Maintenance and Repairs

March 19, 2021 Published by North Alberta Chapter

A Spring Maintenance Schedule for Condos

A regular schedule of seasonal maintenance can put a stop to the most common and costly problems, before they occur. If necessary use a camera to take pictures of anything you might want to share with an expert for advice or to monitor or remind you of a situation later.

This article previously appeared in the Superior Region Condo News, published by the CCI Northwestern Ontario Chapter

A regular schedule of seasonal maintenance can put a stop to the most common and costly problems, before they occur. If necessary use a camera to take pictures of anything you might want to share with an expert for advice or to monitor or remind you of a situation later. By following the information noted here, you will learn about protecting your building and how to help keep it a safe and healthy place to live.lf you do not feel comfortable performing some of the maintenance tasks listed below, or do not have the necessary equipment, for example a ladder, you may want to consider hiring a qualified person to help you.

While most maintenance is seasonal, there are some things you should do on a frequent basis year round in your individual unit:

• Make sure air vents indoors and outside (intake, exhaust and forced air) are not blocked by snow or debris. Check and clean range hood filters on a monthly basis. then cause the reset button to pop up. If there are young children in the home, make sure electrical outlets are equipped with safety plugs.
• Regularly check the home for safety hazards such as a loose handrail, lifting or buckling carpet, etc.
• Vacuum bathroom fan grill.
• Vacuum fire and smoke detectors, as dust or spider webs can prevent them from functioning. Remember: Smoke detectors need to be replaced every 10 years.
• Vacuum radiator grills on back of refrigerators and freezers, and empty and clean drip trays.

Monitor your home for excessive moisture levels, for example:

• Condensation on your windows, which can cause significant damage over time and pose serious health problems.
• Take corrective action.
• Check all faucets for signs of dripping and change washers as needed. Faucets requiring frequent replacement of washers may require a new faucet to be installed. If you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, such as a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap.
• Clean drains in dishwasher, sinks, bathtubs and shower stalls.
• Test plumbing shut off valves to ensure they are working and to prevent them from seizing.
• Examine windows and doors for ice accumulation or cold air leaks. If found, make a note to repair or replace in the warmer months.
• Have fireplace or woodstove and chimney cleaned and serviced as needed.
• Shut down and clean heating system humidifier, and close the heating system humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning.
• Clean windows, screens and hardware, and replace storm windows with screens.
• Check screens and repair or replace if needed.
• Disconnect the duct connected to the dryer and vacuum lint from duct, the areas surrounding your clothes dryer and your dryer vent hood outside.
• Check security of all guardrails and handrails.
• Check smooth functioning of all windows and lubricate as required.
• Inspect window putty on outside of glass panes and replace if needed.
• Lubricate door hinges and tighten screws as needed.

The seasonal maintenance schedule, presented here, is a general guide for you to follow. The actual timing is left for you to decide, and you may want to further divide the list of items by month:

SPRING CHECKLIST

• Check and clean or replace heating system air filters each month during the heating season. Ventilation systems, for example: heat recovery ventilators, filters should be checked every two months. Have heating/cooling system serviced by a qualified service company as often as necessary.
• Many condominiums have a service contractor to maintain their mechanical systems.
• Clean or replace air conditioning filter (if applicable).
• Open valve to outside hose connections after all danger of frost has passed.
• Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair as required.
• Repair and paint fences as necessary.
• Ensure sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in. Ensure discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain away from the foundation.
• Level any exterior steps or decks which moved due to frost or settling.
• Check eavestroughs and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your building, clear any obstructions, and ensure water flows away from your foundation.
• Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris.
• Undertake spring landscape maintenance and, if necessary, fertilize young trees.