Blog

Inspecting your home on a regular basis and following good maintenance practices is the best way to protect your investment in your home. Establish a routine, and you will find the work is easy to accomplish and not very time consuming. Most home maintenance activities are seasonal. Fall is the time to get your home ready for the coming winter, which can be 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 problem 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. While most maintenance is seasonal, there are some things you should do on a frequent basis year round.

Monthly Maintenance

Monthly Maintenance

Make sure air vents indoors and outside are not blocked by snow or debris. Check and change range hood filters on a monthly basis. Test the ground fault circuit interrupters monthly by pushing the test button, which should cause the reset button to pop out.

Fall

Fall

Have your furnace or heating systems serviced by a qualified service company every two years for a gas furnace and every year for an oil furnace. Check and clean or replace air filters each month during the heating season. Check the sump pump and line to ensure proper...

Winter

Winter

Check and clean or replace furnace air filters, each month, during the heating season. After consulting your hot water system owner’s manual, turn the electric off to the water heater and drain water tank. This will help control settlement and maintain efficiency....

Spring

Spring

Have fire place/wood stove chimney cleaned and serviced as needed. Check air conditioning system and have it serviced every two or three years. Clean or replace air conditioning filter, if applicable. Check the humidifier and clean it, if necessary. Check smoke...

Summer

Summer

Monitor basement humidity and use a dehumidifier to maintain a safe, relative humidity. Check basement pipes for condensation or dripping and take corrective action. For example reduce humidity and/or insulate cold water pipes. Deep clean your carpets and rugs. Vacuum...