APRIL 2023 | HOME MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST
Hello (almost) Spring! As we move into the warmer months ahead, we suggest you take initiative and tackle these to-do list items recommended by our friends at Alberta New Home Warranty! There are many important homeowner duties to fulfill between our intense Winter and Spring seasons!
Adjust Your Humidity!
Change humidity level on humidifier to around 40 per cent when warmer weather arrives. Each home is different, adjust accordingly! Read our humidity blog for more!
Check Eavestroughs & Downspouts
The volume of rain an eavestrough can handle is altered when the eavestrough is clogged with obstructions such as leaves or surface particles from asphalt shingles. Dented or bent downspouts will also slow the flow of water. Remove debris from your eavestroughs each spring, so water can move efficiently from the roof and away from your home’s foundation.
Inspect Basement for Water Issues
Moving surface water away from your foundation is the best way to protect your home from water penetration. Make sure you are prepared to manage water if it does enter the basement. Check your sump pit and pump in the spring and fall to ensure the pump is operational, the power cord is in good shape, the pipes are connected, and the pump turns on when the float is lifted. As a homeowner, you are responsible to make sure systems put in place by your builder are maintained and working as intended to prevent unnecessary water damage to your property.
Inspect Roof Shingles
Following harsh weather and wind, homeowners are encouraged to check for loose, broken, or missing shingles. Builders are not responsible for repairing storm-related damage. A damaged roof should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent leakage into the interior of your home.
Check for Soil Settlement at Foundation
Standing water near a home’s foundation can find its way into the basement. For this reason, it’s critical to drain pools of water as soon as possible. Homeowners are responsible to maintain drainage systems/strategies that move water away from their homes and away from neighbours’ properties. This can be accomplished by filling areas that have settled. A lot is graded for drainage during normal rainfall, but heavy or prolonged rain may result in standing water. Areas excavated during construction (e.g. utility trenches or basement areas) are more susceptible because they often settle over time, forming areas where water can collect and cause leakage problems. To fill these settled areas (also called depressions), remove the topsoil and fill the depression with compacted clay—not topsoil. Topsoil absorbs water like a sponge and the water will simply drain through it and collect again when it reaches the clay layer located just below the topsoil.
Inspect Driveways & Walkways for Cracking
Seasonal temperatures and varying precipitation may cause cracking in your sidewalks and driveway. Frost penetration can also cause heaving or settlement and change the direction of surface drainage. Sometimes, damaged areas return to their original position in warm weather. In most cases, these issues are beyond the control of the builder. Seal your concrete annually to increase its longevity.
Clean Filters on Central Ventilation Systems (HRVs)
A Heat Recovery Ventilation system, or HRV, is one of the best ways to remove excess indoor humidity in your home while also improving your air quality. A simple way to keep HRV running smoothly and efficiently is by regularly cleaning the filters.
Clean Intake Vent Screens
With a forced-air heating system (furnace with ducting), fresh air is brought into the home from an intake vent located near the ground at one side of the home. Ensure this vent is clear from debris.
Check & Test CO Detector Batteries
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas. You can’t see, taste, or smell it. CO is a common by-product of the burning of natural gas, gasoline, and solid fuels (wood, pellets, etc.). Fireplaces that are properly installed, maintained, and operated will produce little CO. However, if anything disrupts the venting process (such as a bird’s nest in a chimney) or restricts the oxygen to a gas burner, CO production can quickly rise. Make sure you read the owner’s manual for your CO detector, so you know what level of CO your model is capable of sensing. You should also know what your CO detector alarm sounds like.
Check & Test Smoke Detector Batteries
Test your smoke detectors monthly by pressing the ‘test’ button. An American study found that when a home smoke detector fails, it tends to fail totally as opposed to a creeping failure (e.g. loss of sensitivity over time). Regular testing will find a faulty detector quickly and ensure your family is protected.
Clean Range Hood Filters
Kitchen range hoods are an important part of your home’s ventilation system. They remove odours and improve indoor air quality. Cooking also generates significant airborne moisture which can cause window condensation and mould. A range hood helps draw this moisture out of the home. Filters in the throat of the hood must be kept clean to keep your fan running efficiently and quietly. Some range hood fans are interconnected with the operation of the furnace fan. To ensure this feature continues to work, you must keep the sensor located in the throat of the hood clean. Maintenance or replacement of filters should be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Most kitchen exhaust fans have sealed bearings and do not require lubrication.
