Maintain your Yukon home

Make sure water will not flow toward your foundations before the snow melts. This may include installing a sump pump, or a drainage ditch, or shovelling snow away from your house.

Check and clean the filters on your heat recovery ventilator (HRV) and furnace.

Consult your hot water tank's manual. Check to make sure the pressure release valve is not stuck. A recommended safe water temperature is 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit).

Have your wood stove or fireplace chimney cleaned and serviced.

Install and maintain fire, carbon monoxide and security alarms, that includes replacing batteries. Check to make sure the alarms work.

Turn off gas furnaces or pilot lights where possible as the weather warms.

Clean windows and put up screens.

Get your well water quality tested. We recommend you do this every 6 months. Contact Environmental Health Services to learn more: email environmental.health@yukon.ca or phone 867-667-8391.

Open the valve to your outside hose when there's no risk of frost.

Take steps to keep yourself and your property safe from floods. Check eavestroughs and downspouts for loose joints and obstructions. Make sure these are attached securely to your house and clear them so water flows away from your foundations.

Check for and seal any gaps or holes in your home's exterior. This will prevent pests like squirrels and mice from entering your home.

Avoid basement humidity above 60%. Use a dehumidifier, or adjust your heat recovery ventilator (HRV) to maintain humidity.

Check your basement pipes for condensation or dripping. Reduce the humidity or insulate your cold water pipes.

Check your basement floor drain. Make sure the trap has water in it.

Run water through sinks you don't use often. This will maintain water in the traps.

Deep clean carpets and rugs.

Clean kitchen and bathroom exhaust vents.

Disconnect your clothes dryer. Vacuum your vent and duct.

Check all guardrails, handrails and steps for integrity and strength. Repair as necessary.

Inspect window putty on the outside of glass panes on older houses and replace if needed.

Sand and touch up paint where necessary.

Lubricate door hinges and tighten screws if necessary, including your garage door.

Replace damaged caulking or weather stripping around windows and doors.

Inspect electrical and telephone lines. Make sure these are attached securely where they enter your home. Make sure there is no water leakage along electrical conduits into your home.

Replace, repair or refinish damaged exterior wood siding and trim.

Remove plants and roots in contact with siding or brick.

Check for and repair any problems with your roof cover.

Check and replace damaged caulking around your chimney. Add a biocide conditioner to your fuel oil tank to prevent  condensation.

Repair your driveway and walkways as needed.

Have your furnace serviced by a qualified technician.

Turn your furnace on and set your thermostat.

Check and clean the filters on your heat recovery ventilator (HRV) and furnace.

Lubricate the circulating pump on your hot water heating system.

Bleed air from hot water radiators.

Clean chimneys.

Vacuum electric baseboard heaters to remove dust.

Remove grilles and vacuum ducts.

Examine seals on your heat recovery ventilator (HRV). Test and replace as necessary.

Make sure bathroom exhaust fans and range hoods are operating properly.

Install and maintain fire, carbon monoxide and security alarms, that includes replacing batteries and cleaning chimneys. Check that fire alarms work.

Remove insect screens.

Repair or replace damaged weather stripping on windows and doors.

Make sure the ground around your home is graded to slope away from the foundation wall. This will keep water from running into your foundation.

Clean leaves and pine needles from your eavestroughs and roof. Learn how to keep your property safe from wildfires.

Drain and store outdoor hoses. Close the valve to the outdoor tap.

Get your well water quality tested. We recommend you do this every 6 months. Contact Environmental Health Services to learn more: email environmental.health@yukon.ca or phone 867-667-8391.

Measure sludge in your septic tank and determine if you need to get your septic pumped.

Winterize your landscaping and gardens.

Check your furnace air filters every month. Clean if necessary.

Check your heat recovery ventilator (HRV) filters every 2 months. Clean if necessary.

Consult your hot water tank manual. Drain the water from the clean-out valve to remove sediment from your tank.

Vacuum bathroom exhaust vents.

Vacuum refrigerator and freezer radiator grills and empty drip trays.

Check that fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are functioning. Make a home fire-escape plan.

Check the expiry date on your fire extinguishers and replace if necessary. Make a home fire-escape plan.

Plan and practice your family's emergency escape routes from your home. Make a home fire-escape plan.

Check your basement floor drain and refill the trap with water, if necessary.

Watch your home for excessive moisture levels and correct humidity, if necessary.

Check all faucets for drips. Replace washers if necessary.

Briefly run water through faucets you don't use often. This will maintain water in the traps.

Clean your dishwasher, sink, bathtub and shower stall drains.

Test plumbing shut-off valves to make sure these work and prevent seizing.

Examine windows and doors for cold air leaks. Replace doors or windows or add weather stripping as necessary.

Examine your attic for ice accumulation and roof for icicles. If there is frost and ice build-up plan to retrofit your home.

Keep snow clear of walkways, basement windows, gas appliances and electricity meters.

Watch your outside vents and chimneys. If there is ice build-up on any part of your heating system, contact a certified professional.

Check electrical plugs and and cords you will use for seasonal lighting and block heaters. Replace frayed or worn cords and plugs and cords that get hot with use.