The single highest-return upgrade
An automatic water shut-off valve on your main line. It monitors flow and closes the supply when it detects a pattern consistent with a leak — continuous flow at 3am, for example. Installed cost is roughly $400 to $900, and it routinely converts a five-figure loss into a mop and a bucket.
Monthly
- Pour a cup of distilled vinegar down the HVAC condensate access tee during cooling season
- Look under every sink with a torch — you are checking for mineral crust and dampness, not puddles
- Check the water heater pan and the area around the base
- Run water in rarely-used fixtures to keep sewer traps full
Seasonally
- Spring: clear the HVAC condensate line with a wet vacuum and test the float switch
- Spring: clean gutters and confirm downspouts discharge at least six feet from the foundation
- Summer: check attic for condensation, staining and compressed insulation
- Autumn: inspect roof flashing, vent boots and sealant before storm season ends
- Winter: insulate exposed pipes in attics and exterior walls ahead of freeze events
Annually
- Flush the water heater and inspect the sacrificial anode after year five
- Test the sump pump with a bucket of water and check the backup battery
- Inspect and reseal caulking at tubs, showers and window perimeters
- Have the sewer lateral camera-inspected if the property has mature trees
- Walk the crawl space or have it inspected for standing water and vapour barrier condition
Replace on schedule, not on failure
| Component | Replace at |
|---|---|
| Rubber washing machine hoses | 5 years — or switch to braided stainless now |
| Water heater (tank) | 10-12 years, sooner if attic-installed |
| Toilet supply lines and angle stops | 8-10 years |
| Refrigerator ice maker line | 5-7 years, use copper or braided |
| Shower pan liner | 20-25 years, or at any sign of ceiling staining below |
| Sump pump | 7-10 years |