Maintaining Your Calgary Home: Important Tasks to Complete Each Season

How to Take Care of Your Calgary HomeRegular home maintenance is important.

Homeowners that ignore this crucial activity can face expensive repairs and damage over time. Things like a leaking roof or damaged plumbing equipment can cost thousands or tens of thousands of dollars to fix, sometimes all in one shot. Each year, homeowners should plan to spend between 1 and 5% of their propertyʼs value in maintenance and upgrades. By implementing a regular maintenance schedule for their Calgary homes, homeowners can avoid unexpected expenses.

Depending on the season, maintenance and upgrade costs will vary. To prepare, homeowners can create a home maintenance calendar checklist. To help, here is a quick seasonal guide to identify key tasks to be done throughout the year.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Winter

Prepping for the arrival of winter can be tedious and overwhelming. The tasks listed below help winterize the home and get it ready for winter. Homeowners should:

  • Make sure the homeʼs heating system is ready.
    • High-efficiency systems may have PVC vent pipes that need to be cleared of obstructions.
    • Boiler systems should be cleaned every year.
    • Gas furnaces should be cleaned about every three years.
  • Inspect insulation.
    • Adequate insulation will keep the home warm.
    • Insufficient insulation will cause the furnace to work harder. This means a more expensive heating bill.
    • Add extra insulation to the attic, walls, and crawlspaces to help lower the heating bill.
  • Check the fireplace and chimney.
    • The buildup of creosote and debris (leaves/bird nests) can be a fire hazard and should be cleaned out.
  • Disconnect garden hoses from the outside faucet. When water freezes, frozen pipes can burst.
  • Clear snow and ice from the roof.
  • Shovel walkways and driveways.
  • Plan for the next yearʼs gardening or landscaping projects.
  • Set a schedule for future home improvements.

Spring

When things begin to thaw and melt, leaks and flooding can happen. To ensure a smooth transition from winter to warmer weather, homeowners should:

  • Clear the roof and gutters of leaves and debris that may have built up over the winter months.
  • Inspect the roof, paying particular attention to missing or damaged shingles.
  • Make sure downspouts point away from the house.
  • Check for puddles of water around the property.
  • Test sump pump, if applicable.
  • Check sprinkler system, if applicable.
  • Power-wash windows, decks and porches.
  • Finish planning landscaping and/or gardening projects.

Summer

For many, home maintenance during the summer months can be a busy time. This is partly due to landscaping maintenance. Grass, plants and flowers grow faster in the summer months. Homeowners will want to:

  • Keep a regular landscaping schedule that includes mowing, gardening and pruning.
  • Clean and condition outdoor furniture for use.
  • Inspect the foundation for cracks, water leaks, or other signs of foundation damage.
  • Touch up paint on the buildingʼs exterior.
  • Deep-clean home interior, including floors, walls, and fixtures
  • Complete indoor upgrades like painting or installing flooring. The windows and doors need to be open for ventilation and drying.
  • Identify and treat rodent or insect infestations.

Fall

When the leaves begin to fall, it means homeowners must make sure their property is ready for the coming winter months. Before the snow and ice appear, these tasks should be completed:

  • Rake the leaves.
  • Drain hoses and sprinkler system.
  • Store outdoor furniture and gear or cover them with outdoor furniture covers.
  • Clear gutters of debris and rinse clean.
  • Clean and inspect the home's siding for loose panels or cracks.
  • Add caulking and weather-stripping to windows and doors.
  • Prepare to shut off the air conditioning unit.
  • Service the furnace.
  • Check humidifier (if a whole-house humidifier is installed).
  • Clean and inspect the condition of chimneys.
  • Change and test batteries in thermostat and smoke detectors, as needed.

Itʼs a good idea for homeowners to take care of as many winterizing tasks in advance as possible. This is especially important for those who live in areas where snow and ice arrive early. Homeowners should do regular exterior walkarounds to make sure everything looks okay. Clogged gutters can cause significant damage to the structure and should be cleaned regularly.

To keep a home in good condition, following this seasonal home maintenance checklist can make things easier. Not only is a well-maintained home good for resale, but it also saves the homeowner money and stress—and is just more pleasant to live in overall.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

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