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Protect your family, while maintaining your investment.
Seasonal Maintenance Tips
A well maintained home is much less likely to experience emergencies, and
cause family injuries, than one
that's cluttered and rundown. Consider this list of seasonal home
maintenance tips. Of course always use caution and seek the skills of a
professional when appropriate.
Spring
Safety Equipment
 | Monthly check fire extinguishers - Make sure pressure is
at proper levels. |
| Monthly test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors - Press
test button and listen for alarm. |
| Practice fire drill - Involve children in mapping escape
routes. |
| Replenish survival pantry. |
The Plumbing System
| Check pipes, valves, and fixtures for leaks - Look for
corrosion, vibration, slow leaks, or failed valves. |
| Open and close main and secondary water valves - Close
and open each valve to ensure that each is in working order. |
| Test water heater relief valve - Lift handle on valve.
If water comes out, valve is in good working order. If no water is
discharged, replace valve immediately. |
| Drain sludge out of water heater - Mineral sludge can
build up in bottom of water heater and reduce efficiency. |
| Every 2-3 years have septic tank pumped - Solids that
build up in septic tank can eventually block tank outlets. Call professional
to pump out your tank. |
The Heating and Air
Conditioning Systems
| Have ductwork professionally cleaned every 2-5 years as
needed. |
| Clean or replace air filters - Clogged furnace or air
conditioning filter will reduce systems efficiency and degrade indoor air
quality. |
| Heat pump and central air conditioning systems only -
Cut grass and other foliage away from outdoor unit. |
| Room air conditioners only - Seal gaps between unit and adjoining wall or
window. |
General Maintenance
| Inspect for termites, carpenter ants, and wood rot. |
| Wash and repair vinyl, aluminum, or clapboard siding. |
| Check roof for damaged shingles - Repair damaged
shingles immediately before leaks develop. |
| Check underside of roof (in attic) for water stains -
Water stains indicate leak that can lead to wood rot. |
| Coat wood decks with water repellent. |
| Clean and repair rain gutters and downspouts. |
Summer
Safety Equipment
| Monthly check fire extinguishers - Make sure pressure is
at proper levels. |
| Monthly test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors - Press
test button and listen for alarm. |
The Plumbing System
| Adjust water heater burner and pilot - Best left to
professional; schedule when furnace or boiler is to be serviced. |
The Heating and Air
Conditioning Systems
| Have system professionally cleaned and tuned (oil-fired
heating systems and heat pumps – annually; gas heating systems and central and
room air conditioners – every 2 years) - Some heating and cooling companies
offer reasonably priced maintenance contracts for their customers. Try to
line one up before you need services. |
| Clean or replace air filters - Clogged furnace or air
conditioning filter will reduce systems efficiency and degrade indoor air
quality. |
| Clean fan(s) – Scrape blades clean with screwdriver or
putty knife. |
| Check fan belts for snugness, alignment, and wear –
Loose belt can reduce fan speed, squeak, and wear more quickly than one that
is properly adjusted. |
| Lubricate fans, pumps, and motors – Use oil sparingly,
as prescribed in owner’s manual. Some newer fans, pumps, and motors with
sealed bearings don’t require oil. |
| Make sure registers are properly oriented and free of
obstructions – Rugs, furniture, and other obstructions can block flow of
heated or cooled air. |
| Check, repair, or upgrade duct or pipe insulation – You
can patch failed duct with tape, but it takes professional with right
equipment to test and seal system properly. Hot water and steam system pipes
should be fitted with compressed fiberglass insulation only. |
| Clean humidifier – Follow manufacturer’s instructions. |
| Hot water and steam heating systems only: |
| Clean radiators and clear away obstructions. |
| Bleed air out of system. |
| Drain expansion tank (not required on modern diaphragm-style expansion
tanks). |
| Make sure system has proper amount of water. |
| Add corrosion inhibitor and antifreeze. |
| Clean indoor coil with vacuum or brush – Heat pump and
central air conditioning systems only; use vacuum cleaner with brush
attachment to remove dust and old toothbrush and mild detergent to remove
grime. |
| Heat pump and central air conditioning systems only -
Cut grass and other foliage away from outdoor unit. |
| Clean catalytic converter – Woodstoves only; follow
manufacturer’s instructions. |
| Sweep chimney – Woodstoves only. |
General Maintenance
| Inspect for termites and carpenter ants. |
| Repaint or restain weathered siding or trim - Wind and
weather can strip wood of finish and leave it open to rot. Refinish wood
before it is damaged. |
| Paint galvanized steel gutters and flashings - Try
Rustoleum oil primer paint. |
| Trim back overgrown trees and shrubs that abut house –
Tree limbs, ivy, and dense vegetation can damage roofing and siding and give
pests access to house. |
Fall
Safety Equipment
| Monthly check fire extinguishers - Make sure pressure is
at proper levels. |
| Monthly test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors - Press
test button and listen for alarm. |
| Practice fire drill - Involve children in mapping escape
routes. |
| Replenish survival pantry. |
The Plumbing System
| Test Sump Pump - Pour water into sump pit to make sure
float and switch respond. |
| Protect outdoor faucets from freezing – Unless faucet is
freeze-proof type, it must be drained or isolated. |
The Heating and Air
Conditioning System
| Clean or replace air filters - Clogged furnace or air
conditioning filter will reduce systems efficiency and degrade indoor air
quality. |
| Heat pump and central air conditioning systems only -
Cut grass and other foliage away from outdoor unit. |
| Cover or remove unit for winter – Room air conditioners
only. |
General Maintenance
| Inspect for termites and carpenter ants. |
| Clean vegetation off roof – Cut away vines and
branches. Sweep off pine needles with broom. Use power sprayer to remove
moss, lichen, or fungus from wooden shingles (not asphalt shingles). |
| Clean and repair rain gutters and downspouts. |
| Clean out window wells and cellarways – Leaves, grass
clippings, and fallen sticks in window wells and cellarways will clog drains
and attract insects. |
| Replace worn weather-stripping – Worn weather-stripping
will let warm air out and cold air into house. |
| Recaulk windows, doors, and siding – Splits and gaps in
old caulking let water and cold air into house. |
Winter
Safety Equipment
| Monthly check fire extinguishers - Make sure pressure is
at proper levels. |
| Monthly test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors - Press
test button and listen for alarm. |
| Replace smoke detector batteries - Plan to change
batteries every New Year’s Day. |
The Plumbing System
| Clean showerheads, aerators, and drain strainers - Soak
in hot vinegar. Use pin to clean clogged openings. |
| Treat slow drains. |
The Electrical System
| Inspect receptacles and cords for wear - As electrical
cords age, they can become brittle and crack, exposing you and your family to
risk of shock and fire. |
| Switch main and secondary circuit breakers on and off -
Toggling switches will help prevent corrosion and sticking. |
| Test ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) - GFCIs
generally have test button that, when pushed, trips built-in circuit
interrupter. Pressing reset button should return circuit to normal. If GFCI
doesn’t operate properly, replace it. |
The Heating and Air
Conditioning Systems
| Clean or replace air filters - Clogged furnace or air
conditioning filter will reduce systems efficiency and degrade indoor air
quality. |
|
Hot water and steam heating systems
only: |
|
Bleed air out of system. |
| Make sure system has proper amount of water. |
| Heat pump and central air conditioning systems only -
Cut grass and other foliage away from outdoor unit. |
General Maintenance
| Inspect for termites and carpenter ants. |
Source: The Family Handyman, The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Home
Emergencies, by Don Best.
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