HOME MAINTENANCE

Regular Maintenance is the Key
Inspecting your home on a regular basis and following a good maintenance routine ensures lower operating costs, lower energy consumption and an increased home re-sales price. Regular seasonal maintenance is the best way to protect your family's safety plus stabilize the large financial investment in your home. EVERYTHING REQUIRES MAINTENANCE.

ESTABLISH A SEASONAL ROUTINE

As the seasons change, whether you take care of one task at a time or a combination of tasks all at once, establish a seasonal maintenance routine The underlying important here is to get into the habit of doing them. Establish a routine for yourself, and you will find the work is easy to accomplish and not very time-consuming. A regular schedule of seasonal maintenance can put a stop to the most common — and costly — problems, before they occur. Make a diary of your home. Takes notes of what requires seasonal maintenance and what has been maintained. 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.

THE FOUR SEASONS

SUMMER:

Clean or replace the air-conditioning filters. air exchanger ventilation system filters, Wash and clean the units if necessary and follow any manufacturer's recommendations.
Check basement pipes for condensation and/or dripping. Take corrective action. IE: Reduce humidity and/or insulate cold water pipes.
Disconnect the duct connected to your clothes dryer and vacuum lint from duct, the areas surrounding your dryer and your dryer’s vent hood outside.
Add soil to the grounds surrounding the building.
Keep trees and shrubs pruned and away from the building.
Check downspout extensions and insure they are exhausting roof water 4 to 6' feet away from the foundation on the highest point of land in that area. If not, increase the downspout's extensions length.
Inspect window putty and interior seals on window glass panes.In older older houses, and replace damaged screens and window pane glass if needed.
Check for and replace damaged caulking and weatherstripping around windows and doorways, including the doorway between the garage and the house. Insure the automatic stop & reverse switch is operational.
Insure mechanical and electrical services penetrations or protrusions are sealed tight at the envelope. Where they enter a wall. Inspect electrical service lines for secure attachment where they enter your house, and make sure there is no water leakage into the house along the electrical conduit for fraying. NOTE: Check the overhead service lateral for tree branches that may need to be removed.
From the ground, check the general condition of the roof and note any sagging on the deck and at the ridge that could indicate structural problems requiring further investigation from inside the attic. Look at the shingles for possible repair or replacement. Examine roof flashings, vents, valleys, metal, at chimney, standing pipes and vents for any signs of cracking or leakage.
Check the chimney the crown for cracks and insure a spark arrester is in place for wood burning fireplaces. Insure there is a cap on the flues. Open flue liners, capless, allows water to enter the chimney base leading to permature ware and other problems.

FALL

Have furnace or heating system serviced by a qualified service company every two years for a gas furnace, and every year for an oil furnace, or as recommended by the manufacturer.
If you have central air conditioning, make sure the drain pan under the cooling coil mounted in the furnace plenum is draining properly and is clean.
Check chimneys for obstructions such as nests.
Turn ON gas furnace pilot light (if your furnace has one), set the thermostat to “heat” and test the furnace for proper operation by raising the thermostat setting until the furnace starts to operate. Once you have confirmed proper operation, return the thermostat to the desired setting.
Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season. Ventilation system, such as heat recovery ventilator, filters should be checked every two months.
Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms, and replace batteries.
If there is a door between your house and the garage, check the adjustment of the self-closing device to ensure it closes the door completely.
Cover outside of air-conditioning units and shut off power.
Clean leaves from eaves troughs and roof, and test downspouts to ensure proper drainage from the roof.
Drain and store outdoor hoses. Close interior valve to outdoor hose connection and drain the hose bib (exterior faucet), unless your house has frost-proof hose bibs.
Winterize landscaping, for example, store outdoor furniture, prepare gardens and, if necessary, protect young trees or bushes for winter.

WINTER:

Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season. Ventilation system, such as heat recovery ventilator, filters should be checked every two months.
Check fire escape routes, door and window locks and hardware, and lighting around outside of house; ensure family has good security habits.
Monitor your home for excessive moisture levels — for example, condensation on your windows, which can cause significant damage over time and pose serious health problems — and take corrective action if necessary.
Examine windows and doors for ice accumulation or cold air leaks. If found, make a note to repair or replace in the spring.
Examine attic for frost accumulation. Check roof for ice dams or icicles. If there is excessive frost or staining of the underside of the roof, or ice dams on the roof surface,
Keep snow clear of gas meters, gas appliance vents, exhaust vents and basement windows.
Monitor outdoor vents, gas meters and chimneys for ice and snow buildup. Consult with an appropriate contractor or your gas utility for information on how to safely deal with any ice problems you may discover.

SPRING:

Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season. Ventilation system, such as heat recovery ventilator, filters should be checked every two months.
Have fireplace or wood stove and chimney cleaned and serviced as needed.
Turn OFF gas furnace and fireplace pilot lights where possible.
Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms, and replace batteries.
Clean windows, screens and hardware, and replace storm windows with screens.Check screens first and repair or replace if needed.
Open valve to outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed.
Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair as required.
Check eaves-troughs and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your home, clear any obstructions, and ensure water flows away from your foundation.