Home Maintenance Guide for Ontario Homeowners: The Seasonal Checklist

Why maintenance is part of owning, not extra to it

Owning a home is one of the biggest investments you can make. Regular maintenance protects the property, prevents expensive repairs, improves energy efficiency, maintains comfort and safety, and preserves the home’s value.

Ontario homes face particular challenges through the year — freezing winter temperatures and ice dams, summer humidity, heavy rain, snow, and the constant expansion and contraction that comes with large seasonal temperature swings.

This guide is organized by system rather than by month, so you can see what to maintain, when it matters, what warning signs to watch for, and when it is time to call a qualified professional.

Furnace and heating system

One thing about a furnace is specific to Ontario and is not in the manual: a high-efficiency furnace vents through a plastic pipe out the side wall rather than up a chimney, and drifting snow or an ice build-up over that intake will shut the furnace down, usually in the coldest week of the year. Clear it after every heavy snowfall, along with the hot water tank’s vent if it exits the same wall.

Watch for unusual noises, frequent cycling, weak airflow, uneven heating, unusual odours or unexpectedly high energy bills. Any of those is a reason to call rather than wait.

• Replace or clean the furnace filter according to the filter manufacturer’s instructions.
• Keep furnace vents and registers unobstructed.
• Keep the area around the furnace clear.
• Have the heating system professionally inspected as appropriate.
• Check that your thermostat is operating correctly.
• Make sure combustion and exhaust vents are unobstructed.
• Monitor unusual noises, smells or changes in heating performance.
• Keep carbon monoxide alarms operational.

Air conditioner

Your air conditioner works hard through an Ontario summer and should be prepared before the cooling season rather than during it.

Watch for poor cooling, unusual noises, water leaks, ice on the unit, weak airflow or short cycling.

• Replace or clean filters as required.
• Keep the outdoor condenser clear of leaves and debris.
• Keep vegetation from obstructing airflow.
• Check the condensate drain.
• Keep indoor vents unobstructed.
• Have the system professionally serviced when appropriate.

Water heater and plumbing

Water damage can become one of the most expensive home-maintenance problems there is, and almost all of it starts small.

On the hot water tank, check regularly for signs of corrosion on the tank, leaks at the connections, the condition of the temperature and pressure relief components, drainage around the tank, the age of the unit, unusual noises, and any change in your hot-water supply. Learn where your main water shut-off valve is located before you have an emergency, not during one.

On the plumbing itself, inspect faucets, toilets, under-sink plumbing, washing-machine connections, dishwasher connections, exposed pipes, floor drains and shut-off valves. Never ignore a small leak. A minor leak can eventually cause structural damage, mould or other expensive problems.

Sump pump

For many Ontario homes with basements, the sump pump is a critical part of the home’s water-management system, and it is the one piece of equipment that only reveals a fault at the worst possible moment. A sump pump failure during heavy rainfall can result in significant basement water damage.

• Test the pump periodically.
• Make sure the pump turns on automatically.
• Check the discharge pipe.
• Make sure the discharge area remains clear.
• Consider a backup pump or backup power solution where appropriate.
• Check the sump pit for debris.

Roof and attic

Your roof is your home’s first major defence against rain, snow, ice and wind. Inspect it periodically for missing shingles, damaged shingles, curling or lifted shingles, damaged flashing, damaged vents, moss or excessive organic growth, signs of water infiltration and deteriorated chimney flashing.

Monitor the attic too, because that is where roof problems announce themselves first: moisture, condensation, mould, damaged insulation, daylight entering through unexpected areas, and poor ventilation.

One caution that matters more than any item on the list: roof work can be dangerous. Use a qualified professional when the inspection or the repair requires working at height.

Eavestroughs and downspouts

Blocked gutters cause water to accumulate around your foundation, which is how a five-minute job becomes a structural one. This is especially important in spring and fall.

• Clean leaves and debris.
• Check for leaks.
• Make sure gutters are properly secured.
• Ensure downspouts are connected.
• Keep downspout discharge away from the foundation.
• Check that water flows freely.