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.
Open furnace humidifier damper on units
with central air conditioning and clean humidifier.
Lubricate circulating pump on hot water
heating system.
Bleed air from hot water radiators.
Examine the forced air furnace fan belt for
wear, looseness or noise; clean fan blades of any dirt build-up (after
disconnecting the electricity to the motor first).
Turn ON gas furnace pilot light.
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.
Vacuum electric baseboard heaters to remove
dust.
Remove the grilles on forced air systems
and vacuum inside the ducts.
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.
Clean portable humidifier, if one is used.
Have well water tested for quality. It is
recommended that you test for bacteria every six months.
Check sump pump and line to ensure proper
operation, and to ascertain that there are no line obstructions or
visible leaks.
Replace window screens with storm windows.
Remove screens from the inside of casement
windows to allow air from the heating system to keep condensation off
window glass.
Ensure all doors to the outside shut
tightly, and check other doors for ease of use. Renew 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.
Ensure windows and skylights close tightly.
Cover outside of air conditioning units.
Ensure that the ground around your home
slopes away from the foundation wall, so that water does not drain into
your basement.
Clean leaves from eaves troughs and roofs,
and test downspouts to ensure proper drainage from the roof.
Check chimneys for obstructions such as
nests.
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.
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.
Winterize landscaping, for example, store
outdoor furniture, prepare gardens and, if necessary, protect young
trees or bushes for winter.
Winter
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.
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.
Clean humidifier two or three times during
the winter season.
Vacuum bathroom fan grille.
Vacuum fire and smoke detectors, as dust or
spider webs can prevent them from functioning.
Vacuum radiator grilles on back of
refrigerators and freezers, and empty and clean drip trays.
Check gauge on all fire extinguishers;
recharge or replace if necessary.
Check fire escape routes, door and window
locks and hardware, and lighting around outside of house; ensure family
has good security habits.
Check the basement floor drain to ensure
the trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary.
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.
Check all faucets for signs of dripping and
change washers as needed. Faucets requiring frequent replacement of
washers may be in need of repair.
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.
Clean drains in dishwasher, sinks, bathtubs
and shower stalls.
Test plumbing shut-off valves to ensure
they are working and to prevent them from seizing.
Examine windows and doors for ice
accumulation or cold air leaks. If found, make a note to repair or
replace in the spring.
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 fact sheet Attic Venting, Attic Moisture and Ice
Dams for advice.
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.
Spring
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.)
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.
Have fireplace or woodstove and chimney
cleaned and serviced as needed.
Shut down and clean furnace humidifier, and
close the furnace humidifier damper on units with central air
conditioning.
Check air conditioning system and have
serviced every two or three years.
Clean or replace air conditioning filter
(if applicable).
Check dehumidifier and clean if necessary.
Turn OFF gas furnace and fireplace pilot
lights where possible.
Have well water tested for quality. It is
recommended that you test for bacteria every six months.
Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security
alarms and replace batteries.
Clean windows, screens and hardware, and
replace storm windows with screens. Check screens first and repair or
replace if needed.
Open valve to outside hose connection after
all danger of frost has passed.
Examine the foundation walls for cracks,
leaks or signs of moisture, and repair as required. Repair and paint
fences as necessary.
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.
Re-level any exterior steps or decks which
moved due to frost or settling.
Check eaves troughs and downspouts for
loose joints and secure attachment to your home, clear any obstructions,
and ensure water flows away from your foundation.
Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of
debris.
Undertake spring landscape maintenance and,
if necessary, fertilize young trees.
Summer
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.
Check basement pipes for condensation or
dripping, and take corrective action, for example, reduce humidity and
or insulate cold water pipes.
Check the basement floor drain to ensure
the trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary.
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.
Deep clean carpets and rugs.
Vacuum bathroom fan grille.
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.
Check security of all guardrails and
handrails.
Check smooth functioning of all windows and
lubricate as required.
Inspect window putty on outside of glass
panes and replace if needed.
Lubricate door hinges and tighten screws as
needed.
Lubricate garage door hardware and ensure
it is operating properly.
Lubricate automatic garage door opener
motor, chain, etc. and ensure that the auto-reverse mechanism is
properly adjusted.
Check and replace damaged caulking and
weather-stripping around windows and doorways, including the doorway
between the garage and the house.
Inspect electrical service lines for secure
attachment where they enter your house, and make sure there is no water
leakage into the house along the electrical conduit.
Check exterior wood siding and trim for
signs of deterioration; clean, replace or refinish as needed.
Check for and seal off any holes in
exterior cladding that could be an entry point for small pests, such as
bats, squirrels.
Remove any plants that contact, or roots
that penetrate, the siding or brick.
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.
Sweep chimneys connected to any wood
burning appliance or fireplace, and inspect them for end-of-season
problems.
Check the chimney cap and the caulking
between the cap and the chimney.
Repair driveway and walkways as needed.
Repair any damaged steps that present a
safety problem.
