Regular Maintenance Is the Key to Protecting your Home’s Value

Inspecting your home on a regular basis and following good maintenance practices is a great way to protect your investment in your home. Whether you take care of a few tasks at a time or several all at once, regular maintenance can guard against many small problems as well save you money in the long run by avoiding major problems. Here is a quick checklist of things that should be looked at to clean up after Winter and get ready for Summer.

Spring Checklist

• Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season. Ventilation system, for example heat recovery ventilator, filters should be checked every two months.
• Have fireplace or woodstove and chimney cleaned and serviced as needed.
  Shut down and clean furnace humidifier, and close the furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning.
• Check air conditioning system and have serviced every two or three years.
• Clean or replace air conditioning filter (if applicable).
• Check dehumidifier and clean if necessary.
• Turn OFF gas furnace and fireplace pilot lights where possible.
• Have well water tested for quality. It is recommended that you test for bacteria every six months.
• Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and replace batteries.
• Clean windows, screens and hardware, and replace storm windows with screens. Check screens first and repair or replace if needed.
• Open valve to outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed.
• Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair as required.
• Repair and paint fences as necessary.
• Ensure sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in. Ensure discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain away from the foundation.
• Re-level any exterior steps or decks which moved due to frost or settling.
• Check eaves-troughs and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your home, clear any obstructions, and ensure water flows away from your foundation.
• Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris.
• Undertake spring landscape maintenance and, if necessary, fertilize young trees.

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