Homeowner's Inspection Checklist: Guide to Maintenance and Repair

by Joanie Veitch

  
Following good maintenance practices is the best way to ensure the safety and comfort of your home. Good maintenance means establishing a routine that will ensure key areas of the home are regularly checked and maintained.
 
Although it may feel like a chore at the time, it will save a lot of money and aggravation in the long run.
 
Generally speaking, home maintenance checks should be done seasonally. Every fall you need to follow a routine to ensure that your home is ready for winter. In the winter there are key areas you need to be aware of and check regularly. Spring is a time to do general repairs and get your home ready for the heat of the summer. Over the summer the warmer weather allows time to do larger projects, such as repairing the deck or re-roofing.
 
The following is an overview of what things need to be done, how often, and when the best time is to do them:
 
Year-round
Every six to eight weeks, check air vents indoors and out to ensure nothing is blocking them.
Every month, conventional filters on forced-air systems should be checked and cleaned or replaced as needed.
Every month, clean humidifier and check water levels.
Every month, check and clean rang hood filters.
Every month, test the ground fault circuit interrupter.
Every month, do a walk around of your property inside and out, checking for any safety hazards.
Every month, if you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, such as a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink or tub, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap.
Every month, check the bathtub and shower caulking and repair as needed.
Annually, check the main electrical panel for rust or water marks. Turn all breakers on and off and tighten fuses.
Annually, check the attic for any water stains on the underside of the roof sheathing. Check to make sure the insulation is not wet.
Fall
Have your furnace serviced by a qualified service technician.
Drain hot water heater and remove any sediment from the bottom of the tank.
Bleed air from hot water radiators.
Vacuum electric baseboard heaters or inside the ducts on a forced air system to remove dust.
Clean filters and the core on the heat recovery ventilator.
Check sump pump and line to ensure proper operation.
Check doors and windows for leaks and seal wherever necessary. Repair any broken or cracked panes.
Check and renew weatherstripping where necessary.
Cover the outside of air conditioning units.
Clean leaves from gutters and roof, and test downspouts to ensure proper drainage.
Check chimneys for any obstructions, such as nests.
Drain and store outdoor hoses.
Store outdoor furniture, prepare gardens and, if you live in a cold zone, protect young trees or bushes for winter.
 
Winter
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.
Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary.
Check all faucets for signs of dripping and change washers as needed. Faucets requiring frequent replacement of washers may be in need of repair.
Test plumbing shut-off valves to ensure they are working and to prevent them from seizing.
Check windows and doors for ice build up or cold air leaks. If found, make a note to repair or replace in the spring.
Check attic for frost accumulation. Check roof for ice dams or icicles.
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
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 smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and to ensure they are operational.
Clean windows, screens and hardware, and replace storm windows with screens.
Open valve to outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed.
Check foundation walls for any sign of deterioration — cracks, leaks or signs of moisture — and repair as required.
Check any retaining walls for signs of rot or infestation.
Repair and paint fences as necessary.
Ensure sump pump is operating properly.
Re-level any exterior steps or decks which moved due to frost or settling.
Check gutters 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.
 
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 the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary.
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 garage roof for wear. Lubricate garage door hardware and ensure it is operating properly.
Check and replace damaged caulking and weatherstripping around windows and doorways, including the doorway between the garage and the house.
Check exterior wood siding and trim for signs of deterioration; clean, replace or refinish as needed.
Check porches and decks for rot. Repaint or stain wood.
Check the roof, noting 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.
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.
Cut back any overhanging limbs on trees, shrubs and vines. Remove any dead limbs.

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