Home Maintenance List
By James Isaac
Photo: © Jupiter Images
To ensure your home stays in good repair, it should be checked at least once a year. Below is a checklist of the things you should check in and around your house.
Heating System & Hot Water Heater – You should have your heating system serviced and all the filters changed every year. Draining your hot water heater and removing the sediment that has gathered at the bottom of the tank over the last year, will not only prolong the life of your water heater, but will also ensure that it runs in top condition year round.
Roof & Gutters - Clean your gutters and drain pipes of leaves and debris. Your drain pipes should be positioned so that any precipitation drains away from your house. Check your roof for any missing shingles or damage. You also need to check your ceilings indoors for any water damage or leaks around windows, vents and corners that are prone to leakage over time.
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Siding & Paint - Do a slow walk around your home and look for any cracks or peeling in your house siding or paint. Replace any caulk that may be dried out and cracking. You can use a carpet knife as a simple effective tool to cut away old caulking from house siding. Slide the blade alongside it from both directions and then use the carpet knife to lift the old caulk intact.
Windows & Doors - Check all of your doors and windows for drafts. Replace any seals that seem worn or damaged. Those small cracks that get neglected can be the equivalent of leaving a window open year round, wasting energy and increasing the work of your heating and cooling systems.
Filters & Water Faucets – The filters in your home should be replaced or cleaned once a month or as needed. Remember to check and clean your air conditioner, dryer vent, room fans and stove hood. Always keep furniture and draperies away from heating and cooling vents.
Check all faucets throughout your home for leaks to keep from having larger problems from neglect. By keeping a check on your faucets and replacing washers to stop the leaks you are also conserving on your energy bill.
Safety Devices - Check and replace batteries in carbon monoxide, and smoke detectors at least twice a year. If you have a fire extinguisher, make sure it is in good working order. |
