If you’re the owner of a newly built home, you’ll want to ensure that your home stays strong, safe and well-kept – especially after the impact of winter snow, ice and wind. But before you dive into your maintenance duties, understand which tasks you can do yourself versus when you’ll need to hire a professional.

Use this checklist to get a head-start on your home maintenance tasks yourself:

Gutter and downspouts: Clear eavestroughs of debris and extend downspouts so that water is directed away from your home. Water that flows around the foundation could find its way into the basement.

Sealing around windows and doors: Fix caulking if it is cracked or separated.

AC and Furnace: Clean or replace your furnace filter, check air ducts, and remove covers and vacuum dust from vents.

Heat Recovery Ventilator: Check and clean the heat recovery ventilator or HRV (found next to your furnace); wash or replace the filter as necessary.

Humidity levels: Clean your humidifier and check for condensation and proper humidity levels inside your home.

Driveways and walkways: Inspect for any signs of frost damage that may have been hidden under snow.

When it comes to completing tasks that require more technical knowledge, advanced skills or proper equipment, consider hiring a professional. Here are a couple of examples:

Inspecting and cleaning for mould: Examine the basement, attic and crawl spaces for leaks or moisture. If there are musty smells and odours, this is often an indicator that there is a hidden moisture problem that will need to be addressed immediately.

Roof inspection: Ensure the roof is inspected by a professional to determine whether roof shingles, flashing and chimney caps have made it through the winter in good condition and are properly sealed.

If you are an owner of a newly built home or condominium that is less than seven years old, household maintenance can be essential in protecting your new home warranty. Find more information, including tips at Tarion.com.