Your house is an important investment that you want to keep in tip top shape, especially if you are planning to be there for the foreseeable future. It’s also your home, which means regular maintenance is necessary to ensure your family’s safety and ongoing enjoyment.
Fall is one of the most active seasons for home maintenance as you prepare for the upcoming winter months. CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) has compiled this general maintenance checklist to help you keep your home in top shape.
Have furnace or heating system serviced by a qualified service company and as recommended by the manufacturer.
Check chimneys for obstructions such as nests.
Remove the grilles on forced-air systems and vacuum inside the ducts.
Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season.
Check to see that bathroom exhaust fans and range hoods are operating properly.
Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms, and replace batteries.
Remove interior insect screens from windows to allow air from the heating system to keep condensation off window glass and to allow more free solar energy into your home.
Ensure windows and skylights close tightly; repair or replace weather stripping, as needed.
Ensure all doors to the outside shut tightly, and check other doors for ease of use. Replace door weather stripping if required.
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.
Cover outside of air-conditioning units and shut off power.
Clean leaves from eavestroughs and roof, and test downspouts to ensure proper drainage from the roof.
Drain and store outdoor hoses. Close interior valve to outdoor hose connection and drain the hose bib (exterior faucet), unless your house has frost-proof hose bibs.
Winterize landscaping, for example, store outdoor furniture, prepare gardens and, if necessary, protect young trees or bushes for winter.
