January Home Maintenance Checklist
As we get back into the swing of things after the holidays, there’s more than taking down the festive ornaments on your home maintenance list! Whether or not the tree is down, we advise you take action this month and tackle the
Alberta New Home Warranty January to-do list to ensure your home is performing the way it should!
Seal All Granite Countertops
Granite is highly resistant to chips and scratches but is porous and should be treated every six months with a sealer to prevent staining. Acid from citrus fruits can etch some natural stone surfaces and may require professional services to restore. To clean any of these countertops, use a soft cloth and a mild soap. Consult the manufacturer of your countertop for specific care instructions.
Apply Grout Sealer To All Grout In Home
All grout is porous and can stain. Sealing grout and maintaining the seal will greatly reduce discolouration. Ensure you choose a sealer compatible with your tile and know how to properly apply. This is suggested every other year.Check & Test CO Detector Batteries
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas. You can’t see, taste or smell it. CO is a common by-product of the burning of natural gas, gasoline and solid fuels (wood, pellets, etc.). Fireplaces that are properly installed, maintained and operated will produce little CO. However, if anything disrupts the venting process (such as a bird’s nest in a chimney) or restricts the oxygen to a gas burner, CO production can quickly rise. Make sure you read the owner’s manual for your CO detector, so you know what level of CO your model is capable of sensing. You should also know what your CO detector alarm sounds like.
Check & Test Smoke Detector Batteries
Test your smoke detectors monthly by pressing the ‘test’ button. An American study found that when a home smoke detector fails, it tends to fail totally as opposed to a creeping failure (e.g. loss of sensitivity over time). Regular testing will find a faulty detector quickly and ensure your family is protected.
Clean Range Hood Filters
Kitchen range hoods are an important part of your home’s ventilation system. They remove odours and improve indoor air quality. Cooking also generates significant airborne moisture which can cause window condensation and mould. A range hood helps draw this moisture out of the home. Filters in the throat of the hood must be kept clean to keep your fan running efficiently and quietly. Some range hood fans are interconnected with the operation of the furnace fan. To ensure this feature continues to work, you must keep the sensor located in the throat of the hood clean. Maintenance or replacement of filters should be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Most kitchen exhaust fans have sealed bearings and do not require lubrication.
Clean Humidifier
Over time, the repeated evaporation of water will leave mineral deposits in the humidifier. Dust circulating through the furnace will also deposit in the humidifier. This debris can create a breeding ground for various types of mould and bacteria so it’s important to clean the humidifier on a monthly basis. A number of anti-scale products can simplify the cleaning process. If the unit has a float valve, make sure it opens and shuts down the flow of water to maintain the desired water level (unit will have a water line indicator). During the spring and fall, relative humidity levels can be set around 40 per cent but should be adjusted to 20 per cent during the coldest winter days. If ice or excessive condensation appears on your windows, reduce the humidity even more.
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