Spring Homeowner Maintenance
By Cedarglen Site Supervisors
Image courtesy of Apri's Industries Ltd.
Most home maintenance activities are seasonal. Fall is the time to get your home ready for the coming winter, which of course in Calgary can be the most gruelling season for your home both inside and out. During winter months, it is important to follow routine maintenance procedures as laid out by Cedarglen or posted on Your Home OnTrack. Check your home carefully for any problems that may arise and taking corrective action as soon as possible. Spring is the time to assess winter damage, start repairs and prepare for the summer days ahead.
Spring Maintenance Checklist
[ ] Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season. Ventilation systems such as a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), should have the filters cleaned every two months as per the maintenance sticker on the core inside the unit. Lennox recommends cleaning the HRV core twice a year or more frequently in dusty conditions.
[ ] Shut down and clean the drip humidifier and close the humidifier damper on homes with central air conditioning.
[ ] Turn OFF gas to fireplace or set the pilot light to "spark ignition" using the master controller and the manual provided. With the unit turned off, this is a good time to clean the glass.
[ ] Test and vacuum smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries.
[ ] Vacuum bathroom fan grilles to remove dust. Also vacuum the fan with a crevice tool or small brush. This will help re-balance the fan blades and make it quieter.
[ ] Clean windows, screens and hardware. Condensation that has collected at the windows in the winter can cause a build up of mildew in the tracks. Check screens first and repair or replace if needed.
[ ] Adjust the striker plates on exterior door handles and deadbolts to avoid gapping at the weather-stripping. The hard slamming of the door in winter sometimes causes them to come loose.
[ ] Open exterior water shut off valve to outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed. Remember not to hook up a hose until all threat of freezing has passed to avoid damage to the plumbing.
[ ] Make sure your downspout extensions are placed in the down position before the heavy rains start.
[ ] Clear back yard concrete swales of mud and debris.
Don't forget that your HRV unit also functions as a dehumidifier which will help make the air in your home less humid which in turn is more comfortable in the heat of the day. Just set the "RH" to a lower setting, around 30 percent.