You’ve found the perfect Toronto home in your preferred neighbourhood – if you want to stave off potential issues and you want to keep it looking its best, then there are some very simple home maintenance tasks you should do routinely. By keeping on top of small things, you will eliminate the larger issues that can arise from simple things left undone. To help you keep track we’ve compiled a list of tasks you should do every so often to keep your home in top shape.
Regrout/recaulk
It is important to refresh the caulking and/or grout around tubs, sinks, toilet bowls and tiles. Recaulking/grouting will prevent water damage in these high-water areas.
Exhaust fans/air conditioners/central vacuums
Clean out the filters in all the small appliances that have them including exhaust fans, air conditioning units and central vacuums. Cleaning your exhaust fans will prevent mold from forming while cleaning any filter will ensure that the appliances it’s in will continue functioning optimally.
Downspouts
Make sure that your downspouts are always pointing away from your home and can drain easily. Downspouts that are clogged or don’t have the attachment that leads away from your home could cause water damage to your foundation.
Drains
Keep your drains draining smoothly by giving them a good cleaning every few months. You can use baking soda and vinegar to clean them out periodically, but if you have a really slow moving drain, then you should use a snake to clear any gunk built up and to get the water flowing again.
Gutters
Gutters should be cleaned at least once a year – if not twice – in the spring and in the fall. This is especially true if you have a lot of trees close to your home. Cleaning debris out of the gutters will help to keep the water flowing properly and prevent any water damage from happening.
Driveway
Fill in any cracks you might see right away. Leaving a crack can actually cause the crack to widen and worsen over time – especially due to winter conditions. You should also reseal your asphalt every few years.
Trees
Trim your trees and hedges to keep them away from power lines. It is better to prevent vegetation from getting tangled up with power lines to avoid a falling branch taking out the power and causing expensive damage.
Windows/doors
Inspect your window and door seals to makes sure there are no leaks. If you do find a leak then you should seal it right away.
By keeping on top of these few simple tasks, you can easily maintain your home.
