WINTER HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS

Nov 15, 2019

WINTER HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS

HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS FROM OUR KIMBERLEY EXPERTS

Our winters are tough! Kimberley Homes’ Homeowner Service Experts have put together some tips to help you maintain the quality of your home over the cold, windy, and snowy months! If you have any questions about the following information, or other home maintenance, please get in touch!

 

YOUR HOME’S MAIN SYSTEMS

Your furnace works overtime in our long winters! Regular maintenance is key to staying warm, and maintaining the air quality inside your home. Check your furnace and humidifier filters and replace or clean them every second month during the winter months.

Check your hot water tank, and drain any sediment from the bottom of the tank.

Clean your HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) by replacing or cleaning the filters, and by cleaning the plastic tubes and drain pans. Check outside to make sure that the vents are clear of snow and ice build-up.

Change the humidity setting on your humidifier to around 20%, and adjust as needed if any condensation (water droplets) appear on your windows.

Clean your humidifier.

exterior of a white home in the farmhouse style

SNOW AND ICE

Snow is a constant throughout the winter, and the roof of your home is designed to handle “average” amounts for our climate. In the event of excessive or heavy snowfall, be sure to remove snow on your roof to avoid damage to the shingles and underlying structures.

Keep sidewalks and driveways clear of snow and ice by regularly clearing them. Keep in mind that chemical de-icers and ice melt will damage your concrete and grass, and can be hazardous to pets and animals. The best product to use to combat slippery walkways is sand.

gas cook top

GENERAL INTERIOR MAINTENANCE

  • Vacuum and dust fresh air vents, bathroom fans, behind and underneath your fridge and freezer
  • Test your carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke detectors, and change batteries as required
  • Check your fire extinguishers and recharge as required
  • Clean range hood filters

 

SAFETY FIRST

Please take all necessary safety precautions when performing any maintenance tasks. This is especially important for any work you’re doing on your roof.

 

If you come across a maintenance requirement that you are not comfortable completing on your own you have a few options:

  • Contact the manufacturer or supplier of the product and ask if they can perform the maintenance for you
  • Contact Kimberley Homes and we can recommend one of our expert trade partners to assist you!

FURTHER READING

For a complete list of all the recommended – and required – homeowner maintenance please review The Alberta New Home Warranty Program’s “Guide to the Care and Maintenance of Your New Home”online at ANHWP.com.

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