Home Maintenance Tips For the Month of June

Have you recently moved into a brand new home? Often times we don’t consider proper care and maintenance of a home throughout its lifetime. Monthly maintenance can help prolong the life of your home and prevent future costly repairs or replacement!

Test fire detectors and replace batteries if required!

Consider the following items for a maintenance check this month:

1. Inspect air conditioning system (if installed) – Not sure what to look for? Click here to view EnergyStar’s handy list. For any major issues that you are unable to fix be sure to call a professional.

2. Fertilize your lawn – Here is a handy “How To” from the City of Calgary website. Always use organic and chemical-free alternatives to keep your lawn AND the environment healthy. Stay green!

3. Clean intake vent screens – Your kitchen and bathroom vents take in and extract air through this path. Be sure the outdoor intake vents are clear of obstructions. A thorough vacuum or dusting of the bathroom exhaust will help keep the fan working at its full capacity and further reduce moisture build-up during showers.

4. Check CO and smoke detector batteries – Although it’s suggested to swap out batteries at least twice a year (ie. daylight savings), a monthly battery check is always a good idea. Depress the “test” button to ensure alarm works or if the “low battery” chirp starts to go off at any time, replace with brand new batteries. Never swap one set of batteries from an existing detector to another. Consider replacing your smoke/CO detector every 1 years or less as the sensors have a limited lifespan.

5. Clean range hood filters - Remove and clean filter of grease buildup. Simply pop it in the dishwasher on its next run! Or if there is a large amount of build-up, give it a good clean by hand. Just follow these handy steps.

6. Check for soil settlement at the foundation - Examine your basement walls for cracks. Any large horizontal cracks may be cause for concern and could be caused by soil settlement. There may also be a number of other factors that could cause cracks in the foundation and they must not be ruled out. Always have an expert inspect your home if you discover cracking in the foundation.

All of these monthly checks are something that will take time and some money. With the home being the largest investment most people will ever make, maintaining and checking these simple items on an ongoing basis is a must!