Winter can take a toll on your home.
Here are 17 helpful tips to get things is shape for summer!
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working efficiently (replace batteries if required)
- Adjust thermostat for summer mode
- Clean filters in HRV, hood fan and furnace – this should be done monthly
- Clean any debris that has collected in your window wells
- Clean windows and re-install screens
- Clean out eavestroughing and make sure no leaks so water drains away from the house (at least 3’)
- Lubricate garage door tracks, tighten any bolts that have loosened & replace any damaged weather stripping
- Schedule annual maintenance on your furnace and air conditioner by a qualified contractor
- Remove winter cover from your air conditioner and clean the coils
- Remove the glass from fireplace & clean as required
- Set fireplace to summer mode and shut off pilot light if you have one
- Check external surfaces (roof, etc.) to make sure nothing was damaged during winter and repair as required
- Clear any debris from swales; make sure there is no remaining snow or ice blocking them from draining water effectively
- Make sure your gas meter is not blocked by debris or snow
- Close bleeder nut and open valve to outside hose connection and check for any leaks once risk of freezing is over
- Start spring landscape maintenance, fertilize trees and plants, and apply lawn seed
- Check exterior steps and ground settling at foundation, re-adjust steps if moved around during winter, and build up landscaping if necessary to ensure proper rainwater flow away from foundation walls