With the colder weather setting in, it’s important that homeowners have done their seasonal home maintenance. Keeping your home in good running order will ensure that your heating, cooling, and plumbing systems are working as efficiently as possible. Most homeowners in Mississauga do their annual home maintenance during the spring and autumn to prepare for winter and summer. Our Mississauga mortgage broker team is here with some seasonal tips for maintaining your home year-round.

Home Maintenance Checklist 

Depending on which season you are in will determine what type of home maintenance you need to carry out.

Home Maintenance for Autumn

As the cooler weather of Autumn sets in, leaves will fall and we spend less time outside. While those changing leaf colours are a beautiful sight to behold, they also make for a messy clean-up. Leaves and other debris can clog drains and gutters and the cooler weather means using a fireplace for some. Here’s what needs to be done for Autumn:

  • Clean the gutters out once a month so debris doesn’t build up and cause damage.
  • While you are up there cleaning those gutters out, have a look at your roof and chimney. You want to be sure there are no cracks, missing tiles, or other damage.
  • Rake up the leaves on a regular basis. You can use them for mulch or bag them up and dispose of them properly.
  • Have your furnace, water heater, and fireplace inspected. You want to complete any repairs before the cold weather kicks in.
  • Inspect, replace, or install weather stripping around the doors and windows to keep the cold air out and the warm air in.
  • Store garden furniture and your garden hose.
  • Check your snowblower over and make sure it is in working order.
  • Check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Replace the batteries if needed.

Home Maintenance for Spring

With spring comes warmer days. This is the time to prepare your garden for planting and spring cleaning. It’s also the time for checking over the home for any damage that may have occurred during those cold winter months. Here is what needs to be done for spring:

  • Inspect your roof and chimney for any damage. Clean out your gutters and eaves and replace anything that was damaged.
  • Touch up the exterior of the home with paint if needed.
  • Give your windows a good cleaning, inside and outside.
  • Inspect garden furniture and decorations, as well as garden tools like your lawn mover and garden hose.
  • Have your heating system inspected.
  • If you have a sump pump, test it to make sure it is working efficiently.

Home Maintenance for Winter

Most of your home maintenance will have been done in the Autumn before it gets too cold. There are still a couple of things to do for winter:

  • Make sure your central air system is covered up and any air conditioning units have been removed.
  • If you have solar lights, now is the time to store them away.
  • If you haven’t done so already, make sure you have cleaned and replaced any filters for your furnace.
  • Make sure drains are clear of debris and insulate outside pipes against the harsher weather. Plumbing issues that occur now will be harder to fix due to the ground being frozen solid.
  • Make sure your winter tools, like snow shovels, are within easy reach.

Home Maintenance for Summer

Most of your summer maintenance started in spring, however, there are still things to do in the summer months:

  • Keep on top of your bush and plant pruning.
  • Cut your grass regularly and maintain your landscaping.
  • Check the filters for your furnace and air conditioning units and replace them if needed.
  • Have your water heater flushed out.
  • If you tend to barbecue often, this is the time to inspect your grill and be sure it is in good working order.

Keeping on top of your home maintenance, especially in areas like your heating and plumbing systems, can save you money over time. Energy-efficient windows and doors also help to cut down on those rising energy bills.

If you are thinking about taking out a home equity loan or remortgage to take care of some much-needed home repairs, give our expert Mississauga mortgage broker team a call and we’ll find the best options for your needs.