Inspecting your home on a regular basis and following good maintenance practices are the best way to protect your investment in your home. Whether you take care of a few tasks at a time or several all at once, it is important 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.
Most home maintenance activities are seasonal. During winter months, it is important to follow routine maintenance procedures, by checking your home carefully for any problems that may arise and taking corrective action as soon as possible.
Winter Schedule:
– Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season.
– Check ventilation system filters every two months.
– After consulting your hot water tank owner’s manual, drain off a dishpan full of water from the clean-out valve at the bottom of your hot water tank to control sediment and maintain efficiency.
– Clean out the bathroom fan grille.
– Vacuum fire and smoke detectors, as dust or spider webs can prevent them from functioning.
– Vacuum radiator grilles on the back of refrigerators and freezers, and empty and clean drip trays.
– Check pressure gauge on all fire extinguishers; recharge or replace if necessary.
– Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water; refill with water if necessary.
– 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.
– Clean drains in the dishwasher, sinks, bathtubs and shower stalls.
– Examine the attic for frost accumulation. Check roof for ice dams or icicles.
– Monitor outdoor vents, gas meters and chimneys for ice and snow buildups. Consult with an appropriate contractor or your gas utility for information on how to safely deal with any ice problems you may discover.