Being a homeowner comes with challenges and responsibilities. The First Nation Housing Department shares that responsibility with you. On this page, you’ll find tips and checklists to help you make home maintenance a priority. You and your community will benefit from well-maintained homes that last longer and are healthier places to live. You’ll also learn how to identify day-to-day home repairs. It almost always costs less money to find and repair problems before they get out of hand.
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Bathrooms and Water Efficiency
Nearly 75 per cent of all water used in the home is used in the bathroom, and wasted water is money down the drain. With new water-saving devices, bathroom water use can be reduced by as much as 50 per cent with little or no change in lifestyle. A water-efficient toilet (6L or less) uses up to 80 per cent less water than a regular toilet, and dual-flush toilets offer even greater water savings. An efficient showerhead (9.6L/minute) reduces water use by more than 60 per cent with no loss of performance.
Tile is the best choice for bathroom flooring, as it is durable and easy to keep clean and dry. Carpets are not recommended because they retain moisture, which encourages mold growth. For walls, a water-based, semi-gloss paint is washable, durable and brightens a room. Look for a low pollution emission paint, also called low-VOC or zero-VOC. For caulking around bathroom fixtures, special low-odour fungicide-free silicone caulking is available.
Bathroom ventilation is essential for controlling humidity and odours. The bathroom can be linked to an integrated house venting system, or a quiet fan (one sone or less) can vent air directly outside.
Fall Maintenance Checklist
Fall is a good time to perform routine home maintenance, as you transition from the warmer months to using your home’s heating systems. Follow the checklist below for maintenance activities that should be performed annually.
Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and security systems. Replace batteries as needed.
Have your furnace or heating system serviced every two years for a gas furnace or every year for an oil furnace (or as recommended by the manufacturer).
If you have a furnace fan belt installed, disconnect the power to the furnace and examine belt for wear, looseness or noise. Clean fan blades of any dirt buildup.
Turn the gas furnace pilot light ON (if your furnace has one), set the thermostat to heat and test the furnace for proper operation by raising the thermostat setting until the furnace starts to operate. Once you have confirmed proper operation, return the thermostat to your desired setting.
During the heating season, check your furnace air filters each month and clean or replace them. Ventilation system filters, such as a heat recovery ventilator, should be checked every two months.
Check to see that the ductwork leading to and from the heat recovery ventilator is in good shape, that the joints are tightly sealed (aluminum tape or mastic) and any duct insulation and plastic duct wrap is free of tears or 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, check that you are getting good airflow by observing the outside vent hood — the exterior damper should be held open by the airflow.
Vacuum the electric baseboard heaters to remove dust.
Remove the grilles on forced-air systems and vacuum inside the ducts.
Check chimneys for obstructions such as nests.
If you have central air conditioning, make sure the drain pan under the cooling coil mounted in the furnace plenum is draining properly and is clean.
Cover air conditioning units that are exposed to the outdoors and shut off power.
Lubricate the circulating pump on the hot water heating system.
Bleed air from hot water radiators.
Check sump pump and line to ensure proper operation, and to make sure there are no line obstructions or visible leaks.
Drain and store outdoor hoses. Close interior valve to outdoor hose connection and drain the hose bib (exterior faucet), unless your house has frost-proof hose bibs.
Have your well water tested for quality. It is recommended that you test for bacteria every six months.
If you have a septic tank, measure the sludge and scum to determine if the tank needs to be emptied before the spring. Tanks should be pumped out at least once every three years.
If applicable, clean your portable humidifier and change the filter.
Replace window screens with storm windows.
Remove interior insect screens from windows to allow the heating system to reduce condensation and to allow more free solar energy into your home.
Make sure windows and any skylights close tightly. Repair or replace weather-stripping, as needed.
Make sure all doors to the outside shut tightly, and check other doors for ease of use. Replace door weather-stripping if required.
If there is a door between your house and the garage, check the adjustment of the self-closing device to make sure it closes the door completely.
Ensure that the ground around your home slopes 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.
Winterize your landscaping — store outdoor furniture, prepare gardens, and protect young trees or bushes for winter.
First Nation On-Reserve Housing Program
Housing is the foundation for strong and healthy communities, and the Government of Canada is actively working with First Nations to increase the supply of safe and affordable housing. Overcrowding and inadequate housing are of particular concern on-reserve. Inadequate housing poses health and safety risks, creates an unhealthy growing environment for children, and is linked to several health and social problems.
