Regular home maintenance is the key to protecting your investment in your home. A regular schedule of seasonal maintenance can put a stop to most common, and costly, problems before they occur. Keep your home a safe and healthy place to live.
During winter months, it’s important to follow routine maintenance by carefully checking your home for any problems arising and taking any necessary corrective action as soon as possible. Here is a checklist to follow:
- Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month. Ventilation system filters should be checked every two months.
- After consulting your hot water tank owner’s manual, drain off a dishpan full o water from the clean-out valve at the bottom of the tank to control sediment and maintain efficiency.
- Clean the humidifier two or three times over the winter season.
- Vacuum the bathroom fan grilles.
- Vacuum the fire and smoke detectors.
- Vacuum radiator grilles on the back of refrigerators and freezers. Empty and clean the drip trays.
- Check the gauge on your fire extinguishers. Recharge or replace if necessary.
- Check fire escape routes, door and window locks and hardware and all of the outdoor lighting.
- Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary.
- Check your home for excessive moisture levels- for example, condensation in the windows, which can cause significant damage over time, and pose serious health problems.
- Check all faucets for dripping and change washers as needed.
- Clean drains in the dishwasher, sinks, bathtubs and shower stalls.
- Test the plumbing shut-off valves to make sure they are working and to prevent seizing.
- Check windows and doors for ice accumulation and cold air leaks. Make a note to repair or replace in the spring.
- Check the attic for frost accumulation. Check the roof for ice dams or icicles.
- Check electrical cords, plugs and outlets for all indoor and outdoor lights. If worn, or if the plugs or cords feel warm to the touch, replace immediately.
If at any time you do not feel comfortable doing any home maintenance tasks, or if you do not have the necessary equipment, you will probably want to hire a qualified person to help you.
Tammy Dufault
Century 21 BJ Roth Realty Ltd.
