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As fall approaches a few key steps can ensure your home serves you well through the coming months. Please take time to check these items in your home and attend to any that need maintenance. The following are preventative tips to help you throughout the life of your home. |
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INTERIOR:
- Clean, test and change batteries in all smoke alarms.
- Test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters (GFI) breakers. Kitchen, bathrooms, and garage/basement.
- Change or clean the furnace filter. Recommended every 30 days.
- Operate heating system to ensure your system is working and running efficiently; if service is needed it is more conveniently arranged before the busiest part of the season.
- Adjust registers, dampers and confirm that air returns are clear of furniture or draperies.
- Turn the humidifier on and ensure it is operating properly with new filter.
- Inspect grout around tile (floor or wall) and touch up. Refer to a tile specialist for recommendations on sealing grout.
- Check all interior caulking to prevent water damage to your home. (Kitchens, bathrooms, etc.)
- Conduct periodical leak inspections under all kitchen sinks, bath vanities and toilets.
- Pour a quart of water down any tubs, sinks, and floor drains that are not in use. As drain water evaporates, sewer odor can seep into the house.
- Remove and clean calcium build up from aerators and inspect and tighten drains, traps and overflows.
- Check operation of the sump pump if applicable. Recommend installation of battery back up.
- Adjust exterior door thresholds to ensure a tight seal. Lubricate threshold to prevent the sweep from damage.
- Lubricate interior door lock sets and hinges.
- Check garage overhead door, tighten bolts as needed, and lubricate springs.
- Clean window tracks, sills, weep holes, and lubricate tracks & balances.
EXTERIOR:
- Proper drainage around your home is a critical element in preventing conditions that may allow water to enter your home. Look for settling of backfill soils and fill in where needed around the perimeter of the foundation. Extend all down spouts, sump pump and condensation lines by adding pipes providing a path for water to drain away from your foundation.
- Check all exterior caulking & painting to prevent water damage to your home. (Woodtrim, windows, exterior door sills etc.)
- Check exterior paint and stain surfaces (especially stained doors) and refinish/reseal as needed. (Refer to manufacturers specifications)
- Clean leaves and debris from all areaway drains, gutters and downspouts.
- Before the first frost shut off main hose bib valves (front and rear) typically located at the furnace area.
- Disconnect all outside hoses including the "Y" connection; and open the outside hose bib.
- Remove bleeder values to drain water. After water is drained make sure to secure bleeder valves.
- Check operation of the sump pump if applicable. Recommend installation of battery back up.
- Clean window tracks, sills, weep holes, and lubricate tracks & balances.
- Apply a fall/winter fertilizer to your lawn.
SNOW:
- Using salt to remove ice will damage concrete sidewalks andriveways. New concrete is especially susceptible to salt damage.
- We do not recommend the use of salt on concrete or asphalt and do not warrant damage caused by the above applications.
- Remove all snow from exterior doors. Clean all down spouts, sump pump discharge area and provide a path for water to drain.
- Clean all walkout areaways and drains. These recommendations will help prevent ice buildup and possible water intrusion into the home.
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