Summer is here and you’re probably ready for those long weekends up north or warm summer evenings on a patio. Home maintenance isn’t what you’ve got on your mind.
Taking the time to do some summer home maintenance will help you avoid interrupting the dog days of summer by putting a stop to the most common--and costly--problems, before they occur. Your home is probably one of your largest investments and certainly your most important, so protect it with some of these simple tasks before you dive into summer.
Inside Your Home
- Monitor basement humidity and avoid relative humidity levels above 60 per cent. Use a dehumidifier to maintain relative humidity below 60 per cent.
- Clean or replace air-conditioning filter, and clean or replace ventilation system filters if necessary.
- Check basement pipes for condensation or dripping and, if necessary, take corrective action; for example, reduce humidity and/or insulate cold water pipes.
- Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water; refill with water if necessary.
- If you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, for example, a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap.
- Deep clean carpets and rugs.
- Vacuum bathroom fan grille.
- Disconnect the duct connected to your clothes dryer, and vacuum lint from duct, the areas surrounding your dryer and your dryer’s vent hood outside.
Outside Your Home
- Check for and replace damaged caulking and weatherstripping around mechanical and electrical services, windows and doorways, including the doorway between the garage and the house.
- Inspect electrical service lines for secure attachment where they enter your house, and make sure there is no water leakage into the house along the electrical conduit. Check for overhanging tree branches that may need to be removed.
- From the ground, check the general condition of the roof and note any sagging that could indicate structural problems requiring further investigation from inside the attic. Note the condition of shingles for possible repair or replacement, and examine 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, as well as any damaged steps.
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