It’s the Season for Preventative Home Maintenance
Fall is one of the most important times of the year for home maintenance and a great opportunity to prepare your property before winter snow and freezing temperatures. These seasonal care tips will help keep your property in top shape:
Outside
• Turn off all exterior water sources.
• Place a sturdy cover over your AC unit to keep rain, snow, dirt, and leaves out of its vents.
• Ensure eavestroughs and downspouts are free/clear of debris.
• Keep snow from piling up around exterior doors and windows during winter months. Use ice melt instead of salt; it’s friendlier for pets and better for gardens. Remember that you are responsible for shovelling your sidewalk.
Inside
• Turn on the central humidifier in forced air systems. Dry humidity in winter reduces comfort and soaks up moisture in your skin, hair, eyes, nose and throat, potentially leading to health problems. Humidity that is too dry can also create static electricity and cause cracking in woodwork.
• Turn on any radiant heat/electric floor heat mats.
• Check for drafty windows and doors, and replace weatherstripping if needed.
• Make sure you know where flashlights and candles are located in case of a power outage.
When Spring Returns
• Turn forced air system central humidifier off. Summer increases humidity and a home with high humidity levels can exhibit excess condensation on windows, musty odours, damp spots on walls and ceilings, and mould in bathrooms and other high-moisture areas. Mould and mildew growth in a home can create serious health concerns.
• Pass water through any unused plumbing fixtures for a few minutes, for example, basement bathrooms.
• Run 2 cups of vinegar through your washing machine and dishwasher.
• Do a visual inspection of all exterior windows and doors. Check for condensation inside thermal windows.
• Turn on exterior water.
• Check/replace all exterior light bulbs.
Want to find out more about what’s going on in Toronto? Contact me, let’s sit for a coffee and a chat.