Not annual. But yes — preventative maintenance schedule beats the alternative every time. After fixing a thousand small problems that became big problems, here’s the priority list we share with our own family members.
Once a year
- Roof inspection (binoculars from the ground, or drone). Look for lifted shingles, exposed nails, granule loss in gutters. Spring is best after winter damage.
- HVAC service (furnace + AC). $150-200 saves $4-8K replacement when failure mode is preventable.
- Gutter clean — twice if there are mature trees. Overflow at the soffit causes most basement water damage we repair.
- Caulk audit: bathroom grout lines, kitchen sink edges, exterior window/door seams. Recaulk where flexed or cracked.
- Smoke + CO detector battery + test. End of daylight saving is the conventional reminder.
Every 3-5 years
- Re-seal grout in showers and high-traffic tile floors.
- Exterior paint touch-up where wood meets weather (deck railings, soffit fascia).
- Dryer vent professional clean — fire risk from lint accumulation, especially with long duct runs.
- Sump pump and battery backup test under load.
Every 10-15 years
- Hot water tank replacement (rental units swap automatically, owned tanks fail around 12-15 years).
- Asphalt shingle roof replacement (architectural shingles last 20-25, three-tab 15-18 in Toronto climate).
- Window seal replacement on double-glazed units when fogging appears.
When you should call a contractor regardless of age
Cracks wider than 3mm in foundation walls. Floor sloping. Doors that suddenly stop closing. Brown stains spreading on ceilings. Persistent mould smell. These are not painting problems — they’re symptoms of something behind the finish that needs eyes on it.