Home Maintenance Tips!

Hello. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Here is an informative article on summer home maintenance. Protect Your Home — and Your Investment!
Best...Dan

If you're like most Canadians, your home is probably your most important investment. A regular schedule of maintenance and repairs can help you protect that investment — and keep your family healthy and safe and sound — for years to come.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has a checklist of simple inspections and repairs that can help you put a stop to the most common and costly problems before they occur, often in as little as a few minutes a week, including:

- Check and clean your range hood filters on a monthly basis.
-Use a dehumidifier if necessary to keep the relative humidity level in your basement at or below 60 per cent.
-Check basement pipes for condensation or dripping, and take corrective action if needed.
-Refill the basement floor drain if the trap doesn't have enough water in it.
-Run water briefly in fixtures that aren't used frequently, such as the laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower.
-Deep clean carpets and rugs, and vacuum the bathroom fan grille.
-Disconnect the duct connected to your clothes dryer and vacuum lint from the duct, the areas surrounding the dryer and the vent hood outside.
-Check all windows, door hinges and garage door opener hardware for smooth operation, and lubricate as required.
-Replace damaged caulking and weatherstripping around windows and doorways, including the doorway between the garage and the house.
-Inspect electrical service lines for secure attachment where they enter the house, and make sure no water is leaking into your home along the electrical conduit.
-Check the exterior wood siding and clean, replace or refinish it as needed.
-Seal off any holes in the exterior cladding that could become entry points for pests.
-Check your roof for sagging or damaged shingles, and examine all roof flashings at chimney and roof joints for signs of cracks or leaks.
-Inspect and sweep chimneys connected to any woodburning appliance or fireplace.
-Repair the driveway and walkways if needed, and repair any damaged steps, guardrails or handrails that could pose a safety problem.

-Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation http://www.cmhc.ca/