Spring is Here! Home Maintenance Checklist
A few basic monthly maintenance tasks on your home will help you avoid costly repairs in the future. The good news is that most of these jobs are DIY friendly, require ordinary household items, and are inexpensive to complete. A home maintenance program, similar to a regular health check-up, is essential for the upkeep of any home. Checking on your exterior, appliances, heating and cooling, plumbing, security, and electrical systems on a regular basis will help prevent malfunctions, save money, and have your home clean and organized.
Spring Maintenance Checklist
HVAC Systems: Call your HVAC professional to schedule a bi-annual checkup and servicing for your home’s central heating and air conditioning system. A specialist should inspect the ductwork for damage, and clean and service the furnace and air conditioner compressor, as well as the vents in the bathroom.
Steam Heat: Flush your boiler to remove any deposited sediment if you use steam heat.
Plumbing: Examine your pipes thoroughly, especially under sinks, to ensure there are no indications of leaks. Start by looking up at your ceilings for water stains, which are a symptom of a leak in the wall. Inspect faucets for drips and the flapper in your toilet tank to ensure it is not worn out (once the flapper wears out, your toilet will run increasingly frequently). Repair what you can, and hire a plumber for the rest.
Roof Inspection: Winter snow and ice can ruin roofing, causing leaks. You can use binoculars to inspect your roof, but you should not climb up the roof yourself. Roof repair works are best left to a professional.
Sump Pump: Rain is common in the spring. Check your sump pump to ensure it is correctly draining. You don’t want to discover that the pump’s motor has failed during a large snow thaw or rainfall.
Chimney: Even if you do not use the fireplace on a regular basis, the chimney should be inspected on a regular basis. A chimney transports harmful gasses from your fireplace, wood stove, or furnace outside of your home, assisting in keeping the air within livable. Your chimney should be inspected annually and cleaned on a regular basis, depending on how frequently you use it.
Gutter Check: During the winter, ice buildup can cause gutters to loosen and sag. Gutters that don’t drain properly can cause drainage problems; if left unattended for a season or two, an unstable gutter might spill enough water to harm the structure.
Regular inspections and upkeep of your home will help keep it in good shape and preserve its value. Doing home maintenance and repair as needed also prevents minor problems from becoming larger, more expensive problems. True North Mechanical is always there to assist you if you require plumbing or HVAC repairs. Throughout the season, we have technicians on call, so contact us directly at 780-713-4004 and we will be pleased to assist you and provide you with complete peace of mind.