| Homeowners

It’s kind of weird that one of the biggest mistakes our buyer clients make has nothing to do with the buying process. It actually lies in the fact that a lot of new homeowners have no idea how to take care of their homes once they move in. 

The thing is, when you overlook basic home maintenance, little finicky, seemingly harmless issues tend to become money-pit-level problems that will devalue your home over time. That’s a big mistake that will cost you when it comes time to sell. 

We thought we’d help you take a more proactive approach by breaking down the simple house and condo maintenance tasks you should perform every summer. Follow this checklist and you’ll avoid major damage that not only costs a fortune to repair, but that will leave you singing the blues when it’s time to sell. 

Summer Home Maintenance for Houses

Use this checklist to help keep your house in pristine condition. 

Basement

Basements can lead to all kinds of problems if you’re not keeping an eye on them, including:

  • Humidity: Humidity causes stinky, unhealthy issues including mould and mildew, which are instant alarms for buyers. Be aware of a damp feeling or musty smells in the basement as they indicate humidity issues. Consider using a dehumidifier to maintain relative humidity below 60 per cent to avoid damaging moisture.
  • Air quality: Summer is tough on your HVAC system, especially when we’re mid heat wave. By cleaning or replacing your air-conditioning filter in the beginning of the summer, you help improve efficiency to prolong your HVAC’s life. 
  • Pipes: Check basement pipes for condensation or dripping as this can be a sign of humidity issues. You might have to insulate cold water pipes to avoid moisture damage in the heat of summer.
  • Floor drain: Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water and refill it if it doesn’t. The small amount of water in the trap prevents gases and odours from entering your home, while blocking debris that can lead to clogs, burst pipes and other costly plumbing issues. Also, for plumbing fixtures you don’t use frequently, like your laundry tub or a spare bathroom sink, tub, or shower stall, run the water briefly to keep water in the trap.

Whether you’re maintaining your home or improving it through renovations, here are some more blog posts to help homeowners:

General care

There are a few things you can do to help prolong the life of appliances and finishes in your home, including:

  • Deep clean carpets and rugs
  • Vacuum bathroom and kitchen fan grills and clean or replace ventilation system filters if necessary
  • Disconnect the duct connected to your clothes dryer, and vacuum lint from the duct, the areas surrounding your dryer and your dryer vent hood outside (this is a good job for pro duct cleaners to make sure it’s done right)
  • Check the security of handrails on stairs
  • Check windows to make sure they open and close smoothly and lubricate as required
  • Lubricate door hinges, and tighten screws as needed
  • Check for and replace damaged caulking and weather-stripping around mechanical and electrical services, windows, and doorways, including the doorway between the garage and the house

Exterior jobs

Small exterior issues that go unnoticed are notorious for causing costly interior damage, so inspect your house for the following: 

  • Inspect window putty on glass panes of older houses and replace if needed to prevent air and water leaks
  • Sand and touch up paint on windows and doors to maintain a watertight seal to avoid rot
  • 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 to avoid roof or siding damage
  • Check exterior wood siding and trim for signs of deterioration and clean, replace or refinish as needed to protect against water damage and maintain energy efficiency
  • Remove any plants or roots that contact or penetrate siding or brick as well as things like walkways, patios, driveways, etc.
  • Repair the driveway and walkway as needed
  • Repair any damaged steps, handrails, and guardrails

Thinking about doing some renovations to your home? Here are some interior design elements that never go out of style. 

Garage

It’s important to ensure your garage door is operating properly to avoid accidents. Lubricate your garage door hardware, automatic garage door opener motor, chain, and other moving parts. Test the auto-reverse mechanism to make sure it works. Better yet, hire a professional to perform annual garage door maintenance. 

Roof

Minor roof leaks and gutter/eavestrough issues can damage your home’s interior, foundation, and structure over time. Every summer be sure to:

  • Check the general condition of the roof from the ground and note any sagging that could indicate structural problems  
  • Note the condition of shingles and examine roof flashing, such as at chimney and roof joints, for any signs of cracking or leakage
  • Check the caulking between the chimney cap and chimney for signs of damage
  • Check the attic for signs of sagging, moisture, mould, wood rot, wildlife, etc.

We’d advise investing in a summer roof inspection with your local roofing company. They’ll do all of this AND make the necessary repairs on the spot. It’s worth the small investment to keep you safely on the ground and your roof in good condition! 

Buying a home is a big decision! Here are some articles to help you make the right choice:

Summer Home Maintenance for Condos

Luckily, your list isn’t as long because you don’t have to contend with basements or the major exterior stuff. However, be sure to follow our house General Care list and the following balcony/patio tips:

  • Check caulking and weather-stripping on your patio doors and replace anything that’s damaged
  • Do some general housekeeping to prepare your outdoor space such as carefully sweeping to avoid getting dust onto other people’s balconies, removing covers from outdoor furniture, and disposing of dead plants from last year
  • Check balcony glass, rails, connectors to the building, concrete floor, etc. and report damage to the property manager
  • Make sure you understand condo bylaws regarding balcony use such as barbecues, storage limitations, height of plants, privacy wall installation, etc. before investing money in updates

Although just looking at this summer maintenance checklist is exhausting, you can break things down into manageable tasks to leave plenty of time to do the things you love (drinks on the patio anyone?). And hey, it’s just once a year, so it’s not so bad. Also, if budget allows you can always consider hiring a qualified handyperson to help you!

Do you need a handyperson referral? Do you have questions about your home’s maintenance? Contact The Christine Cowern team at info@christinecowern.com or 416-291-7372. We’d love to chat.

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