JANUARY 07, 2015

Winterize your Condominium Home.

Maintenance tips for the winter months

The holidays are over, decorations have been put away and visiting family and friends have returned to their daily routines….. It’s that time of year again, when many of us flee the frigid temperatures and head to warmer climates.

While the condominium lifestyle has a lot of benefits, (warm amenities to enjoy so close to home, underground parking, security), there are still certain maintenance responsibilities you have to attend to before you can confidently lock your front door and take off.  And these homeowner maintenance tips are  important for every resident, whether they have left for a season or own a home they are not currently living in.  Whether you are present or not, your home still requires attention and it is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure it is properly cared for.

For those who appreciate a checklist to help them prepare:

If you are only going away for a week or two, remember to:

1.  Turn your water off at the Main Water Shut Off Valves.  This will help prevent any problems that might arise from a water leak in your absence and may help mitigate costly repairs upon your return.

2.  Reset your thermostat.  Turning your thermostat down a few degrees (about 20 degrees Celsius) will still keep your suite warm enough and conserve energy usage in your absence.

3. Monitor your humidity.  While some humidity is necessary for comfort, too much or too little can eventually have a negative effect. Too much humidity leads to condensation and is usually visible on your windows first. Excessive condensation can result in damage to your windows, drywall and flooring. Too little leads to gaps in all of the wood products in your home and can effect your fine art and furnishings.  Ensure that you leave some opening in your drapes or blinds to allow circulation around the windows.  This will help to prevent a build-up of moisture on the window panes.

4.  Inform the Property Management Office.  Your Property Management office may have a form for you to complete to record the dates of your vacation, how they can reach you in case of an emergency and the contact information and the name(s) of trusted people with permission to handle any issues or enter your suite while you are away.

5. If you have a fan coil unit, do not turn it off.  It should remain active during the winter months at the previously noted set point (20 degrees Celsuis).  Also, remember to check the fan coil filter; a clogged filter prevents proper air flow and will reduce the amount of heat in your home and reduce the life span of your motor.

6.  Make sure your windows and doors are closed.  A common winter emergency is a burst pipe due to insufficient climate control (like a forgotten open door or window or shut off fancoil unit) that causes a plumbing pipe to freeze and burst, resulting in costly water damage to you, and possibly your neighbors’ homes that you may be responsible for and we do not want that to happen to you.

7. Unplug all electrical appliances such as your TV, DVD, clock radio, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, etc.  In addition to being a fire safety procedure, unplugging appliances will save energy and reduce possible damage in the event of power surges.

For longer absences, in addition to the above, it’s a good idea to take the additional steps:

1.  Stop or forward your mail at the Post Office and cancel any newspaper or magazine deliveries.  You can arrange to have your mail forwarded to a temporary residence or designate someone you trust to pick up your mail in your absence or hold it until your return.

2. Make arrangements to have someone you trust visit and check on your suite. At least once a week, someone should visit your home to turn on your water and run the shower and faucets, flush the toilets, and check the general condition of your suite, and then to turn the water off again before they leave.  This can help prevent or mitigate problems in your home.  Remember, whether you’re home or away, each homeowner still has a responsibility to mitigate damages.  Also, you should check with your insurance provider, as many insurance policies have guidelines regarding holiday or vacation coverage for your home.

And the simplest way to ensure a worry free vacation is to speak with your Property Management office before embarking on your trip.  They can offer valuable advice and information to help you prepare for your time away.

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