Category: How To: Home Maintenance

monthly home maintenance checklist to extend the life of your home

1/4/2023

As a home owner, it is important to regularly maintain and care for your home in order to keep it in good condition and prevent costly repairs. Here are the top 10 home maintenance tasks that every home owner should prioritize each month:

Clean and maintain your gutters and downspouts: This will help prevent water damage to your roof and walls. moving rain water away from the foundation of the home can prevent uneven settling that leads to foundation cracking and structural issues. We recommend installing downspout extensions that divert rain water at least 6ft from the foundation
Inspect and repair your roof: Damaged or missing shingles can lead to leaks and further damage to your home. We recommend visually inspection your roof from the ground by walking around your home and looking at the roof coverings, Especially after extreme weather or storms. If any raised or damaged shingles are seen, a roofing contractor should be called to evaluate the roof coverings
Check your home’s foundation: The foundation supports the entire structure of your home, so it is important to keep it in good repair. Checking your foundation can be as easy as feeling for sagging, raised areas, or movement while walking around each room of your home. If your home has a crawlspace you can visually inspect it from the access door with a flashlight to look for falling insulation, standing water or movement of piers and foundation walls.
Service your HVAC system: Regular maintenance will ensure that your heating and cooling system is operating efficiently and effectively. We recommend changing air filters every 1-3 months depending on the amount of people and pets living in the home. Annual servicing and cleaning from a HVAC company can help reduce unexpected failure and after hours service calls that tend to cost a lot more than the annual service.
Test and maintain your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Working detectors are essential for keeping you and your family safe. we recommend testing detectors monthly and replacing batteries as needed or when chirping can be heard. detectors on the ceiling or hard to reach places can usually be pressed from the ground using a broomstick or other long item to reduce the chance from falling off a ladder.
Check your plumbing: Leaky pipes and clogged drains can cause water damage and costly repairs. We recommend filling kitchen and bathroom sinks with water and watching the drains below the cabinets while they drain to check for any leaks or slow draining. As a Home Inspector it is common for me to find leaking drains in these areas that the current home owners or tenants were completely unaware of. The quicker a leak is caught, the less water damage will be able to occur to the cabinets or floor below
Inspect and maintain your Water Heater: Regular maintenance and timely repairs can extend the life of your water heater and save you money on energy costs. We recommend checking your water heater for any signs of water around the pipe fittings or in the drip pan that could indicate leaks. we also recommend annual servicing of the water heater by draining it to remove mineral buildup in the tank, this will improve water quality and the life of the water heater.
Maintain doors and windows: This will help keep them in good condition and improve the energy efficiency of your home. We recommend checking seals and weatherstripping around exterior windows and doors for damage and repairing them to reduce drafts and improve efficiency. We use a thermal imaging camera to view this during inspections but a homeowner can look for sunlight around a closed door, or feel for moving air around doors and windows on a windy day.
Inspect and maintain your outdoor spaces: This includes tasks such as trimming trees and bushes, mowing the lawn, and maintaining any outdoor structures, such as decks and sheds. We recommend keeping vegetation like bushes and trees trimmed at least 1 foot from the siding to prevent damage, moisture and insect access to the siding. repair rotted boards and loose railings on decks to reduce safety hazards.
Check your home’s exterior: Look for signs of damage, such as peeling paint or rot, and have them repaired as needed. The exterior siding creates an envelope that helps shed water out and away from the framing and interior of the home. when the siding gets damaged or rotted it can create an access point for water intrusion. simply walking around your home looking for cracked or damaged siding and having it repaired can prevent wood rot and structural damage

By following these home maintenance tasks, you can help protect your home and ensure that it is in good working order. It is also a good idea to keep a list of trusted professionals, such as plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians, on hand for any needed repairs.

0 Comments

Six things every homeowner should know how to do

1/2/2023

2 Comments

1. How to change a lightbulb:
One of the most basic skills that all new homeowners should know how to do is how to change a lightbulb. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many people have never actually done it themselves. To change a lightbulb, you'll need a new bulb, a ladder, and a screwdriver (if the light fixture has screws holding the cover/globe in place). First, turn off the power to the light fixture by flipping the switch or unplugging it. Then, remove the old bulb by unscrewing it to the left or pulling it out of the socket. Insert the new bulb and secure it in place. Finally, turn the power back on and test the light to make sure it's working properly.

2. How to fix a leaky faucet:
Leaky faucets are not only annoying, but they can also waste a lot of water and drive up your water bill. Fixing a leaky faucet is not too difficult and can be done with a few basic tools. First, turn off the water supply to the faucet by shutting off the valve under the sink. Then, disassemble the faucet to get to the valve or cartridge that controls the flow of water. If the valve or cartridge is damaged, you'll need to replace it. If not, you may be able to fix the leak by tightening a loose part or replacing a worn-out gasket.

3. How to unclog a drain:
Clogged drains are a common problem that every homeowner will eventually have to deal with. The most basic method for unclogging a drain is to use a plunger. Simply place the plunger over the drain and push down firmly to create suction. If this doesn't work, you can try using a chemical drain cleaner or a homemade solution of vinegar and baking soda. If these methods don't work, you may need to use a snake or auger to physically remove the clog.

4. How to change the air filter in your HVAC system:
Changing the air filter in your HVAC system is an important task that should be done regularly to keep your system running efficiently. To change the filter, locate the filter compartment and remove the old filter. Measure the size of the filter and purchase a new one that is the same size. Then, insert the new filter into the compartment and close it up. It's a good idea to mark your calendar or set a reminder to change the filter every month or two.

5. How to reset a circuit breaker:
Circuit breakers are designed to protect your home's electrical system from overheating and short circuits. If a circuit breaker trips, it will cut off power to a particular circuit in your home. To reset a circuit breaker, locate the panel box and find the circuit breaker that is tripped (it will be in the "off" or "trip" position). Flip the breaker switch to the "off" position then back to the "on" position and see if power is restored to the affected circuit. If the breaker trips again, you may have a more serious electrical problem that requires the attention of a professional.

6. How to program your thermostat:
Learning how to program your thermostat can help you save energy and money on your utility bills. Most thermostats have a simple interface that allows you to set a schedule for the temperature in your home. You can set the thermostat to turn down the heat or air conditioning when you're not home, and turn it back up before you return. You can also set the thermostat to adjust the temperature based on the time of day or the outdoor temperature.

2 Comments

monthly home maintenance checklist to extend the life of your home

Six things every homeowner should know how to do

Author

Archives

Categories