Winter Household
Maintenance


For homeowners, winter is a quiet period when it comes to outdoor home maintenance. However, the cold season is the ideal time to do all those little indoor jobs that were set aside while the weather was warmer. Therefore, here’s a list of the main maintenance jobs that should be done in the months of December, January and February.

Insulation
  • Pay special attention to your home’s doors and windows, as they’re some of the chief sources of air infiltration into house during winter. To evaluate their efficiency, hold a tissue near them on a windy day. If the tissue flutters, cold air is getting into the house. Install weather stripping on the outside edges of doors and windows. Check that the doors and windows close properly before installing the weather stripping. For even more efficiency, you can cover the windows with plastic film that will prevent all air infiltration. You can also improve front door insulation with a strip that insulates the door bottom.
  • Examine all electrical outlets and switches located on “cold” walls, or in other words, walls facing the outside. If you detect cold air, remove the plastic covers and install insulation foam pads specially designed for this purpose.
  • A simple and quick way to reduce your heating bills consists of insulating your hot water pipes by wrapping them in sheathes or insulating tape. And while you’re at it, why not improve your water heater insulation by wrapping it with a cover? Make sure that you leave the access panels and drain valve uncovered.
  • If you’re basement is unfinished, check its insulation efficiency. It’s easy and inexpensive to add or replace fibreglass insulation or polystyrene (styrofoam) if needed.
  • While your water heater’s life expectancy is estimated at ten years, you can easily double that with regular and thorough maintenance. To prolong its life, keep the water temperature at 120 degrees F. This will help to minimize damage to the reservoir. Cut off the electrical supply and drain the tank, and don’t forget to clean the safety valve. By emptying the reservoir at least once per year, you’ll prevent corrosion from forming. To reduce electricity costs, why not place a thermal cover on the heater?

    Heating
  • Because they automatically reduce the home’s temperature at night and when you’re absent, programmable thermostats are an efficient way to reduce your heating costs. Easy to program, they produce better comfort for the occupants because they maintain uniform temperature in the house. We suggest that you opt for type 5-2 or 5-1-1 models that support different program settings for weekends and weekdays.
  • Due to its key role in the winter, the furnace must be the subject of regular maintenance. The simplest task, but also the most important, consists of replacing the filter. Before you perform this task, be sure that you stop the oil supply and turn off the electric supply. Because it traps dust, pollen and other air-borne particles, ideally, the filter should be cleaned or replaced every season or at least once per year. To know if you should replace or clean the filter, remove it carefully and hold it up to the light. If most of the light is blocked, it should be replaced.
    Do a visual inspection of the furnace burner. The flame should come up to a blue point. If the flame is yellow, orange, asymmetrical or gives off a lot of smoke, there’s a problem with the burner. Immediately call a furnace specialist. Have him inspect the fuel tank. Pay special attention to possible fuel leaks, to the oil level indicator, the filter, the filling pipe, etc.

    Ventilation
  • Install one or more ceiling fans in the house. These fans are very useful in the winter, as they push warm air down and assure better warm air circulation. Don’t forget to inverse blade rotation so that they turn to the right. If you already have ceiling fans, tighten the screws to reduce operating noise and improve solidity. If your ceiling fan isn’t balanced, you can adjust the blades to correct this situation. There are weights on the market designed to solve this problem.
  • To obtain better air quality, it’s essential that the kitchen and air exchanger fans are kept clean. In the winter, you should clean your air exchanger filter on a monthly basis. To perform this task, turn off the unit’s electrical supply and remove the filter. Soak it in a mixture of vinegar and water and let it dry before reinstalling. For the kitchen ventilator, regularly clean the filter to prolong its lifespan. Wash the filter in soapy water and rinse well before reinstalling. It’s also a good time to remove the dust and wash the bathroom ventilator cover.

    Humidity
  • Use a hygrometer to measure the humidity level in the house. The humidity level should be between 30% and 55%. Excess humidity, generally found in the basement, the bathroom and the kitchen, causes an increase in pollutant concentrations, which causes harmful effects to people suffering from asthma or respiratory problems. To correct this problem, try to improve house air circulation and don’t forget to turn on the air removal ventilators. If the problem persists, use a dehumidifier.
    Low humidity levels are generally present in homes heated with wood, oil and particularly electricity. Levels less than 30% can cause dry skin and throat and even aggravate skin allergies. The best way to increase humidity is by using a humidifier. If you choose this solution, regular unit maintenance is very important. Replace the water daily and disinfect the container every three days with soapy water and chlorine bleach.
  • Take the time to inspect those areas most exposed to high humidity levels. Do you notice mould on the walls, ceilings, lighting units or the cold water pipes? If so, you should get rid of it immediately. Mould is caused by excess humidity, combined with a lack of ventilation. As well as causing material damage, it can also cause health problems to the home occupants. When cleaning mould-covered surfaces, always wear rubber gloves. Use a non-perfumed cleaning solution and wash with a clean, humid cloth. Dry it immediately. If the covered surface exceeds the area of a plywood sheet, it’s better to give the cleaning job to a specialist. To avoid the reappearance of mould, improve the room ventilation and eliminate all sources of humidity.

    Repairs and improvements
  • Take advantage of the cold, snowy days to do various indoor home projects. Because of their cost, ceramics are an investment that must be protected with maintenance and repairs. If you notice that the grout is coming away from damaged tiles, you must quickly correct this problem as the surface below the tile can be damaged by humidity or water infiltration. Remove the old grout with the help of a hammer and chisel specifically designed for this job. Apply the new grout with a trowel. If one or more of the tiles are damaged, you should replace them. To do this, start by removing the grout, then carefully break up the tile. Remove the exposed cement residue. Apply new cement on the tile and place it in the cleaned space. Finish by re-grouting after 24 hours.
  • In the bathroom, carefully examine the caulking around the bath, the shower and the sink. Joints that are fissured or show signs of wear should be re-worked to avoid water infiltration that can cause damage to the walls and the house structure. Remove the existing caulking with a caulking scraper, making sure to protect the tile and porcelain surfaces with masking tape. Using a screwdriver for this job is strongly discouraged, as it can damage the enamelled tub, sink or toilet finishes. Apply the new caulking and smooth the joint with a wet finger to obtain a uniform finish.
  • While its preferable to keep big painting jobs for the spring or fall, winter is tailor-made for retouching jobs. Identify the damaged surfaces that need work. Pay special attention to wall mouldings and door casings that are easily damaged. Use a fine brush to do the retouches. Attention: avoid painting weather stripping and sealants around doors and windows, as paint will cause them to dry and diminish their efficiency. Instead, lubricate them with products that are made for this purpose.
  • Why not re-examine the house’s interior décor? Are you satisfied with the atmosphere that exists in each room? Do you have the impression that some rooms lack life and character? If this is the case, you should know that it’s easy to brighten up a room. Re-locate the furniture in the room and add decorative objects such as paintings or lamps. As well as being very practical, the addition of an audio-video centre can considerably enhance your family room’s appearance. Also consider the addition of mouldings, a simple operation that can produce astonishing results. Let your imagination go and don’t hesitate to get advice from experts.
  • If some nails have worked loose, it’s usually due to the wood becoming dry. Fortunately it’s an inconvenience that’s easy to correct. Firmly press the drywall sheet against the uprights and insert a 2-inch screw just below the nail, making sure to bury the screw head. Because it’s threaded, a screw will be less prone to work its way out of the wall. Then, it’s a simple matter of driving the nail back in, applying plaster, sanding smooth and re-painting the surface.

    Faucets
  • To lower water consumption and save a fair amount of money, equip the shower with a low-flow showerhead, with or without an adjustable spray. You’ll reduce your water consumption by about 50% and this without changing your habits in the least! There’s also a multitude of accessories on the market such as water retention and displacement devices that will increase your old toilet’s efficiency. If you feel that it’s time to replace the entire unit, select a low-flow model.
  • Do the rounds of the different faucets and sanitary devices in the house to determine if they’re leaking. In the case of faucets, the problem generally lies in a worn gasket that must be replaced. In the case of toilets, leaks are generally attributable to a poorly seated tank valve. Also free bathtub, shower and sink drains that are partially blocked.

    Smoke detectors
  • For security reasons, make sure that you have at least one smoke detector per floor. First check the state of the batteries by pressing the test button. Then, check that the unit works by snuffing out a candle or a match near the unit.
  • If you don’t already have one, equip your home with a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. CO is an odourless and colourless gas that can be lethal. It comes from such sources as wood stoves, fireplaces, propane gas burners or even cars left idling in a garage. The increased security supplied by a carbon monoxide detector largely outweighs the investment.
  • More and more homes are equipped with fire extinguishers. But make sure that the model you select is capable of extinguishing all types of fires. For the kitchen, use a BC model. The extinguisher should be located at the kitchen entrance and be easily accessible. For all other rooms, an ABC model is ideal.

    Snow removal and de-icing
  • To reduce the risks of falling and for safety reasons, keep your entrances and walkways shovelled and ice-free. You can use salt to melt ice or other products that don’t damage surfaces. To avoid damage, remove excess snow and ice accumulations from heat pumps and gutters.
  • Excess snow and ice can damage a roof in the winter. If you can get rid if ice and snow while keeping your feet on the ground, go ahead. Otherwise, call a professional roofer, as this type of work can be perilous, particularly when you don’t have the right tools. You can also damage your roof. To prevent ice accumulations near the eaves or in the gutters, use heating cables designed for this contingency.

    Christmas decorations
  • At the beginning of December, inspect your Christmas decorations and replace all damaged items. Also replace burnt bulbs. Do an inventory of what’s left. If you’re planning to increase your decorations this year, don’t wait till the last minute to go shopping, as these items fly off the shelves quickly! If you’re planning to install outdoor lights, use the right extension cords to prevent electric shock and circuit overload risks. For indoor lighting, avoid overcharging the extension cords.

    By taking advantage of the winter period to maintain your home interior, you’ll give yourself more time to embellish your home exterior during the other seasons. _____________________________________________

    *Thanks to Rona.ca