Your Summer maintenance checklist.

Nothing renews the soul quite like spending time in the fresh air, drinking in the scents of a freshly mowed lawn or flowers in bloom. Although the warm weather beckons us outdoors, summer is a great season to tackle all sorts of things that are important to keep your Excel home running smoothly and safely.

To-Do Checklist:

1) Electrical cords and outlets:

• Repair or replace any loose or frayed wires on all electrical devices

• Check for a faulty electrical system by feeling all outlets and plugs to see if any are warm; if so, call an electrician immediately to check them.

2) Heating/cooling, appliances and countertops:

• Examine the outside vents – they should be properly sealed and clear of obstruction to prevent carbon monoxide buildup in the house.
• Vacuum all vents and fans

• Dirty furnace filters can cause circulation issues and force your furnace to work harder causing you additional energy costs. Diarize to change your furnace filter every six months so it runs at peak performance.
• Your air conditioner filter should be cleaned out every two weeks, especially if it is running at an all-time high. You can clean the filter of dust by washing with warm water or using a vacuum cleaner.
• Don’t forget to empty your central vacuum system canister and clean its filter as well
• Your range hood filter gets very greasy over time. Clean it in hot, soapy water or place it in your dishwasher
• Check registers and vents for loose or missing covers and screws
• Replace any smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors that don’t work. According to experts, alarms and should be replaced every 10 years and CO detectors every seven years.
• Replace the batteries once a year… Or sooner, if the alarm squeaks.
• Clean your detectors by vacuuming each grille.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) – CO is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that blocks your body’s ability to absorb oxygen.
• Your gutters may need to be cleaned multiple times each year and it’s best to access your roof in the summer when it’s dry to give your gutters a good clean. Remove obvious debris like leaves and tree branches.
• Inspect your roof for any broken or damaged shingles as they can cause severe water damage
• Another source of water and air leaks are the seals around windows and doors. Check the caulking on the outside frames and check that there are no cracks in the glass

• Dust from your bathroom exhaust fan builds up on the grill cover and the fan motor over time. To prevent dangerous buildup, it's important to clean it thoroughly to ensure good airflow.

• Check around hot water tanks for leaks, or damaged floors, which could be a sign of a leak
• Granite countertops need to be sealed to protect it from stains. If the water beads up, your countertop is in great shape. If the water is absorbed, it’s time to re-seal.

3) Inspect water heaters:

• Test the temperature-pressure relief valve by quickly discharging it two or three times. Following the testing, keep an eye out for small leaks from the valve.
• Drain about a quarter of the tank a few times a year to remove sediment and debris. You do that by turning off the cold-water supply, then by hooking up a garden hose to the drain valve and letting the water run into a bucket until it is clear.
• If the water remains cloudy, for a short time open the water supply valve to stir up the remaining sediment, and drain the tank again.
• The temperature should be set at no higher than 120 degrees to prevent burns.

4) Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors – should be Canada Standards Association (CSA) approved:

Outdoors:

• Your gutters may need to be cleaned multiple times each year and it’s best to access your roof in the summer when it’s dry to give your gutters a good clean. Remove obvious debris like leaves and tree branches.
• Inspect your roof for any broken or damaged shingles as they can cause severe water damage
• Another source of water and air leaks are the seals around windows and doors. Check the caulking on the outside frames and check that there are no cracks in the glass