintain efficiency.
03.	Monitor your home for excessive moisture levels—for example, condensation on your windows, which can cause significant damage over time and pose serious health problems—and take corrective action.
04.	Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season.Ventilation system, such as heat recovery ventilator, filters should be checked every two months
05.	Check electrical cords, plugs and outlets for all indoor and outdoor seasonal lights to ensure fire safety: if worn, or plugs or cords feel warm to the touch, replace immediately.
06.	If you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, such as a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap.
07.	Check all faucets for signs of dripping and change washers as needed. Faucets requiring frequent replacement of washers may be in need of repair.
08.	Check fire escape routes, door and window locks and hardware, and lighting around outside of house; ensure family has good security habits.
09.	Examine windows and doors for ice accumulation or cold air leaks. If found, make a note to repair or replace in the spring.
10.	Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary.
11.	Vacuum fire and smoke detectors, as dust or spider webs can prevent them from functioning.
12.	Vacuum radiator grilles on back of refrigerators and freezers, and empty and clean drip trays.
13.	Test plumbing shut-off valves to ensure they are working and to prevent them from seizing.
14.	Check gauge on all fire extinguishers; recharge or replace if necessary
15.	Clean humidifier two or three times during the winter season.
16.	Clean drains in dishwasher, sinks, bathtubs and shower stalls.
17.	Vacuum bathroom fan grille.

SUMMER	RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE
01.	Climb up on your roof, or use binoculars, to check its general condition, and note any sagging, that could indicate structural problems requiring further investigation from inside the attic. Note the condition of all shingles for possible repair or replacement, and examine all roof flashings, such as at chimney and roof joints, for any signs of cracking or leakage.
02.	Monitor basement humidity and avoid relative humidity levels above 60 per cent. Use a dehumidifier to maintain safe relative humidity. Clean or replace air conditioning filter, and wash or replace ventilation system filters if necessary.
03.	If you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, for example, a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap.
04.	Check and replace damaged caulking and weatherstripping around windows and doorways, including the doorway between the garage and the house.
05.	Check and replace damaged caulking and weatherstripping around windows and doorways, including the doorway between the garage and the house.
06.	Disconnect the duct connected to the dryer and vacuum lint from duct, the areas surrounding your clothes dryer and your dryer’s vent hood outside.
07.	Check basement pipes for condensation or dripping, and take corrective action, for example, reduce humidity and or insulate cold water pipes.
08.	Check for and seal off any holes in exterior cladding that could be an entry point for small pests, such as bats, squirrels.
09.	Sweep chimneys connected to any woodburning appliance or fireplace, and inspect them for end-of-season problems.
10.	Lubricate automatic garage door opener motor, chain, etc. and ensure that the auto-reverse mechanism is properly adjusted.
11.	Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary.
12.	Remove any plants that contact, or roots that penetrate, the siding or brick.
13.	Check the chimney cap and the caulking between the cap and the chimney.
14.	Inspect window putty on outside of glass panes and replace if needed.
15.	Lubricate garage door hardware and ensure it is operating properly.
16.	Check smooth functioning of all windows and lubricate as required.
17.	Repair any damaged steps that present a safety problem.
18.	Lubricate door hinges and tighten screws as needed.
19.	Check security of all guardrails and handrails.
20.	Repair driveway and walkways as needed.
21.	Deep clean carpets and rugs.
22.	Vacuum bathroom fan grille.

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