Summer home maintenance tips

Our summers are short in Canada, so we all want to enjoy the season as much as we can for as long as we can. It’s exciting to invite people over, bring out the grill, play some music and watching the people you care about enjoy your home with you.

For a lot of new homeowners, it’s the perfect time to show off their new space. During this fun time, maintenance tasks don’t tend to rank high on the list of things we want to do, but it’s important to remember that seasonal maintenance protects your warranty rights.

Owners of new homes should to be aware that damage caused by improper maintenance is not covered under their warranty. A good way to stay on track is to make it all part of your regular household chores.

One of the biggest issues you can face as a new homeowner is moisture control, so be sure to keep an eye on moisture levels throughout the year. You don’t want your home to hold too much moisture, so a good way to avoid this is by using a dehumidifier to control humidity levels. Dry, sunny days are your friend and they’re a great time to air out your basement and check any exterior wood surfaces to see if they need refurbishing.

Use your exhaust fans year-round. Summer is a good time to clean and test all your exhaust fans and get them lubricated if needed.

Here are a few more recommendations you can add to your maintenance checklist: Check and reset your ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).

Inspect your air conditioning and clean the filters.

Check garages for any weather-related damage.

Check that the sealing around windows and doors is intact.

Have your septic system inspected and pumped out, if necessary. Inspect driveways and walks for any weather-related damage.

Check your water heater.

Have a professional inspect your roof shingles, flashing and chimney caps. Most home materials and appliances come with the manufacturer’s instructions, so always refer to those recommendations first. (NC)