Edmonton's climate is one of the most demanding in Canada for homeowners. With temperatures that swing from -40°C in winter to +35°C in summer, your home takes a beating year-round. The good news? Most of the damage is preventable - if you stay on top of regular maintenance.
This checklist covers the most important maintenance tasks for each season. Some you can handle yourself. Others are worth calling a professional for. Either way, staying ahead of these items will save you money, stress, and major repair bills down the road.
"Most major home repairs are preventable. The key is catching small problems before they become expensive ones."
Spring Maintenance Checklist
Spring is your most important maintenance season. After months of freeze-thaw cycles, your home needs a thorough inspection to catch any damage before it gets worse.
Exterior
- ✓Inspect your roof for missing, cracked, or curled shingles - binoculars work fine for this
- ✓Check all exterior caulking around windows, doors, and where different materials meet
- ✓Inspect your foundation for new cracks - hairline cracks are normal, wide or horizontal cracks are not
- ✓Clean your eavestroughs and downspouts - make sure water is draining away from your foundation
- ✓Check your deck or patio for loose boards, popped screws, and signs of rot
- ✓Inspect your driveway and walkways for frost heave damage
Interior
- ✓Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors - replace batteries if needed
- ✓Check under sinks and around toilets for any signs of slow leaks
- ✓Inspect your water heater for rust, corrosion, or unusual sounds
- ✓Clean your dryer vent - lint buildup is a leading cause of house fires
- ✓Check your HVAC filter and replace if needed
- ✓Look for any water stains on ceilings or walls that might indicate a roof or plumbing leak
Fall Maintenance Checklist
Fall is your last chance to prepare your home for Edmonton's brutal winter. Don't skip this one.
Exterior
- ✓Clean eavestroughs after leaves have fallen - clogged gutters cause ice dams
- ✓Inspect and re-caulk around all windows and doors
- ✓Disconnect and drain garden hoses - shut off exterior water supply
- ✓Check weatherstripping on all exterior doors and replace if worn
- ✓Inspect your roof again before snow arrives
- ✓Have your chimney cleaned and inspected if you use a fireplace
Interior
- ✓Have your furnace serviced - don't wait until it breaks down in January
- ✓Replace your furnace filter
- ✓Test your thermostat to make sure it's working properly
- ✓Check insulation in your attic - proper insulation prevents ice dams and reduces heating costs
- ✓Inspect pipes in unheated spaces (garage, crawl space) for insulation
- ✓Test all smoke and CO detectors again
When to Call a Professional
Some of these tasks are straightforward DIY jobs. Others - like anything involving your electrical panel, gas lines, or structural issues - should always be handled by a professional.
If you're not sure, err on the side of caution. The cost of a professional inspection is almost always less than the cost of a repair gone wrong.
Home First Solutions handles many of the maintenance tasks on this list - from caulking and weatherstripping to fixture replacements and drywall repairs. If you'd rather hand off the list and know it's done right, get in touch for a free quote.