Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Seasonal and annual maintenance can go a long way to ensure there aren’t any surprises on cold winter days as well as help to maintain the value of your home. Furnace servicing and shower grout repairs aren’t as exciting as a new quartz counters or new hardwood flooring but they will save money and time in the future. The fall is a good time to prepare your home for winter before the cold and snow comes. Here is a checklist!

• If you haven’t already, clean, repair eavestroughs and downspouts and shut off exterior faucets and store hoses
• Check for cracks in the foundation & missing roof shingles. These small problems, if left untreated, can lead to larger structural issues over time.
• Test outdoor lights
• Check your stock of salt and sand for your walkways and driveways
• Ensure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working, test and replace batteries as needed. Check expiry dates on fire extinguishers and replace as needed. See Ottawa Fire Services for guidelines and tips
• Make your home more energy efficient, check windows and doors for weatherstripping and caulking, seal furnace ducts. Install a programmable thermostat. Consider having ducts cleaned.
• Check your attic and insulation levels
• Clean dryer vents, vacuum ceiling and bathroom fans, baseboard heaters and radiators
• Service gas appliances, furnace, fireplace, etc. Change filter on furnace
• Check humidifier and HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator), that they are working well, clean filters and hoses
• Check hot water tank age and required maintenance from your rental company
• Have chimney and fireplace cleaned and checked

If you need assistance or a professional recommendation please feel free to contact us.