Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Watch for

• Check for ice dams after snow (5 min)
  Ice along the roof edge with icicles means meltwater is backing up under the shingles.
• Look for condensation on windows (5 min)
  Persistent condensation means humidity is too high, and that ends in mould.
• Keep the heat on in unused rooms (ongoing)
  Closed-off rooms are where pipes freeze, because nobody notices they are cold.
• Clear snow away from vents and exhausts (10 min)
  A blocked furnace exhaust sends carbon monoxide back into the house. Check after every heavy fall.

Good winter jobs

Indoor work for when it is too cold to be outside.

• Test GFCI outlets (20 min)
  Press test, then reset. Any that do not trip need replacing.
• Deep clean and check appliances (1 hr)
  Check hoses on the washing machine — a burst one empties at mains pressure until someone notices.
• Plan and budget for spring work (1 hr)
  The quiet month is the right time to get quotes for anything big.

Every month

Ten minutes that prevent most of the expensive surprises.

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms (5 min)
  Press and hold the test button until it sounds. Replace batteries yearly whether or not they chirp.
• Clean the range hood filter (15 min)
  Soak in hot water and degreaser. A clogged filter makes the fan useless and is a genuine fire risk.
• Run water in unused sinks and tubs (2 min)
  Keeps the trap full so sewer gas cannot come back up. Guest bathrooms are the usual culprit.
• Check under sinks for damp (5 min)
  Run a hand along the back of the cabinet. Slow leaks are cheap now and catastrophic in a year.
• Clean garbage disposal (5 min)
  Ice cubes and a cut lemon. Grinds off buildup and clears the smell.

Every three months

The jobs that quietly cost you money when skipped.

• Replace or clean HVAC filters (10 min)
  A blocked filter makes the system work harder and shortens its life. Monthly if you have pets.
• Test the water heater pressure relief valve (10 min)
  Lift the lever and let it snap back. If it does not reseat or does not release, call someone.
• Check the fire extinguisher gauge (2 min)
  Needle in the green. Also check nobody has moved it out of the kitchen.
• Inspect caulking around tubs and showers (10 min)
  Gaps let water behind the tile, which is the most expensive way to discover a small problem.
• Run a garage door safety check (5 min)
  Put an object in the path and confirm it reverses. Also check the auto-reverse on downward pressure.