Fall Maintenance

Fall maintenance is important to do before the cold weather comes. There are some fall maintenance jobs that if not done before the cold weather will have to wait till the spring and can end up costing you money in heating costs and major repairs.
Call The Ancaster Handyman for your Fall Maintenance check. I will check your property and do all that I can in one hour. At the end of one hour I will give you a list of the things you should get fixed before the cold weather arrives and we can schedule a time to get it all done.

Check for cracked calking around windows and doors.
Check foundation for cracks or holes where rodents can enter your home and have them filled.
Have furnace filters and heat exchange filters replaced or cleaned before the heating season and once a month during the heating season.
Clean portable humidifier, if one is used.
Change the humidifier drum on your furnace.
Disconnect the power to the furnace and examine the forced-air furnace fan belt, if installed, for wear, looseness or noise; clean fan blades of any dirt buildup.
Check chimneys for obstructions such as nests.
Vacuum electric baseboard heaters to remove dust.
Remove the grilles on forced-air systems and vacuum inside the ducts..
Check to see that the ductwork leading to and from the heat recovery ventilator is in good shape, the joints are tightly sealed (aluminum tape or mastic) and any duct insulation and plastic duct wrap is free of tears and holes.
If the heat recovery ventilator has been shut off for the summer, clean the filters and the core, and pour water down the condensate drain to test it.
Check to see that bathroom exhaust fans and range hoods are operating properly. If possible, confirm that you are getting good airflow by observing the outside vent hood (the exterior damper should be held open by the airflow).
Replace batteries and check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms.
Check sump pump and and discharge line to ensure proper operation.
Replace window screens with storm windows.
Clean windows
Remove interior insect screens from windows to allow air from the heating system to keep condensation off window glass and to allow more free solar energy into your home.
Ensure windows close tightly; replace weatherstripping, as needed.
Ensure all doors to the outside shut tightly, and check other doors for ease of use. Replace door weatherstripping if required.
If there is a door between your house and the garage, check the adjustment of the self-closing device so that the door closes properly.
Cover outside of air-conditioning units and shut off power.
Ensure that the down pipes from your eavestrough take the water far enough away from the foundation wall, so that water does not drain into your basement.
Clean leaves from eavestroughs and roof, and test downspouts to ensure proper drainage from the roof.
Drain and store outdoor hoses. Close interior valve to outdoor hose connection and drain the hose bib (exterior faucet)
Cover or store outdoor furniture, rake leaves and prepare flower beds for winter.
empty the bird bath and put away for the winter.
Get snow blower out and check that it is working and the battery is charged.
Put away the lawn mower for the winter.

About the Author: Stan The Ancaster Handyman

My name is Stanley McCall. I was born in Scotland and came to Canada when 11 years old. Growing up in Brantford my mother instilled in me the importance of having a career. I decided after working my summers in factories that I would rather work with my mind than labour in factories all my life. Because of that decision, I went to Mohawk College to get a career in Mechanical Design Drafting. I found that I have a skill for understanding design issues and designing solutions in my mind then conveying that on paper so that it could be built. Throughout my career, I have designed food processing equipment, case packaging equipment, paper mills, sawmills, printing presses and steel mill equipment. I ended my career working for a global consulting engineering company checking the designs and drawings of junior engineers who had engineering degrees but no experience conveying their designs on paper so that it could be built. While I was pursuing my career I raised a family, renovated three houses and did over 20 years of volunteer work as a director in charge of the maintenance of Mount Forest Camp. Unable to retire to a rocking chair in 2014 I started my business as The Ancaster Handyman. Many people have said to me that it is hard to find a good handyman. I decided that I would be a good handyman and that it would be easy to find me and know that you have found a good handyman. To accomplish this I would have to be a good handyman, get lots of reviews and testimonials in as many places as possible on the internet so that no matter where people found me on the internet they would know that they have found a good handyman. Someone with integrity who they could trust to do a good job and could rely on to give them sound advice. Proof that I have accomplished this is seen in the fact that I have been recognized by Trusted Pros to be the best handyman in Ancaster for three years now. I am also a lifetime member of ACHP (The Association of Certified Handyman Professionals". I am Ancaster's only Certified Profesional Handyman. To be a member of ACHP you have to be committed to running an ethical business. If I say I can do a job you can trust me to do a good job. If I didn't feel I could do a good job I would refer you to someone else. If you want a cover-up job so that you can sell your house you have found the wrong handyman. I do not do cover-up jobs. My reputation and membership in ACHP is too important to risk over making a quick buck.

905-818-1162

The #1 Choice for Home Repair & Maintenance