fbpx

Month: September 2024

The Importance of Regular Home Maintenance: A Checklist for Every Season

Posted on

Regular maintenance is necessary if you want to keep your home in the best shape possible. The effort you put into these seasonal tasks directly affects how expensive repairs will be if things go wrong, cuts down on time needed if things get out of hand, and can even help you protect your property investment better due to better durability and a prolonged lifespan.

Therefore, we have compiled a checklist covering all four seasons so you can get a good overview of some of the most important maintenance tasks to cover year-round. Most of the items on this list can be performed by yourself, or you can hire a professional handyman to relieve you of the burden and stress involved. Enjoy!

Maintenance During Spring

After the darker winter months, many of the maintenance tasks move outside to ensure that the snow and cold have not caused too much damage. Now is also when you will need to consider doing yardwork to keep the grass or weeds from growing too tall and troublesome.

  • Inspect the roof
  • Inspect the exterior siding
  • Clean the gutters
  • Service the HVAC system
  • Maintain your lawn
  • Check for pest infestations
  • Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
  • Check outdoor faucets and irrigation systems
  • Clean windows and screens
  • Check and repair outdoor lighting

Maintenance During Summer

Many of the tasks from spring still apply during the summer, such as moving your lawn or checking for pests. As Canadian families tend to spend more time outside during this time, certain tasks become more important to ensure a safe and inviting environment and keep everything in working order.

  • Inspect and clean outdoor decks and patios
  • Power wash the exterior surfaces
  • Check and repair any cracks in driveways or walkways
  • Prune the trees and shrubs
  • Clean and maintain the outdoor furniture and grill
  • Check and repair window screens
  • Test and service the air conditioning system
  • Inspect and repair the caulking around doors and windows
  • Check for leaks in hoses and sprinkler systems
  • Inspect and repair any damaged fences and gates

Maintenance During Fall

Once the days begin to grow shorter, it is time to prepare for the cold winds and increased rainfall. These tasks will help you maintain a home in good shape and protect against wind and water damage from the seasonal changes in the weather.

  • Rake the leaves and clean the gutters
  • Inspect and clean the fireplace and chimney
  • Seal any gaps and cracks around the doors and windows
  • Drain and prepare outdoor faucets and irrigation systems for winter
  • Inspect and service the heating system
  • Clean and stow away the outdoor furniture and garden tools
  • Check insulation in the attic and crawl spaces
  • Test and replace all batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
  • Check for drafts around the doors and windows
  • Inspect and repair any roof shingles and flashing with signs of damage

Maintenance During Winter

The Canadian winters can be rough, so it is important to properly prepare for the cold times ahead. As you can see, the checklist is focused on preventing cold damage, in particular, to keep your home warm and comfortable.

  • Inspect and clean your snow removal equipment
  • Check and replace worn weatherstripping around doors and windows
  • Check for ice dams on the roof
  • Insulate any pipes in unheated areas
  • Test and service the generator if you have one
  • Clean and maintain your humidifiers
  • Monitor the indoor humidity levels
  • Check for drafts around electrical outlets and switches
  • Check and replace the furnace filters
  • Inspect and clean the dryer vents

If you find that some of these tasks are becoming too much trouble to keep up with, The HandyForce employs a dedicated, experienced handymen who are always ready to step in and help out. Contact us today to learn more.

10 Easy Home Repairs You Can Do Yourself to Save Money

Posted on

Saving money on home repairs can be the difference between selling your home at a loss or a profit. And even if you plan on staying in your home for a longer period of time, having extra cash to spend on vacation or your loved ones is always great.

In this article, we will discuss some of the different ways in which you can save money while also achieving repairs and renovations in your home. We will go over each room in detail so you can easily skip to the area of your home that needs the most love and care. Enjoy!

The Kitchen

As the kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the home, it often needs small repairs or fixes. While some things are best left to professional handymen, other things can easily be fixed yourself, as long as you are willing to spend a little time and effort.

For instance, fixing a leaky faucet is not as difficult as you might think, nor is unclogging the drains or repairing a jammed garbage disposal. These issues can typically be fixed in 5 to 15 minutes, especially with the help of online learning resources such as YouTube or various blog posts.

The Bathroom

As in the kitchen, the bathroom also has plenty of small repairs you can easily do yourself. Once again, a leaky tap or dripping showerhead can be remedied with relative ease and the use of simple tools, making your bathroom inviting once more and restoring its functionality to its former glory.

You can also repair the caulking around bathtubs and sinks yourself. The caulking tends to yellow with age or lose some of its grip, meaning it can be an eyesore and, at some point, even deteriorate to the point of compromising the integrity of your bathroom fixtures.

The Living Room

Your living room might have the same level of hardware as the bathroom or kitchen, but it still sees frequent daily use and, as such, becomes the subject of wear and tear over time. Typically, you might want to repair a squeaky floorboard, which might seem like a big project but can often be done with simple tools and 30 minutes of spare time.

The living room often has quite a few connecting doors, some of which inevitably will need a door knob replaced. This is another easy fix for anyone who is not afraid to learn something new, and it can be very rewarding.

The same goes for fixing a sticking door. Nothing is more annoying than a door that has trouble closing all the way or gets stuck once closed. Luckily, you do not need to be a professional handyman to fix it yourself.

The Bedroom

While not restricted to the bedroom, cleaning the air ducts and vents can improve sleep quality and the indoor environment. This is especially important if you live in certain areas of the country and can also ensure proper heating in the colder months. Once again, this is easily done by yourself and requires no special skills or advanced technical knowledge.


The final item on our list today concerns weather-stripping doors and windows. This is another important repair to do as soon as possible, as the winter months can cool your room unnecessarily and result in higher heating bills.

That was it for this article. We hope you found some inspiration and courage to try out some repairs for yourself. If, however, you prefer spending your time on other things, we at The HandyForce would love to hear about your projects. We have dedicated and professional employees ready to help with anything from small repairs to large renovations, so contact us today and get a quote!

#5 – September 2024: Fall Preparations for Your Home.

Posted on

As the air turns crisp and the leaves start to change, it’s clear that fall is on the horizon. At The HandyForce, we want to ensure your home is prepared for the cooler weather ahead. This month, we’re focusing on essential maintenance to keep your home warm and cozy throughout the fall and into the winter months. Here are our top tips for getting your home ready:

1. Heating System Check-Up: Stay Warm and Efficient
Before the cold sets in, it’s crucial to have your heating system checked and serviced. An annual maintenance check can extend the life of your system, improve energy efficiency, and prevent costly repairs down the road.

Tip: Don’t forget to replace your furnace filters! A clean filter improves air flow and efficiency, making your home easier and cheaper to heat.

2. Insulate Windows and Doors: Seal in the Warmth
Drafty windows and doors can significantly increase your heating bills. Check for drafts by holding a lit candle near window and door frames; flickering indicates air leaks. Use weather stripping or caulk to seal gaps and keep the warm air inside.

Tip: Consider installing thermal curtains to provide an extra layer of insulation against cold window panes during the chillier months.

3. Fireplace Safety: Cozy Up with Confidence
If you have a fireplace, make sure it’s safe to use before building your first autumn fire. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional to prevent chimney fires and ensure proper ventilation.

Tip: Check that your fireplace damper is operational to keep drafts out when the fireplace is not in use and to control airflow when a fire is lit.

4. Prepare Your Plumbing: Avoid Freezing Pipes
Protect your plumbing from freezing temperatures by insulating pipes that run along exterior walls. This can prevent freezing and bursting, which are costly and inconvenient to repair.

Tip: Know how to shut off your water in case a pipe does freeze and burst, to minimize water damage.

5. Gutter Cleaning: Prevent Water Damage
Fallen leaves and debris can clog your gutters, leading to water damage as rainwater overflows. Clean your gutters and downspouts to ensure they direct water away from your foundation.

Tip: Consider installing gutter guards to minimize the amount of debris that collects in your gutters.

Preparing your home for fall doesn’t have to be daunting. The HandyForce is here to help with any maintenance, repairs, or upgrades you need. Let’s make sure your home is as ready as you are for the season ahead!

Happy Fall,

-The HandyForce Team