Prep Your Home for Winter
Pic by Matthieu Joanno
Now that we’re into the winter months in Oakville and Burlington, it’s important to inspect your beautiful home to help prevent the most common – and also costly – problems from occurring. We’ve made a helpful checklist, available for download, to help guide you in keeping your home a safe and healthy place to live this winter and year-round.
Regularly 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 a few tasks at a time or several all at once, it’s important to get into the habit of completing these checks annually leading up to each season.
Of course, if you don’t feel comfortable performing some of the home maintenance tasks listed below, or you don’t have the equipment on hand to properly complete each section, you may want to call in a professional handy person.
Winter Checklist
HOT WATER TANK: 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.
HEATING AND VENTILATION: Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season. Ventilation systems, such as heat recovery ventilator filters, should be checked every two months.
HUMIDIFIER: Clean your humidifier two or three times during the winter season.
BATHROOM FANS: Vacuum bathroom fan grills to ensure proper ventilation.
SMOKE DETECTORS: Vacuum fire and smoke detectors, as dust or spiderwebs can prevent them from functioning.
FRIDGE AND FREEZERS: Vacuum radiator grills on the back of refrigerators and freezers, and empty and clean drip trays.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: Check gauges on all fire extinguishers, and recharge or replace as necessary.
LOCKS: Check fire escape routes, door and window locks and hardware, and lighting around the home’s exterior. Ensure your family has good security habits.
BASEMENT FLOOR DRAINS: Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary.
WINDOWS AND DOORS: Condensation on your windows can cause significant damage over time and pose serious health problems. This requires corrective action. Examine windows and doors for ice accumulation or cold air leaks. If found, make a note for repair or replacement in the spring.
FAUCETS: Check all faucets for signs of dripping and change washers as needed. Faucets requiring frequent replacement of washers may be in need of repair or replacement.
PLUMBING FIXTURES: If you have a plumbing fixture that’s not used frequently, such as a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, briefly run some water to keep water in the trap.
DRAINS: Clean drains in the dishwasher, sinks, bathtubs and shower stalls.
SHUT-OFF VALVES: Test plumbing shut-off valves to ensure they’re working and to prevent them from seizing.
ROOF AND ATTIC: Check attic for frost accumulation. Check roof for ice dams or icicles. If there’s excessive frost or staining of the underside of the roof, or ice dams on the roof surface, be sure to have an expert look into the issue.
OUTDOOR ELECTRICAL: Check electrical cords, plugs and outlets for all indoor and outdoor seasonal lights to ensure fire safety. If showing signs of wear, or if plugs/cords feel warm, replace immediately.
Original content from:
https://abuyerschoice.com/this-winter-maintenance-checklist-will-keep-your-home-in-good-order/
For more information on the Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga Real Estate market, a no-obligation, free home evaluation or assistance in buying or selling your home, please contact:
Lynne Sampson Blott
call: 416-540-7307 | e-mail: lynne@lynneblott.com | visit: theblotts.ca | text: 416-540-7307
