Checklist: Quick Annual Home Maintenance List

As a homeowner, it can seem like your schedule is filled with boring housekeeping duties. Sometimes it can even become a sort of insurmountable mountain that we tend to want to avoid by cutting corners or simply ignoring what should be done.

However, it must be recognized that avoiding maintenance tasks will end up having financial consequences and sometimes even risks to your health and the integrity of your home.

To keep up with your home maintenance needs in Ottawa, Ontario, one of the best techniques is to create some well-organized schedule where you spread these tasks out over the months. Knowing exactly when to think about a particular thing will make managing the maintenance of the home easier to approach and maintain.

In this article, we will be sharing some of the most important annual home maintenance tasks and how to tackle them effortlessly;

Clean Windows

Once or twice a year, the exterior surface of the glass deserves a good cleaning to ensure that the windows are clean and that they remain in good condition over the long term.

Hiring an expert might be necessary when some of your windows are difficult to access, especially those located on the second floor or in a skylight.

Maintain Exterior Plumbing

Outdoor plumbing, including garden hoses and sprinkler systems, are exposed to the elements and, if not properly maintained, could have a reduced life span.
That is why it is important to maintain them at least once a year.

This task should be done in the spring. Watch out for rust, make sure your piping is well insulated, and check that the drains are not blocked.

Caulk The Holes Around the House (To Prevent Insect Invasions)

Several times a year, you can do a rough inspection around the house to see if there’re any holes that are open invitations for bugs.
These holes could be around basement windows, in foundations, in siding, and so on.

Techniques for repairing these holes vary depending on where these openings are located, so you will need to tailor your plan to the conditions you are exposed to.

Inspect The Condition of the Patio

At the end of winter, you will certainly be looking forward to enjoying moments on your patio. Before installing your furniture and your BBQ, take the time to inspect the structure and make sure that everything is in good condition.
Note if you need to redo the paint or stain and if some repairs are necessary.
Hiring a professional painting contractor in Ottawa, Ontario, will give you reliable results.

Inspect The Roof

In spring and fall, it is strongly recommended that you inspect the roof.
Ideally, this inspection should be done by an expert. However, if you can see the roof well from your front or back yard, you can do your own rough inspection.

Inspect The Exterior Siding

There are several types of exterior siding materials. Since this article applies to everyone, we cannot give specific advice for a particular material.
However, it is important to know that all types of siding should be inspected at least once a year.
Here are the main issues to watch out for on the most popular siding materials;

• Brick – Beef belly, joints in poor condition;
• Vinyl – Slats that curl;
• Aluminum – Marks and dents;
• Wood – Mold, need maintenance;
• Fiber cement – Discolorations, cracks;

Clean The Gutters

We understand that cleaning gutters are not most homeowner’s favorite job.
However, it is an important task to ensure that gutters can perform efficiently.
In general, gutters should be emptied and cleaned at least once a year.
If your house is surrounded by trees, you will need to repeat this operation two or three times a year to avoid blockages.

Repaint Your Exterior Surfaces (Patio, Siding, Shed, Fence)

Before they can enjoy summer, most homeowners in Ottawa want to make sure that their outdoor environment matches their expectations.
Sometimes this involves pulling out the brush to paint or stain wood surfaces, including the patio, balcony, siding, shed, or fence.

Need Help with That?

If you need help with repainting your home as a maintenance practice, our professional team at Millers Painting would love to help.

We offer high-quality exterior painting, staining, and refinishing services in Kanata, Nepean, Barrhaven, and Westboro areas of Ottawa, Ontario.

To give a try, book a FREE estimate or call us at 613-979-5435.

You May Also Like: