If you live in Vancouver, then you know one thing for certain – it rains a lot!
This means that homeowners in “Raincouver” need to take more steps than most to make sure their homes are prepped for wet weather.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide of home maintenance tips specifically for Vancouver’s damp climate.
Contents
Top 7 Maintenance Tips For Homes In Vancouver
Here are our top 7 tips for ensuring your home is ready for rainy weather!
1. Check and replace caulking
An essential part of your home maintenance checklist should be sealing up any gaps in your home’s caulking. If rain gets in, it could cause damage and lead to costly repairs.
Check the caulking around your doors and windows, and any entry points for cables and pipes. If you notice any missing or damaged sections, seal them up with a suitable caulk.
2. Clean out your gutters
Another important house maintenance tip, particularly in the fall, is to clear your gutters of any debris. If they’re blocked up, then water is unable to flow freely through them.
When this happens, water can seep into your eaves, roof, and even the ceiling. This can cause dampness inside your home and possibly structural damage, leading to expensive home repairs.
3. Inspect your roof
In Vancouver’s rainy climate, even a small amount of roof damage is likely to result in annoying leaks. This means that inspecting your roof is a vital part of your home maintenance schedule.
The main things to look out for are:
- Damaged metal flashing around chimneys and vents and in roof valleys
- Cracked ridge shingles
- Curled or missing shingles
- Accumulations of granules in your gutters which suggest the roof coating is eroding
If you notice any of these things, hire a roofer to repair them as soon as possible.
4. Inspect your heating system
You may have noticed that it tends to get a bit chilly in Vancouver, and the last thing you want is for your heating system to fail during a cold snap. So, one of your home maintenance tasks should be arranging an annual inspection of your boiler.
If you have a separate water heater, then you’ll need to get this checked too. If you have a combi boiler, then you won’t have a separate water heater.
During the inspection, the professional should check the:
- Heat exchanger
- Thermostat
- Safety switches
- The state of the flue gases
They should also inspect the filters and replace them if necessary. Plus, they’ll need to clean the burners and check they’re operating correctly. If your home as an HRV system then the filter should be replaced regularly as recommended by the manufacturer. Your air conditioning unit / heat pump filter should also be replaced regularly.
5. Prepare your faucets for icy weather
During the winter months, there’s a risk your outside faucets (sill cocks) could freeze. This can lead to burst pipes which could damage your entire plumbing system.
To prevent this, add the following steps to your home maintenance checklist:
- Close the shut-off valves that serve the outside faucets.
- Drain the line by opening the outside faucets.
- Wait until the line is fully drained and then close the faucets.
6. Test your carbon monoxide detectors
This might not be in keeping with our focus on tips for rainy weather but no home maintenance checklist would be complete without it. Carbon monoxide detectors are an essential safety feature of every home so you need to test them once a month.
Most detectors have a “test” button you can use to do this but the testing process can vary between models. So, check the instruction manual and follow the guidelines.
If a detector isn’t working, replace the batteries. If it’s still not working, replace the entire unit.
7. Keep a monthly home maintenance checklist
Our last tip is to create a home maintenance checklist that you complete once a month.
This should include all the tips on our list as well as others like inspecting your air conditioning system, testing your garage door opener, and making sure the dryer vent on your clothes dryer is working properly.
Regular home maintenance is the best way to keep your home warm, dry, and safe, and to avoid the need for any emergency repairs. So, make sure you go through your checklist every month!
Maintenance Tips For Your Home – FAQs
What’s the best way to clean gutters?
This depends on the severity of the clog. If your gutter is lightly clogged, use a ladder (with someone securing it at the bottom), put on some gloves, and scoop out the debris. Then, flush the gutter with a hose.
If your gutters are heavily clogged, you’ll most likely need to use a power washer. Just be careful when using it so that you don’t cause any damage to the gutters.
What if my heating system is making strange noises?
If you notice your heating system making unusual noises, don’t wait around for your annual inspection. Contact an engineer and have them inspect it as soon as possible.
Wrapping Up
In Vancouver, rain is a foregone conclusion. That’s why it’s important that you follow the home maintenance tips in this list to keep the water out and the warmth in. Remember to stick to a monthly schedule to avoid any damage and expensive repairs for your custom home.
