Toronto - As leaves fall and temperatures drop in Ontario, the arrival of autumn transforms not only the outdoors but also how we live in our homes.
With the changing seasons bringing cooler temperatures, people often adjust their daily routines—spending more time indoors, making use of cozy living spaces, and paying extra attention to insulation and drainage to keep their homes warm and dry.
“Now is the time to prepare for the changing weather and doing some routine maintenance is one way to help protect your new home,” says Peter Balasubramanian, President and CEO of Tarion, the independent consumer protection organization that administers Ontario’s new home warranty program. “A good fall maintenance plan will give you peace of mind as the seasons change.”
All newly built homes in Ontario come with a comprehensive seven-year warranty provided by the builder and backstopped by Tarion, and seasonal maintenance is an important preventative measure that will help keep your home and its systems functioning properly and reduce the likelihood of weather-related damage.
Here are some fall maintenance tips for inside and outside your home:
Inside Maintenance
Check the seals on your windows and exterior doors and apply caulking for possible wear and tear damaged areas to prevent water penetration or heat loss.
- Replace worn weather-stripping on your exterior doors to keep warm air from seeping out of your home.
- Clean all your exhaust fans, including dryer vents, stove vents, and furnace vents.
- Clean or replace your furnace filter.
- Consider having your humidifier, furnace and (heat recovery ventilator) HRV serviced.
- Test all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are in good working order.
- Check the basement, crawl spaces, and your attic for possible leaks or moisture build-up.
Outside maintenance
- Remove any leaves and debris from your eavestroughs and clear your downspouts.
- Shut off your exterior water supply, Thoroughly drain all exterior water lines and hoses to protect against water freezing and damaging the water supply line.
- Check exterior finishes on your home for signs of deterioration, such as peeling paint or loose siding.
- Check the garage door tracks.
Tarion is here to support new homeowners in a variety of ways, including encouraging purchasers of a new home to register your purchase with Tarion to protect your investment and receive confirmation on deposit coverage. You can find more resources, information, and helpful tips at www.tarion.com.
About Tarion
As an independent not-for-profit organization established by the provincial government, Tarion provides Ontario’s new home buyers and owners with peace of mind that their purchase is safeguarded through the province’s new home warranty and protection program. Tarion supports consumer protection by providing free tools, guides and resources to help homeowners understand their builder’s warranty and navigate warranty claims with confidence. When a builder does not meet their warranty commitments, Tarion offers guidance to help homeowners ensure they receive the coverage they are entitled to, and, when necessary, steps in to help resolve warranty claims. Learn more: https://www.tarion.com/.
For media requests, please contact:
Andrew Donnachie
media.inquiries@tarion.com