A healthy home for every season

How to maintain your home for every season

Introduction

A home provides comfort and safety no matter how big or small it is. But if your home is not maintained correctly, will it be able to offer the same amount of reliability when it was still new? Like humans who encounter different stages in life, homes experience different phases too--we call them seasons. 

Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. 

All these seasons affect our homes differently. Thus it is only important to know how to properly maintain your home in different seasons to keep it healthy and spare you from costly repairs and other unnecessary expenses. Having said this, allow us to share some tips on maintaining your home in every season. 

Winter 

• Clean or replace furnace filters
• Check smoke detectors
• Ensure that air intakes, exhausts, and meters are clear of snow
• Clean humidifier
• Check basement floor drain trap; replenish if needed
• Inspect all faucets for signs of dripping
• Flush Tankless Hot Water System

Spring 

• Clean or replace furnace filters
• Clean furnace humidifier; close its damper to applicable areas where aircon is centralized.
• Check fireplace and chimney; service or clean if needed
• Clean range hood filter
• Inspect air conditioning; service as needed (usually every 2-3 years)
• Check/clean HRV; wash or replace the filter
• Clean dehumidifier if necessary
• Clean windows screens and hardware; install screens
• Check that air intake and exhausts are clear of debris, nests, etc. 
• Open outside hose connection.
• Check foundation walls, sump pump, eaves troughs, and downspouts
• Undertake spring landscape maintenance; fertilize young trees
• Test plumbing shut-off valves to ensure they are working

Summer 

• Clean or replace furnace filters
• Check/clean HRV; wash or replace the filter
• Check roofing and flashing for signs of wear or damage
• Check the attic for signs of moisture
• Air out damp basements on dry days or use a dehumidifier
• Check basement floor drain trap; replenish if needed
• Check exterior wood for deterioration
• Check exterior finishes
• Check chalking and weather stripping of doors and windows
• Recaulk as necessary
• Clean range hood filter
• Flush Tankless Hot Water System
• Inspect chimneys for possible end-of-season problems
• Repair any areas that may compromise you and your households’ safety

Fall 

• Clean or replace furnace filters
• Check/clean HRV; wash or replace the filter
• Clean furnace humidifier; open its damper to applicable areas where aircon is centralized.
• Have furnace/heating system serviced(every two years)
• For central air conditioning, clean filter in the air handling unit
• Cover the exterior of air conditioning units
• Close outside hose connection
• Check and oil door hinges
• Close windows
• Winterize landscaping
• Ensure that ground slopes away from the foundation wall
• Inspect basement or crawl space or signs of leakage/seepage
• Vacuum ducts behind warm air and return air grilles
• Clean leaves out of leaves troughs
• Check chimneys for possible obstructions
• Flush Tankless Hot Water System

Final Thoughts

Since every season impacts our home uniquely, different ways of home care should be done. Keep those maintenance tips in mind or have them printed on a piece of paper. Repeat checking the list twice, inspect your home thrice but never forget to perform them, even once.

Have a safe and comfy home living all year round!

This article was last updated on Dec 21, 2024