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

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.