Summer home maintenance checklist for Toronto homes.

Why summer matters

Dry, warm weather is the window for the exterior work that can't happen any other time of year: painting, roof repairs, chimney repointing and wood repair. Indoors, Toronto's humid summers become the risk. Hardwood, millwork, pianos, wine and art all suffer when humidity swings, and basements that stay damp invite mould. Summer is also when families travel, so the house is often empty for weeks at a time.

Your summer checklist

• Humidity and ventilation. Steady indoor humidity protects hardwood floors, millwork, pianos, wine and art, and keeps basements from smelling damp.
• Air conditioning and heat pumps. Change filters and keep condensate lines clear. A blocked condensate line is one of the most common causes of a summer ceiling leak. Heating and cooling
• Exterior painting and wood repair. Dry weather is the window for painting, staining and replacing rotted trim.
• Larger roof and chimney work. Summer suits bigger roof repairs and chimney repointing. Roof repair
• Pool, hot tub and irrigation care. Adjust watering for heat and drought, and keep pool equipment running cleanly. Seasonal landscaping
• Pests and wildlife. Check for wasp nests, carpenter ants, and raccoons or squirrels finding their way into attics and soffits.
• Plumbing fixtures and hoses. Check under sinks, toilet supply lines and washing machine hoses. Ageing rubber hoses are a classic cause of a flood upstairs. Water damage and flooding
• Grading and window wells. Soil should slope away from the house, and window wells should be clear and drained.
• Decks and fences. Look for loose boards, popped fasteners and soft wood, and reseal decks that have turned grey.
• Time away. If the house will be empty for weeks, have someone walk through it regularly. A small leak found in two days is a very different job from one found in twenty.

When to book fall work

Summer is when to book the fall. Roofers, chimney sweeps and heating technicians fill their September and October calendars early, and the homes that get serviced first are the ones that booked in July.

Other seasonal checklists

See all four seasons, or jump to the next one.

A checklist tells you what. We handle the rest.

Every item above sounds simple. The real work is knowing which trade to call, getting them there at the right time, checking the job and keeping a record of it for next season. For Zebrano members, a dedicated Home Manager runs this list for you, with licensed and insured trades we've worked with for up to 20 years, and one invoice. No apps, real people on-site looking after your home.

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