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Taking time to do preventive maintenance will make your home safer and save you money by keeping your home in working order. There's a good deal of physical work and a knowledge of mechanicals needed to complete these lists. So, if you are unable to do all the work yourself, ask or hire someone to help you. This section is a series of lists to help you along with regular home maintenance.
Maintenance
Tools & Materials Most home maintenance projects will require only a few simple tools. Here are a few that you may find useful. Ø
adjustable wrench Ø
slip-joint pliers Ø
utility knife Ø
flat head screwdriver Ø
phillips head screwdriver Ø
drain auger (plumber's
snake) Ø
flashlight Ø
shop-grade vacuum cleaner Ø
power washer/sprayer Ø
buckets & heavy-duty
sponges Ø
heavy duty
cleanser/degreaser Ø
caulk gun & caulk Ø
6' step ladder Ø
work gloves & rubber
gloves
Monthly
Safety Tests Make your home safer by inspecting these items monthly and keeping them up-to-date. Ø
automatic garage door
opener Ø
ground fault interrupter
receptacles and circuit breakers Ø
smoke alarms Ø
inspect and lubricate (if
needed) windows for emergency exits Ø
carbon monoxide detectors Ø
general inspection of
heating unit, air conditioner and water heater
Emergency
Items Write down this important information about your home and keep it accessible in case of an emergency. If you can't find or operate any of these items, ask someone knowledgeable to help. All adults in the home should know where these items are and how to shut them off:
Ø
heating fuel main shutoff Ø
main electrical shutoff
(service panel,
aka
fuse/breaker box): Ø
main water shutoff Ø
fire extinguishers Ø main drain line cleanout NOTE: Some people recommend "exercising" all fuel, electric and water shutoff valves and switches (turning them "off" and then "on") to ensure that they don't get stuck open. Some fuel valves are difficult to turn, so you may want to keep a wrench nearby. If valves are old and have not been exercised, leaks may occur.
Fall
(and Spring) Chores No matter where you live, seasonal changes in temperature and moisture levels require special maintenance tasks. Fall and Spring cleaning are necessary to maintain a house's appearance and keep it in good condition. Ø
close and drain hose bibs
(fall), open hose bibs (spring) Ø
rake debris away from side
of house and other structures Ø
clean out gutters and
downspout elbows Ø
check gutters, downspouts,
and roof penetrations for leaks Ø
treat wood gutters (fall) Ø
check and repair caulk (if
needed) around exterior surfaces (fall) Ø
note any cracks in
foundation, brick or stucco Ø
hose off house exterior
(spring) Ø
scrub mildewed areas of
house exterior and treat for mildew and fungus on decks (spring) Ø
clean gaps between deck
boards above joists Ø
clean around air
conditioner compressor Ø
trim any trees or shrubs
that touch house Ø
inspect and replace (if
needed)
weather stripping
Ø
inspect and repair (if
needed) screens Ø
inspect and clean (if
needed) storm window weep holes Ø
clean out under decks and
porches Ø
inspect and repair (if
needed) glazing compound Ø
clean out basement window
wells Ø
examine septic system drain
field for flooding, odor; have tank pumped yearly
Monthly
Interior Jobs These are some monthly jobs that should be done to keep appliances and mechanicals working properly. Doing so will likely extend the life and performance of each item. Ø
inspect and clean faucet
aerators and shower heads Ø
clean frost-free
refrigerator drain pan Ø
inspect dishwasher for leaks Ø
clean kitchen exhaust fan
filters Ø
grind ice cubes in disposer
Ø
check and replace (if
needed) heating system air filter Ø
maintain drains with baking
soda or hot water, not with chemical drain openers Ø
pour water down unused
drains Ø inspect visible foundation areas, pipes, vents and ducts
Annual
Interior Chores At least once a year, these items need to be checked. It's important to properly check the fireplace and combustion appliances by fall, because the house is "sealed up" in the winter and not much fresh air enters in. Ø
clean and seal tile grout Ø
drain 1-2 gallons of water
from water heater Ø
inspect plumbing shutoff
valves Ø
inspect toilets for
stability Ø
"exercise"
circuit breakers Ø
vacuum smoke alarms Ø
vacuum heating registers,
vents, ducts, radiators Ø
inspect fireplace flues for
"glassy" creosote buildup and have flues cleaned regularly Ø inspect fireplace firebrick and mortar for cracks and deterioration, patch small cracks, but large ones require professional repair
Heating/Cooling
& Hot Water Systems Most heating system maintenance should be done twice a year, once before the heating season and once before the cooling season. Ø
general furnace inspection:
look for rust, scaling on heat exchanger, proper flame color, note odd sounds or smells and check condition of venting Ø
test for proper drafting at
furnace and/or water heater diverter, examine flue for leaks, rust, damage Ø
examine
temperature-pressure relief (TPR) valve for leaking, and test, if desired Ø
arrange for appropriate
regular servicing and cleaning of combustion appliances Ø
drain hot water system
expansion tank Ø
check hot water system
water level (pressure) Ø bleed hot water system radiators
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