Home maintenance checklist for Ontario

Home upkeep in Ontario follows the seasons: water and drainage in spring, cooling and the outside of the house in summer, closing up for the cold in fall, and keeping heat in and water moving through winter. This page lists what to do every month, each season and every year, with a guide for the bigger jobs and a cost guide when you'd rather hire it out. It follows Tarion's seasonal checklists for Ontario homes, with Ontario's own rules added where they apply.

Every month

• Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with the test button.
• Check and reset the GFCI outlets (the ones with test and reset buttons).
• In the heating season, check the furnace filter. Natural Resources Canada says to change it if it has been more than three months, or as often as your furnace's manual says.
• In winter, check the humidity. Tarion puts the healthy range at 30 to 45%.

Spring (March to May)

March

• Clean or replace the furnace filter, and vacuum the dust out of the vents.
• Clean the HRV, if you have one, and wash or replace its filter.
• Check the attic, basement and crawl space for leaks or damp.
• Check that the sump pump is discharging. See the sump pump guide.
• Clear snow and ice from the roof overhang and vents.

April

• Check the eavestroughs and downspouts for debris. See the eavestrough guide.
• Check the roof for loose or cracked shingles.
• Look for frost damage on the driveway and walks.
• Check the water heater for leaks.
• Turn the outdoor water back on.
• Plan any landscaping so soil doesn't settle and water doesn't pool against the house.

May

• Check the caulking around windows and doors, and lubricate the weatherstripping.
• Look for peeling paint, loose siding and cracks on the outside of the house.
• Check that windows and screens work.
• Inspect fences.
• If you have a septic system, have it checked and cleaned if needed.

Summer (June to August)

• Check that the air conditioning works, then clean it and clean or replace its filter.
• Check the roof shingles and flashing, and that chimney caps are sealed.
• Check the garage door tracks and lubricate the bearings.
• Check the seals around windows and doors for air or water leaks.
• Check the water heater for leaks.
• Check or clean the exhaust fans.
• Air out a damp basement on dry, sunny days.
• Check the driveway and walks for chips and cracks, and doors and locks for a good close.

Fall (September to November)

The fall jobs get the house ready for the cold. Our winter guide walks through each one.

September

• Have the furnace, humidifier and HRV serviced.
• Inspect the fireplace and chimney dampers, and clean them if needed.
• Clean and test the clothes dryer vent.
• Check the garage door tracks, caulking and the outside of the house.
• Check the basement or crawl space for leaks or damp.

October

• Shut off the outdoor water supply and drain the outdoor lines.
• Clean the eavestroughs once the leaves are down.
• Check the roof, shingles, flashing and vents.
• Check weatherstripping and the seals around windows and doors.
• Clean or replace the furnace filter, and clean the HRV.
• Clean the water heater, following its manual.
• Line up snow clearing. See the snow removal guide.

November

• Check the attic, basement and crawl space for leaks or damp.
• Make sure each floor drain's trap has water in it.
• Check for condensation and the humidity level.

Winter (December to February)

• Keep the furnace and water heater vents, air intakes and gas and hydro meters clear of snow.
• Keep any space with water pipes above 8°C, including when you're away (City of Toronto).
• If heavy ice builds up on the roof, have a professional clear it.
• Keep the humidity between 30 and 45%, and run the bathroom fans and range hood.
• Test the sump pump: pour a pail of water into the pit and watch it switch on. Premier Plumbing suggests a quick test every month.

Every year, or every few years

In an emergency

A pipe bursts. Turn off the main water supply right away. Find the shut-off now: it has a wheel or a lever, and may be in the basement, a crawl space or outside.

A pipe freezes. Open the basement cold tap, then warm the pipe with a hair dryer, heating pad or warm towels. Never use a torch or any open flame. If there's still no water after a few hours, call a licensed plumber. The winter guide has the full steps.

The CO alarm sounds. Get everyone out right away, then call 9-1-1 from outside.

Guides and cost guides

Show as a table

Topic	Guide
Getting ready for winter	Get your home ready for winter in Ontario
Furnace	Furnace replacement cost in Ontario
Water heater	Water heater: rent or buy in Ontario
Sump pump and backwater valve	Sump pump and backwater valve cost in Ontario
Eavestroughs	Eavestrough cleaning cost in Ontario
Snow removal	Snow removal cost in Ontario
House cleaning	House cleaning cost in Ontario