Outside
#1) Check outside lights
Inspect the outdoor lights and replace burnt-out bulbs, broken fixtures or problematic sensors. As Canadians, we tend to hibernate in the winter, but it's important to replace outside bulbs for safety, not just aesthetics.
#2) Don’t rush to turn the outside water on.
One day it’s above zero, the next you’re back in freezing temperatures. That freeze-thaw cycle can lead to water and frozen water in your pipes that can expand and burst pipes. Sometimes pipes near the exterior wall that are poorly insulated are more likely to freeze. After a dump of spring snow, turning off the outside water might be overlooked.
Consider having a frost-free outdoor faucet installed to prevent freezing pipes in your outdoor water line.
#3) Check eaves, gutters and downspouts.
Inspect your eaves and downspouts for damage. Ensure downspouts are pointed away from the house, and eave gutters are clear of debris.
The water table below your house can rise as the snow melts quickly. Protect your home by directing melting water and spring rain away from your foundation.
Repair and ensure everything is in working order before a big melt.
#4) If you have AC, test it early in the season.
Before hot weather comes, test your air conditioning. Your condenser sits on the outside of your home, and often gets dusty, dirty and can trap garbage and leaves inside the unit itself.
You can carefully use a leaf blower or a low-pressure hose to spray dust and debris.
Be careful! The tiny fins, shown below, are easily damaged by bending. Fins bent out of place cause extra stress on your AC and reduce efficiency.
We recommend an annual AC inspection and cleaning to extend the life of your AC unit and catch small problems before they become major problems.
With every plumbing/heating appointment, our technicians perform a home safety inspection, including your air conditioner. We can provide insights or tips during your service call.
Utility Room
#5) Change your furnace filter.
We are coming into allergy season. It’s critical to change your filter more often in seasons when the furnace is used frequently. In Alberta, your furnace is working hard from fall to spring.
Most homeowners do not change their filter as often as they should.
Changing your filter will not only keep the air cleaner but also keep your furnace cleaner and may help extend its life.
Extra dust and debris can interfere with electrical components. Dust on the motor and fan can require the furnace to work harder, losing efficiency, and reducing the lifespan of the furnace.
We recommend an annual inspection and every two years a professional furnace cleaning.
Carefully use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the exposed parts of the furnace. Vacuum the area around the furnace to help maintain furnace cleanliness.
#6) Check the humidifier filter.
The humidifier attached to your furnace is an important component that helps manage humidity in your home. Most furnace humidifiers have a filter (can also be called a water panel or humidifier pad).
As water flows through the filter, it evaporates through the air, leaving behind mineral buildup. If you have hard water in your home, you may need to replace the filter a couple of times a year, ideally, but in most cases, you need to replace it yearly.
Replacement is typically better than cleaning. In some cases, rinsing the filter will damage it. (Rinsing it with vinegar may remove hard water buildup.)
If you need help inspecting or replacing your humidifier filter, call us.
#7) Drain your water tank.
Every year to six months, drain your water tank to remove silt and minerals that settle to the bottom of the tank. This will keep your water cleaner, but also extend the life of your water tank. If you need help, we are here for you.
If you have a tankless water heater, have it inspected and cleaned every year. Most often, tankless water heaters have problems because they are not serviced regularly. Tankless systems often have hard mineral build-up that can reduce efficiency.
#8) Check the anode rod in the water heater.
The purpose of the anode rod is to extend the life of your water heater. Instead of your tank rusting, the anode rod sacrifices itself by attracting corrosive elements in the water and breaking down over time. This protects the inside of your tank, and consequently, protects your tank from corrosion.
If you need help checking or replacing your anode rod, this is a small repair that will save you thousands later and is critical to extending the life of your tank.
#9) Check Water Softener
Check the salt level on your water softener, if you have one.
Water softeners can help extend the life of your appliances by removing some of the dissolved minerals in the water. If you are interested in having a water softener installed, contact us.
Link to the water hardness chart by location in Alberta
#10) Inspect your breaker panel
Carefully inspect your breaker panel using 4 senses.
Touch: Running your finger down the panel. A tripped breaker will usually sit in the middle position—not either ON or OFF. Flip it fully OFF, then back ON to reset it. If it trips again, there may be a problem. Call us, we can help.
Warmth coming from your panel indicates a problem.
Listen: Are there sounds coming from your panel, like buzzing or crackling? This could indicate a problem. Call us!
Smell: If your panel smells of melted plastic or burning, you may have a circuit that is overloading and not tripping. This is a problem! Call us.
Look: Check breakers for burn marks, discoloration or melted wires. If you see something like this, it is a serious problem and needs attention ASAP.
#11) Clear and clean your utility room.
Many homes have a utility room that doubles as a storage room. The danger in this is that reduced airflow can restrict the efficiency of the furnace. Dust and debris in the furnace room can inhibit furnace function in 2 ways: dust clogs airflow and interferes with electronics.
Dust can insulate heat around sensitive electronics or cause them to work harder or overheat. (Dust is an enemy to all electronics; your furnace is no exception.)
Dust can restrict airflow, reducing heat transfer, forcing the furnace to work harder to heat your home. This means using more energy and reducing the efficiency, costing you more. (This also can shorten the lifespan of your furnace, as it works harder to do the same job.)
Remove anything in front of the furnace, particularly near the air intake, the electrical panel, and the hot water tank. 3 feet of clearance is ideal in most situations. In smaller spaces, do not store anything near or on top of the water heater or furnace, and vacuum and dust the area.
If you have a whole-home air conditioner, there must be proper airflow.
Poor airflow can cause the evaporator coil to get too cold. Without enough warm air passing over it, moisture on the coil can freeze, blocking airflow even more. (This is a common problem we come across when servicing AC units.)
A frozen coil reduces cooling even further and can damage the compressor, one of the most expensive parts of the AC.
If you have a modem in your utility room, be sure to place it away from moisture and water sources. Utility rooms can be prone to condensation, leaks, or spills from hot water tanks, valves, furnace drains and floor drains during heavy rain or fast melt. Ideally, place your modem 12-18 inches off the ground. If there are signs of dampness, move it.
#12) Sump Pumps need to be checked and tested each season.
You can test your sump pump by triggering the float by pouring water into the barrel. It is a good sign if the pump turns on and begins to pump water out of the barrel. If it doesn’t turn on, runs slowly, or sounds unusual, it may need servicing. If you need help testing or servicing your sump pump, call us. We recomend having your sump pump inspected every year if your home or neighbourhood has a history of floods.
#13) Inspect the main water shutoff valve
Make sure your main water valve is fully functional and easily accessible. Try turning your main water line on and off. (Knowing where your water line is and being able to turn it off and on could save you thousands of dollars if you have a sudden leak or pipe burst.
Over time, gate valves can seize or leak. We recommend upgrading to a ball valve making turning off water fast and reliable.
Knowing it works can save thousands in case of a sudden leak or burst pipe.
Home
#14) Inspect your window seals/ windows for signs of condensation.
If water is pooling on your window seals, reduce the humidity in your home, and watch for mould. Be sure to clean the affected areas, and do everything in your power to dry out the area to prevent mould or mildew growth.
#15) Check the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Check the detectors to see if they are in working order. Change/ check the batteries for your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every six months. Consider replacing your batteries with a long-lasting battery to improve the safety of your home.
#16) Check for faucet leaks.
Look under the counter to inspect for sink and faucet drain leaks. Leaky faucets often go undetected for months before homeowners notice, and the damage is done. A quick check can prevent water damage to cuboards, and prevent mould and mildew growth.
Inspect your faucets for leaks. Most often, we notice leaks occur with vegetable sprayers and shower wands, which tend to wear out faster than the faucet.
#17) Check for running toilets.
Running toilets often go unnoticed, but quietly waste water and increase your water bill. You can check if your toilet is continually running by adding a few drops of water to the back of the toilet tank.
If the water in the toilet bowl changes colour before the toilet is flushed, you can be certain that your toilet is running. Check every toilet in your house, every 6 months, to catch problems and save water.
If you have a running toilet, we can help! You are not alone; many people have a running toilet and don’t realize it. Because the problem incrementally worsens, many people don’t notice the gradual increase in water and cost on their utility bill.
#18) Check bathroom fans to ensure they are working.
Moisture can create damage in your home quickly, including damage from moisture in the air.
Encourage your family to run a fan in the bathroom after/druing a hot bath or shower. (We recommend running the fan for 25 minutes after.)
Use the vent fan in the kitchen when cooking or boiling water.
Often, people resist running fans when they are loud or squeaky. We recommend updating your bathroom fan to a quieter fan. A fan less than 2 sonnes is less likely to sound obtrusive.
Consider adding a timer to your fan switch or a humidity sensor that will automatically run the fan when it detects moisture in the air.
#19) Inspect main sewer line.
If you live in a home that was built before 1970, or have had a history of sewerline backups, be sure to schedule a camera inspection for your main sewer line.
Read more about the history of sewer pipes in Alberta.
As sewer pipes age, they are often susceptible to root infestations in the pipe, causing major blockages that can lead to sewer backups.
A sewer backup is exactly what it sounds like…sewage draining back into your home instead of flowing through the main drain line. This results in sewage waste returning to the home at the lowest point, often through the basement shower, tub, toilet, or floor drains.
Sadly, most people don’t know there is a problem until it's too late.
(A sewer back-up is disgusting and expensive, and can cause major damage to your home.)
Take preventive action by scheduling an annual sewer camera inspection.
#20) Inspect Laundry Water Line Connections
Often overlooked are the hoses and connections behind your washer. Leaks often go undetected for a long time because they are often hidden.
Check for signs of wear or leaks. Hot water lines are more prone to failure than cold water lines. The heat and repeated expansion and contraction weaken the rubber or plastic hoses and connections, making them brittle or prone to cracking, which accelerates wear.
Cold water lines stay at a more consistent temperature, reducing stress on the material and prolonging the lifespan.
Replacing worn hoses or tightening loose connections can prevent flooding, water damage, and costly repairs.
We recommend upgrading to braided stainless steel hoses, which are more durable and resistant to bursting than standard rubber hoses.