Home repairs and maintenance

Perhaps you’re a first-time homeowner or have recently moved into a new home after years of home ownership. Or, you may still be renting and preparing for a home purchase soon. Either way, you’ve most likely encountered some maintenance and repairs related to your home.

Home repairs and maintenance are essential parts of homeownership. They are something that you should plan and budget for before and when owning a home. Just like anything that is used, your property goes through wear and tear over the course of its lifetime.

However, you may not need to do maintenance or repairs right away. Some house fixtures and mechanical equipment take several years before you need to replace them, while others may need a yearly check to maintain.

You may be thinking, “what if I bought a newly-built home?” Major home repairs and maintenance may not be needed for the first few years but eventually, you’d have to tackle these after some time. It’s an extra budget to consider, but understanding what they are or when to maintain them will help you avoid bigger repairs and headaches in the future.

The following are some examples of major home repairs and maintenance to look out for in your home:

Roof

Your roof shingles protect your home from the changing of seasons. As the weather constantly changes from hot to cold and back again, your roof shingles can deteriorate. This may eventually cause leaking or insulation problems. Sometimes you will be able to replace a small section of the roof, whereas other times you may have to replace the entire roof, depending on the extent of the wear and tear.

New roof shingles typically last between 15-30 years, or in some cases even longer, depending on the type of shingles you use (asphalt, metal, concrete, etc.). There are some typical signs to check for which can indicate you may need to change your shingles:

• Curling (edge of roof shingles turning up)
• Holes
• Any damaged parts of the shingles.

Windows

Windows are one of the essential parts of your home’s insulation. They provide comfort by trapping warm air during the cold season and cool air during the warm season.

Over time, they also go through wear and tear due to the external environment which can cause “leaks'' in the windows. This creates poor insulation in the home which can also lead to increased gas and electric bills as your house produces more energy to compensate for the loss of warm and cool air. As well with poor insulation, window leaks can allow water to get into your house or in between the walls. And any pool of water that remains unchecked can create a breeding ground for mould. And no one wants that in their home.

Windows should be routinely checked for air leaks or any physical damage. Things to look for are:

• Damaged frame or windowpane
• Fogged windows
• Cold or warm air infiltrating side window panes

If you find some problem areas, there are some things you can do before you dig into your wallet for a new set of windows. You can caulk or use weatherstripping to reseal the window. If you have wood frames on the outside of your window, a fresh coat of paint can also prevent rotting. If you need new windows, they will last you 15-20 years, so if you intend to stay in your house for the long-haul it could be a worthwhile investment.

Water heater

If your home is suddenly not getting hot water, it might be an issue with your water heater tank. A water heater is responsible for heating up the water in your home - for showering, washing clothes and dishes, and cleaning of any rooms. Typically, water heaters use gas or electricity to heat up water and can last a long time of up to 6-12 years. This will depend on a variety of tank types that range from tankless water heaters, heat pumps, gas storage pumps to solar water heaters.

A yearly maintenance check can help extend the life of your water heater and catch problems early. You can do so by seeking professional help from an HVAC technician and they can do the maintenance for you. Sometimes, they would do something simple such as replacing parts or in some cases, a whole new replacement of a tank. It’s always recommended to check the nameplate of your water heater tank to know more about its details and contact information for any maintenance.

HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)

Your HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system keeps your home at a comfortable temperature and can help improve the air quality in your home. With proper maintenance, it can also save electric bills and prevent major damage that can be hefty in your budget.

Due to its many components, it’s a good practice to have an HVAC technician service and check your system at least once a year. This service maintenance is typically done in the spring before the hot season or in the fall, before the winter cold starts.

As a homeowner, there are some simple preventive maintenance activities you can perform to keep your HVAC system working efficiently. This includes:

• Changing of the furnace air filter every 3-6 months (depending on your filter and manufacturer recommendation)
• Clearing and cleaning of supply and return vents of lint and dusts
• Routinely checking your thermostat batteries are charged
• Clearing and cleaning of dirt and debris around the heater and air conditioner

If you see any corrosion, leaks, or issues with hot or cold air, it may be a sign that your HVAC system needs repair or parts replacement by an HVAC technician.

Minor repairs and maintenance

There are also minor repairs and maintenance you may need to perform depending on the wear and tear of your home. Typically they are ‘minor’ in the scale of repair and cost but if neglected, can become major damages.

These minor repairs and maintenance include:

• Cleaning of roof gutters
• Caulking of washroom tiles, kitchen countertop, doors, and windows
• Replacing or tightening loose door knobs
• Polishing and coating your floors, especially high traffic areas
• Replacing the toilet or toilet flapper
• Repainting of walls
• Landscaping your backyard and frontyard
• Sealcoating the driveway

How to know when to change or repair home mechanical equipment

It would really depend on the condition of the property and its mechanical equipment. Typically, newly built homes will have brand new hardware and equipment so you may not need immediate repairs or maintenance. However, it’s always good to check the manufacturer’s labels (on equipment such as water heater tanks and HVAC) to be aware of the recommended maintenance schedule.

For re-sold properties, often you'll need to know how old the property is and when the last major repairs or renovations were made. This can be found in the inspection report of the property when you bought it. By then, you can cross-check it with its physical condition (and how it is working) to see if any repairs or maintenance are needed.

As a good rule of thumb, routine maintenance and checks are always helpful to prevent any major or sudden damages to your home hardware.

Planning your repairs and maintenance

Unexpected repairs and maintenance can be challenging (and costly) if you haven’t planned for it. On the bright side, you can reduce these challenges by planning ahead of time. These include the following:

• Schedule the maintenance of your home mechanical equipment and set aside a “maintenance budget” for each of them. For example, contacting your water tank heater manufacturer about the cadence of its maintenance or scheduling to change HVAC air filters every 3-6 months can be a good starting point
• Understand what you can do yourself (DIYing) versus hiring professional help when doing any repairs or maintenance on your property. This will allow you to plan ahead better and help you avoid unnecessary mistakes that can cause bigger problems
• Call your property insurance provider and check any insurance coverages that they can provide depending on your coverage

Understanding the repairs and maintenance of your home can equip you to become a successful homeowner. Having that knowledge not only ensures better living conditions for you and your family but also prolongs the lifetime (and value) of your home.

The information in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be used or construed as real-estate, mortgage, financial or investment advice.