Care & Maintenance
Seasonal Maintenance Calendar
Updated 3 min read
The short answer
Calgary's four distinct seasons each present different challenges for home carpentry. Spring is for inspection and repair after winter. Summer is for exterior work and finishing. Fall is for winter preparation. Winter is for interior maintenance and planning. A month-by-month calendar ensures nothing is missed and maintenance happens before damage occurs.
Month-by-month maintenance
| Month | Priority | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| January | Interior | Check humidity level (target 30–35%). Run humidifier. Check for condensation on windows. |
| February | Interior | Inspect trim joints — any gaps appearing are seasonal movement. Do not fill until spring. |
| March | Interior | Test sump pump. Check basement for moisture. Inspect under-sink cabinets for leaks. |
| April | Transition | Open windows for ventilation. Check weatherstripping on exterior doors. Inspect window seals. |
| May | Exterior | Full exterior inspection: trim, deck, fence, pergola. Check for winter damage. |
| June | Exterior | Clean and re-stain deck if needed. Seal any exposed end grain. Tighten deck fasteners. |
| July | Interior | Deep clean cabinets. Tighten all hardware. Adjust any doors that have shifted. |
| August | Exterior | Inspect and repair exterior paint. Check caulking around windows and doors. |
| September | Fall prep | Clean gutters. Inspect roof edges. Check attic ventilation. Service humidifier. |
| October | Fall prep | Close and store outdoor furniture. Cover or store cushions. Final deck inspection. |
| November | Interior | Turn on humidifier. Check door alignment (will shift as humidity drops). |
| December | Interior | Check for ice dams. Monitor indoor humidity. Plan spring projects. |
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Seasonal priorities
- Spring (March–May)
- The most important season for inspection. After a long winter, check every trim joint, door alignment, cabinet hinge, and exterior surface. This is when winter damage becomes visible and when repairs are easiest to make.
- Summer (June–August)
- The season for action. Exterior painting, staining, deck maintenance, and any construction project. Warm temperatures and long days provide the best conditions for finish work and outdoor carpentry.
- Fall (September–November)
- Preparation season. Seal gaps, check weatherstripping, clean gutters, service the humidifier, and ensure the house is ready for winter. The work done in fall prevents the damage that appears in spring.
- Winter (December–February)
- Interior season. Monitor humidity, check for condensation, plan spring projects. Do not fill trim gaps in winter — they will close in spring. Use this time for planning, not repairs.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
- What should I check every month?
- Three things every month: check the humidifier is running and the humidity level is 30–35%, test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and visually inspect the most vulnerable areas (under sinks, around windows, at deck connections). This takes 15 minutes and catches most problems early.
- When should I re-stain my deck?
- Test in spring: sprinkle water on the deck surface. If it beads, the stain is still working. If it absorbs within seconds, it is time to re-stain. In Calgary, most decks need re-staining every 2–3 years. June is the ideal month — warm enough for the stain to dry, before the heavy-use summer season.
- Do I really need to check my deck ledger every year?
- Yes. The ledger board — where the deck attaches to the house — is the most common point of deck failure. Water gets behind the ledger, rots the house rim joist, and the connection weakens silently. A five-minute visual check from below each spring prevents the most dangerous deck failure mode.
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