Using a home maintenance checklist

Your house is more than just an investment: it’s your home. So naturally, you’ll want to take good care of it.

To add value and years of enjoyment to your home, make regular maintenance checks a part of your routine. This may include having a professional home inspector or building contractor visit your home. Below is a list of some items that you and/or a qualified professional should inspect.

Roof, attic and gutters

• Check your roof for loose, missing, worn or damaged shingles. Make sure flashing is secure around vents and chimneys.
• Gutters should be clean, properly aligned and securely attached. Downspouts should direct water away from the house.

Outside walls and framing

• Check soffits, siding, brick walls, trim and flashing for damage, looseness, warping and decay.
• Look for termite damage and signs of other insects or rodents.

Foundations and basements

• Check foundations for signs of settling, such as bulging or shifting. Have a professional inspect cracks more than 0.3 cm wide.
• Look in basement and crawl spaces for dampness and leakage. Standing water could be a sign of improper drainage, which can weaken the foundation.
• Test your sump pump before every wet season. Consider installing battery-operated backup sump pumps to protect against a power failure or mechanical failure of the primary pump.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

• Check that detectors are functioning; change batteries at least once a year or as needed.
• Replace units every eight to 10 years.

Doors and windows

• Add deadbolt locks to all exterior doors, including the door between the garage and your home. Use a heavy metal strike plate with three-inch screws and Grade 1 deadbolts for the highest level of protection.
• Check all windows for proper operation. Consider adding supplemental window locks.
• Replace caulk and weather-stripping that has lost contact with surfaces.

Plumbing

• Look around and under appliances and fixtures for leaks or wear. Check shutoff valves at all fixtures and the main water line annually.
• Insulate or relocate exposed water pipes to protect them from freezing and bursting. Think about replacing outdoor faucets with frost-proof models.
• Replace washing machine water hoses every three to five years.
• Check your water heater. Most water heaters last eight to 12 years. Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a problem. Water heaters should be installed on the lowest level of the home and always be located next to a floor drain.

Electrical and mechanical systems

• Have professionals check your air conditioning and furnace. Consider having your air ducts cleaned.
• Have an electrician inspect your electrical system.
• Plug sensitive electronic equipment and appliances into ULC-listed surge protector power strips.
• Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and damper, and the space under the dryer. (Lint buildup may cause a fire.)

Landscaping, walks and porches

• Check for loose handrails, banisters and stair coverings.
• Repair buckled or cracked walkways.
• Trees should be healthy and placed at a safe distance from the home. Trim shrubbery branches away from siding to help prevent insect and moisture damage. Mulch and earth should be kept 20 centimetres below siding.