Continuous, preventative maintenance of your home can save untold dollars and headaches. Some home inspectors suggest that 1-3% of the value of your home should be put aside annually for maintenance. Monitoring of systems that wear out as well as general structural monitoring can catch problems before they become major and costly.
Ideally, structural inspections should be performed in the spring and fall. Some systems such as heating should also be monitored in the spring and fall - others should be checked more frequently.
If you feel that your home requires a lot of maintenance that has been neglected for too long, you might want to start by having a registered home inspector go through your home from top to bottom. A report would indicate what should be taken care of and the degree of urgency. To find an accredited inspector contact the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors at www.oahi.com.
Many homes in the Ottawa area built in the late 60's and early 70's contain aluminium wiring. This type of wiring requires a particular type of maintenance and should not be neglected. For more information on aluminium wiring you might want to check various sites on the internet. One site I find particularly informative concerning all aspects of aluminium wiring is www.inspect-ny.com/aluminum.htm.
Furnace: No matter what type of system you have - gas, oil, water or electric - it is advisable to have an expert clean and inspect your furnace annually. Call early so that you are not waiting until you are well into the heating season for this service. If you have a conventional forced air system, filters should be checked monthly and cleaned or replaced as required.
Chimney(s): Check for loose or deteriorated mortar or bricks. Metal chimneys should be checked for rust, integrity of caulking seal and loose braces. Chimney caps and flashing should also be inspected. Depending upon usage and type of fuel, your chimney may require cleaning annually.
Fireplaces & Wood Stoves: Clean at least once a year. Pay particular attention to creosote build up in chimneys and flues. Make sure that combustibles are nowhere near the fireplace or wood stove. If there is any doubt about safety, contact an expert.
Windows & Doors: Repair or replace broken or cracked glass panes. If you have storm windows, install them. Remove any screens and store them. Do a draft test. Caulk and weather strip. Make sure window wells are clear and keep snow away from them.
Gutters and Downspouts: Check gutters for leakage or debris. Clean and repair as required. Downspout seams (usually against the wall) should be checked for splits where debris can accumulate and the downspout destroyed if freezing occurs. Make sure downspouts are extended well away from the foundation. A minimum of 6 feet is recommended.
Landscaping: Check the grading of the ground around your home. When snow melts, you want to avoid water accumulating next to your house, possibly resulting in water infiltrating the basement. Add topsoil where needed to help direct water away from your foundation. Make sure that trees or vines haven't started growing from seed near your foundation or that planted trees are not growing larger too close to the foundation or roof.
Soffits & Facia: Inspect for loose or rotted areas. Replace any rotted wood and make sure the paint is in good condition. Look particularly for holes where pests could infiltrate the attic. Remove or trim any vines that reach this area.
Roofs: Check for loose, missing or damaged shingles. Special attention should be paid to high wear areas and areas exposed to the south and west where more weather damage is likely to occur. Flashing should also be checked. Repairs should be done as required and any tree branches too close to the roof should be cut to prevent damage. Any branches hanging too close to power and cable lines (if you have them) should be trimmed away.
Foundation: Exposed walls should be checked for cracking and deterioration. If the ground has separated from the perimeter of the house fill the gap.
Water Pipes: Any exposed pipes should be properly insulated. Drain and turn the water off to any exterior faucets. Don't forget taps in the garage.
Snow & Ice: If you don't remove snow yourself, set up a removal contract early. If you use a snow blower, have it tuned up or repaired. Stock up on rock salt. Kitty litter provides great traction in weather that is too cold for salt to be effective.
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors: These devices save lives but only if they function properly. Test them often.
Storm Preparedness: Check your supplies. Make sure you have candles, matches, a flashlight, battery operated radio and lots of batteries. Store enough food to get by for at least a few days. The ice storm we all experienced a few years ago was very nasty and any kind of storm can hit at any time.
Cooling Systems: A qualified technician should inspect your air conditioning or heat pump annually. Call early to avoid being caught without protection when the temperature soars.
Attics: The spring is a good time to check the underside of the roof sheathing. Look for watermarks, rot, mildew or fungus and evidence of pests. Check the insulation and vents. Insulation should be dry and vents should not be obstructed. Watch for evidence of pests. Check to make sure that the rafters are strong and solid.
Windows & Doors: Remove any storm windows. Check screens for holes or tears. Hose down the screens to remove dust and pollen before reinstallation.
Drive Ways and Walk Ways: Check for deterioration, cracks and settling. Make sure that these and all areas slope away from the house to avoid the possibility of water problems in your basement or foundation. Settled steps and uneven paving can pose a safety hazard to pedestrians.
Garages: Inspect for evidence of movement. Automatic garage door openers should be tested and adjusted to reverse. Ensure that floor drains are clear and the slope of the floor is to the outside to avoid water accumulation.
-- Disclaimer --
This is not meant to be a complete list of all required home maintenance. It is simply a compilation of the most common and pressing problems based on my experience as a real estate sales representative and homeowner.
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One of the nicest things about Blackburn Hamlet is that most children can walk to school. For many home buyers, this fact is a significant factor in deciding to make this community their home.
From preschool to high school and beyond, there is a place for your child. Whether you want your child in french school, english school, french immersion, public, catholic or an alternate school, they're all here.
Schools within Blackburn Hamlet: (click on the internet address to connect for more information)
Blackburn Hamlet Preschool
Glen Ogilvie Public School
Good Shepherd Catholic School
Ecole Ste. Marie
Emily Carr Middle School
Ecole Secondaire Publique Louis-Riel
Norman Johnston Secondary Alternate Programme
Schools outside the community:
Colonel By Secondary School
Gloucester High School
Canterbury High School
St. Matthew Catholic High School
Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
University of Ottawa
Carleton University
Ottawa and Area Schools:
The people of Ottawa and the surrounding areas are truly blessed with some of the best schools in Canada.
A variety of programmes for all types of children are available within the Ottawa Schools Systems. Whether a child is in a gifted programme, disabled, English, French, etc. there is a place for all our children at all levels of education.
To find a school that is right for your child, check the following web sites:
Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
Ottawa-Carleton Catholic District School Board
Conseil des Ecoles Publiques de l’est de l’Ontario
Conseil des Ecoles Catholiques de langue francaise du Centre-Est
Conseil Scolaire de District Catholique de l'est Ontarien
Ontario Federation of Independent Schools
Post Secondary Education is also available in Ottawa making it possible for many children to remain home while attending University or College.
The University of Ottawa/Universite d’Ottawa
Carleton University
Saint Paul University/Universite Saint-Paul
Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology