January Home Maintenance Checklist
I wish I could show you the varying degrees of cleanliness and condition we encounter on our daily property visits. It’s not uncommon for our Milton real estate agents to have a ceremonial sock burning after a day of showings.
While everyone is different, and for some, clutter and chaos are their sanctuary, for most, comfort and cleanliness prevail. The difference between the two can be challenging to achieve if you’ve neglected it for a very long time. However, once you catch up, the difference boils down to small amounts of effort regularly. Much of which becomes habitual and second nature. That’s why we’re putting out a year’s worth of home maintenance via monthly blogs.
Each month, we’ll focus on things that often go neglected, turning easy preventative maintenance into expensive reactive repairs. Let’s jump into January’s list, and, if you have suggestions to add, please comment below to get the conversation going.
Since we’re spending more time indoors this time of year, here are some easy tasks to tackle in January.
Clearing Drains
Our real estate agents in Milton often find that a common finding during home inspection is slow-draining sinks. It’s one of those “I’ll deal with it later” problems we frequently run into. Hair, soap scum, and everyday debris quietly build up over time, leading to clogs and unpleasant smells. The good news? This is a quick fix.
If you address this early, you will avoid a large plumbing bill and the need to use harsh chemicals. Remove the plug from each sink. You can usually accomplish this by unscrewing it or removing a screw-on cap under the sink. You’ll find it where the drain lifter rod connects to the back of the drain pipe. If the latter, unscrew it, pull the rod out, and the plug will free, allowing you to lift it out. Once you get it out, it will be self-explanatory how you put it back in. There’s usually a large hole at the bottom where the rod slips in before screwing on the cap again.
Next, grab debris with your fingers or pick up a drain stick from your local hardware store. After clearing the drain, pour a kettle of boiling water down to flush it clean. Make sure you’ve screwed on the cap for the lifting rod first, or water will come out of that hole. There you go, a ten-minute fix saved you from a $300 plumber’s invoice.
Household Filters
When was the last time you changed the water filter in your refrigerator or cleaned the vacuum filter? January is National Filter Replacement Awareness Month (for us, anyway). When it comes to your health and indoor living conditions, there’s not much higher on the list than the air you breathe and the water you drink.
Here’s a list of areas you may find a filter in. Leave a comment if you can think of anything we’ve missed!
Portable Humidifiers – Some humidifiers have cleanable or replaceable filters -go ahead and tackle that quick fix. If yours does not have a filter, you likely have a build-up of calcium and mineral deposits inside, so take it apart and go at it with a brush and cleaning vinegar.
Vacuum – Not only will you extend the life of the vacuum when you run it, but it also recirculates air. The dirtier the filter gets, the less efficiently it cleans the air that passes through it. Make sure you let the filter completely dry before using it again, or it will smell musty and need to be replaced.
Fridge water & ice dispensers – Many people forget that their fridge even has a water filter! If you’re not keen on the added expense of replacing the filter and you’re comfortable drinking tap water, Amazon and other retailers sell dummy filters for most refrigerator brands. This replaces the filter, allowing water to flow freely and preventing you from having to replace it ever again.
- Whole-Home Humidifiers – If you have one, also called a central humidifier, you’ll find a filter inside. Water passes through the filter, and air is then blown through, adding moisture to the air throughout your house. One of the best ways to prevent winter colds is to maintain proper relative humidity in the house. A general rule of thumb is to be in the 40% to 50% range, but that range varies with the temperature outside. The filter in your humidifier can sometimes be cleaned, but replacements can also be purchased, sometimes in bulk, for a reasonable cost. This is typically a once-a-year type of thing.
Window Condensation
Between the warm, humid air inside and the cold, dry air outside, you’ll most certainly find condensation along the bottom sill of your windows and creeping up along the outside edges. Left alone, this water can freeze, compromising the integrity of the windows and leading to mould growth. Here are our top tips to prevent mould growth and maintain your windows over the winter months:
- Remove all window screens and store them for the winter season. This will allow for air to flow more freely, preventing the likelihood of mould growth and reducing condensation build-up.
- Outside of evening hours, when you may want more privacy, avoid keeping window coverings closed. This will assist with airflow as well as allow the sun to assist in warming the house.
- Keep a few rags on hand and give your windows a quick wipe when you’re passing by
Check the Smoke and CO Detectors
Did you know that the Ontario firecode has been updated, effective January 1st, 2026, to retroactively require all homes to have CO detectors adjacent to all bedrooms and a minimum of one on each level? You’ll want to read the code to familiarize yourself with it more precisely, but this is a no-brainer, even if it wasn’t the law. At properties we visit, our team of Milton Realtors often finds faded yellow smoke detectors. We often find ourselves recommending clients to replace them before selling. Not only does it look bad and convey the house’s age, but it’s also not safe!
This is a good time of year to test your smoke detectors and replace them if they’re expired or lack CO detection. A general rule of thumb is that these should be replaced every 7 years… although many manufacturers say 10, for the cost, it’s a worthwhile investment. If you don’t know how old yours are, most have a date around the outer edge, or you can remove the smoke detector by rotating it counter-clockwise and detaching it from the base-you should see a build or expiry date on the back.
Cycle Water Shut-Offs
When was the last time you reached under your bathroom sink and cycled the shut-off valves to the hot and cold water lines? If it has been a while, you may need a pair of pliers! Water shut-off valves, whether ball valves or turning valves, will cease with lack of use. The ceasing could also damage the valve, causing water to leak. The last thing you want is a valve you can’t shut off in the case of an emergency. This task is EASY, which is why we left it for last. Simply go to all of your plumbing fixtures and turn the secondary shut-off valves off and then back on; you may need to do it a few times if they’re tight. Don’t forget the main shut-off for your house; that one’s extra important. Here’s a list of places to check:
- Inside of each bathroom vanity
- Kitchen sink and secondary sinks in your kitchen
- Laundry tub
- Washing machine
- Dishwasher
- Primary waterline to the house (usually found in your mechanical room, or nearby to)
There you have it; a little January home maintenance goes a long way toward keeping your home comfortable, efficient, safe, and problem-free all year long.
As always, if you’re in the market to buy a house or sell real estate in Milton, Oakville, and the surrounding areas, our team of agents would be happy to sit down for a zero-obligation, free discussion and consultation about where to start, and how to ensure your next move is a successful and enjoyable one.
