Home Maintenance Tips for Summer

Although it may not feel like it yet, summer is officially here; however, given the current state of affairs, many of us will likely be sticking close to home these next few months instead of venturing abroad like usual.  Whether you feel like being productive or not during this time is, of course, completely up to you (between BBQing, bike riding, and dips in the lake, we wouldn't blame you if you just wanted to kick back and relax).  But, if you are planning on spending more time at your home this summer, you may want to consider tackling some routine seasonal maintenance items to keep your house running in optimal condition.

In another instalment of our 'Home Maintenance Tips' from National Home Warranty, we are covering the items that require your attention during the warmer months.  Like usual, we suggest you keep your own personal safety and skill limitations in mind when performing these tasks, and consider hiring a professional when appropriate.  Here is the list:

• Remove debris from gutters, eavestroughs, and down-pipes.  Hose them out and ensure good drainage flow.
• Examine window and door seals and repair as necessary.  This will cut down on energy costs for cooling.
• Examine and repair grout in bathrooms and tile floors to prevent moisture damage - materials' shrinkage may occur during the hot season.
• Inspect and lubricate garage door roller shafts (do not attempt to adjust door springs yourself - always call a technician).
• Lubricate locks on doors and windows with silicone spray.
• Check window screens and screen doors for tears if installed.
• Check the condition of concrete slabs and sidewalks and asphalt driveways - repair cracks as necessary.
• Make sure sprinklers and hoses are not directed against the outside of the house.  (If you live in a strata community like Cadence, coordinate any necessary repairs or adjustments with your Community Manager so that they can be handled by the maintenance company).
• Make sure that plants and bushes do not grow up against the outside of the house as moisture may be trapped, causing damage.  (Again, if you live in strata community like Cadence, an item like this will be handled by your landscape maintenance company).
• Check all landscaping and outdoor features to ensure good drainage away from the house, if the ground has settled or water is running back towards the house.
• Make sure all your drainage systems are working properly and that water drains away from your home.  If it does not, take corrective action immediately.
• Check to ensure there are no insects or vermin getting into your home.  
  
  

For more information on how to keep your home living its best life, please visit the National Home Warranty website.  And, no matter what this summer happens to bring you, we wish you continued good health, happiness, and a liberal dose of Vitamin D once you're done your chores (should you choose to do them, that is).

Life's good lived at your own rhythm!

Home Maintenance Tips for Spring

Now that the weather is warming up and we've all got a little bit more time on our hands, many of us are focusing our efforts on home improvement to keep busy.  Dusting, decluttering, and window washing are some of the immediate spring cleaning chores that come to mind (and if you don't find these things a chore, then please share your ways with us), but there are many other routine home maintenance items that should be addressed during this time too.

In continuation of our 'Home Maintenance Tips' series, here are some routine maintenance items that should be tackled every spring (again, keeping your own personal safety and skill limitations in mind) courtesy of our friends at National Home Warranty:

• Clean and test all you smoke alarms (replace batteries, if needed).
• Test all GFCIs in bathrooms, kitchens, outside receptacles, and on the electrical panel.
• Change the furnace filters.
• Inspect the roof visually from the ground if possible (be safety conscious if you have to go on the roof, or hire a contractor).
• Clean gutters and down-pipes and make sure downspouts and splash pads drain away from walls and foundation.
• Inspect caulking inside and out and touch-up or replace where needed with approved products.
• Clean windows, window tracks, and make sure weep holes are not blocked (including sliding door tracks - lubricate openers and track rollers with silicone spray).
• Remember to turn on the interior water supply to hose bibs and exterior faucets.  Use this time to check for leaks!

For more detailed information and other handy home maintenance tips, please visit the National Home Warranty website.

Life's good lived at your own rhythm!

Home Maintenance Tips for Fall

Although the sun hasn't stopped shining in the Okanagan, cooler temperatures and longer days are upon us.  For those of us who don't live in a maintenance free community like Cadence at The Lakes, that often means raking leaves, lots and lots of leaves.  On top of that, there are a variety of other important seasonal home maintenance tasks that should be taken care of every fall, regardless of where you live.  Keeping your own personal skill and safety limitations in mind, here are some items to put on your seasonal maintenance calendar according to our friends at National Home Warranty:

• Check windows and doors on the exterior for possible air or water leaks; make sure the weep holes are clear at the bottom on the outside.
• Inspect caulking around windows for cracks or separation from the window or building.
• Check the roof for loose shingles, tiles, or shakes.  Make sure vents are in good condition and are not blocked with debris.
• If you have large trees or shrubs close to the home, make sure they are trimmed back to avoid branches damaging the exterior of the home, the shingles, or interfering with vents.
• Check for leaves and debris in gutters and eavestroughs and check for blockages at the down-pipe connections.
• Vacuum and clean out forced air registers (vents) and ductwork in your home.
• Turn your outside water outlets off and drain exterior faucets of water.
• Remove the hoses and any other attachments for the hosebib itself.
• Check all of the vents outside your home: the combustion vent intake, the dryer vent, and the range hood vent.  Make sure they are all clear, functional, and the screens are clean.
• Check CO (Carbon Monoxide) detectors, if installed.

For more detailed information and other handy home maintenance tips, please visit the National Home Warranty website.  And then, once you're done reading on the internet, get back out there and finish your raking (unless you live at Cadence, then you can do whatever you want)!

Life's good lived at your own rhythm!