Household Spring & Summer Maintenance Calendar

Spring

• Clean or replace furnace filter
• Check/Clean heat recovery ventilator (HRV); wash or replace filter
• Clean humidifier and turn off
• Clean sump pump
• Check gutters and downspouts and clean if needed
• Inspect air conditioning; service, as needed (usually every 2 to 3 years)
• Inspect basement or crawl space for signs of seepage/leakage
• Ensure ground slopes away form foundation wall
• Open outside hose connection
• Open vents to outdoor crawl space
• Clean windows, screens & hardware; install screens
• Check that air intake and exhausts are clear of debris and nests etc.
• Clean range hood filter
• You can turn off your HRV if your windows are mostly open in the Summer, leave on if they are closed
• Undertake Spring landscape maintenance; fertilize young trees
• test your smoke alarms. Change the batteries at least once a year

Every Two to Five Years

• Check and repair driveway cracks
• Check and repair the chimney cap and the caulking between the cap and chimney; recaulk, as necessary
• Refinish wood surfaces, including window frames and doors

Summer

• Check exterior finishes
• Check exterior wood for signs of deterioration
• Check caulking and weather-stripping around windows, including around entry door from garage and home
• Check basement floor drain trap; replenish with water if needed
• Have furnace/heating system serviced (every two years for an electric furnace)
• Use dehumidifier in damp basements
• For central air conditioning; clean filter in air handling unit

Annually

• Dust or Vacuum electric boards
• Vacuum ducts behind warm air and return air grills
• Test plumbing shut-off valves to ensure they are working
• Test pressure relief valve on hot water tank; drain water from tank
• Check door hinges and oil; if needed
• Lubricate garage door motor, chain etc.
• Check attic for signs of moisture in Summer or Fall
• Check septic system; clean if needed (usually about every three years)
• Do safety checks: fire escape routes, fire extinguisher, door and window locks

This information is brought to us by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).