Regular Maintenance
is the Key Inspecting your
home on a regular basis and following
good maintenance practices is the best
way to protect your investment in your
home. Whether you take care of a few
tasks at a time or several all at once,
it is important to get into the habit
of doing them. A regular schedule
of seasonal maintenance can put a stop
to the most common — and
costly — problems, before they
occur. If necessary use a camera to
take pictures of anything you might
want to share with an expert for advice
or to monitor or remind you of a situation
later.
By following the information noted
here, you will learn about protecting
your investment and how to help keep
your home a safe and healthy place
to live.
If you do not feel comfortable
performing some of the home maintenance
tasks listed below, or have the necessary
equipment, for example a ladder, you
may want to consider hiring a qualified
professional to help you.
Seasonal Home
Maintenance Most home maintenance activities are
seasonal. Fall is the time to get your
home ready for the coming winter, which
can be the most grueling season for
your home. During winter months, it
is important to follow routine maintenance
procedures, by checking your home carefully
for any problems arising and taking
corrective action as soon as possible.
Spring is the time to assess winter
damage, start repairs and prepare for
warmer months. Over the summer, there
are a number of indoor and outdoor
maintenance tasks to look after, such
as repairing walkways and steps, painting
and checking your chimney and roof.
While most maintenance is seasonal,
there are some things you should do
on a frequent basis year round:
Make
sure air vents indoors and outside
(intake, exhaust and forced air)
are not blocked by snow or debris.
Check
and clean range hood filters
on a monthly basis.
Test
the ground fault circuit interrupter(s)
monthly by pushing the test button,
which should then cause the reset
button to pop up.
If
there are young children in the
house, make sure electrical outlets
are equipped with safety plugs.
Regularly
check the house for safety hazards
such as a loose handrail, lifting
or buckling carpet, etc.
Have
furnace or heating systems serviced
by a qualified service company
every two years.
Remove
the grilles on forced air systems
and vacuum inside the ducts.
Ensure
all doors to the outside shut
tightly, and check other doors
for ease of use. Renew door weather
stripping if required.
Ensure
windows and skylights close tightly.
Cover
outside of air conditioning units
(if equipped).
Ensure
that the ground around your home
slopes away from the foundation
wall, so that water does not
drain into your crawlspace or
basement.
Clean
leaves from eaves troughs and
roofs, and test downspouts to
ensure proper drainage from the
roof.
Check
chimneys and or fireplace units
for obstructions such as nests.
Drain
and store outdoor hoses to prevent
freezing at the hose bib.
Winterize
landscaping, for example, store
outdoor furniture, prepare gardens
and, if necessary, protect young
trees or bushes for winter.
After
consulting your hot water tank
owner’s manual, drain off
a dishpan full of water from
the clean-out valve at the bottom
of your hot water tank to control
sediment and maintain efficiency.
Vacuum
fan grilles in bathrooms & utility
rooms.
Vacuum
fire and smoke detectors, as
dust or spider webs can prevent
them from functioning.
Vacuum
radiator grilles on refrigerators
and freezers, and empty and clean
drip trays.
Check
gauge on all fire extinguishers;
recharge or replace if necessary.
Check
fire escape routes, door and
window locks and hardware, and
lighting around outside of house;
ensure family has good security
habits.
Check
all faucets for signs of dripping
and change washers as needed.
Faucets requiring frequent replacement
of washers may be in need of
repair.
If
you have a plumbing fixture that
is not used frequently, such
as a laundry tub or spare bathroom
sink, tub or shower stall, run
some water briefly to keep water
in the trap.
Clean
drains in dishwasher, sinks,
bathtubs and shower stalls.
Test
plumbing shut-off valves to ensure
they are working and to prevent
them from seizing.
Examine
windows and doors for ice accumulation
or cold air leaks. If found,
make a note to repair or replace
in the spring.
Spring
Check
air conditioning system and have
serviced every two or three years
(if equipped).
Check
smoke, carbon monoxide and security
alarms and replace batteries.
Examine
the foundation walls for cracks,
leaks or signs of moisture, and
repair as required. Repair and
paint fences as necessary.
Ensure
sump pump is operating properly
before the spring thaw sets in.
Ensure discharge pipe is connected
and allows water to drain away
from the foundation (if equipped).
Clear
all drainage ditches and culverts
of debris.
Summer
Disconnect
the duct connected to the dryer
and vacuum lint from duct, the
areas surrounding your clothes
dryer and your dryer’s
vent hood outside.
Check
security of all guardrails and
handrails.
Check
smooth functioning of all windows
and lubricate as required.
Lubricate
door hinges and tighten screws
as needed.
Lubricate
garage door hardware and ensure
it is operating properly.
Lubricate
automatic garage door opener
motor, chain, etc. and ensure
that the auto-reverse mechanism
is properly adjusted.
Check
and replace damaged caulking
and weather stripping around
windows and doorways, including
the doorway between the garage
and the house.
Check
exterior wood siding and trim
for signs of deterioration; clean,
replace or refinish as needed.
Check
for and seal off any holes in
exterior cladding that could
be an entry point for small pests,
such as bats and squirrels.
Remove
any plants that contact, or roots
that penetrate, the siding, brick
or foundation.
Inspect
your roof to
check its general condition.
Note the condition of all shingles
for possible repair or replacement,
and examine all roof flashings,
such as at chimney and roof joints,
for any signs of cracking or
leakage.
Inspect
all interior and exterior caulking
and grouting for signs of shrinkage
and cracking. Remove old and
replace with new as needed.
