Home maintenance tasks to tackle in August
By Newinhomes on Jul 24, 2018
Can you believe July is almost over? We hope you’ve had a great summer so far! A few common summer activities for Greater Toronto Area families include going to Canada’s Wonderland, relaxing in cottage country, and spending weekend afternoons on Toronto Island. It’s all good and fun, but have you paid any attention to the summer home maintenance you should be doing?
In July, Tarion Warranty Corporation recommends airing out damp basements, cleaning your air conditioner, checking exhaust fans, checking your water heater for leaks, checking and resetting your ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), and testing your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
If you haven’t done any of the above, get on it! And here’s a to-do list for August:
Clean the air conditioner filter
The GTA has been hit hard with a couple heat waves this summer, so we’re guessing your air conditioner has been working overtime. In order to maintain good air quality and ensure your unit doesn’t get overworked, check your filter in August. If it’s extremely dusty, consider getting a new filter.
Air out damp basements
On humid days, your basement can get damp, which can cause mildew to develop. When we have a nice, dry, sunny day in August, open your basement windows and air it out. This will help prevent mildew from forming and will also make for a more comfortable living space.
Inspect driveways and walks
A combination of extreme summer heat, rain, and yard work can cause damage to your driveway and walks. Do a thorough inspection of all your walking and driving surfaces to ensure cracks aren’t forming. If you have cobbles or brick, make sure no stones have come loose, which can cause people to trip, twist their ankle, or lead to an even more serious injury.
Inspect doors and locks
The summer heat can actually warp your door and/or door frame, which can prevent your locking mechanism from working properly. Your keys can also be distorted by the heat and constant jostling of everyday use. Make sure these things are working smoothly. If you notice any stiffness or your key is getting stuck, call a locksmith to come take a look.
Check and reset your GFCI
Outlets installed near water in your home will likely have switches on them. They are a safety feature designed to trip when there’s a current imbalance. There should be a Test button and a Reset button. Make sure everything plugged in is turned off and then push Reset. You should do this once a month.
Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
This is another common monthly task. Check your alarms and detectors to make sure the batteries are charged and they are working properly.
Once all these are out of the way, go ahead and enjoy the rest of summer!
