Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklists Your home needs regular maintenance. You can complete most of the following tasks yourself by following this season-by-season schedule of indoor and outdoor maintenance. Long River Home Inspection http://longriverhomeinspection.com Phone: Email:
Fall Season Home Maintenance Checklist o Winterize air conditioning systems. Remove or cover window and wall mount A/C units. Cover exterior condenser with a tarp and bungee cord. Be sure to only cover the top portion of the unit, or else you may create a "mouse house" for rodents to find shelter in. o Schedule a professional service call for your heating system. This should happen on an annual basis to prevent any emergency calls for loss of heat when you need it most. If you have oil, make sure you are set for a scheduled delivery to avoid running the tank empty. o Service gas and oil water heaters. It is also a good idea to flush the tank to draw out any sediment that can build up. This helps prolong the life expectancy of your water heater. o Schedule fireplace (and wood stove) cleaning and service as needed. Be sure to use a chimney sweep company that is a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) or Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Obtain multiple estimates on any work, and be weary of any solicitations for seemingly excessive or unnecessary work. o Winterize exterior hose bibbs. Find and shut off the valves for the outside faucets. Remove any hoses and sprinkler equipment and store in garage/shed. If you have an irrigation system, this would be the time to have it winterized for the year.
o Prepare whole house humidifier. If you have a whole house humidification system, clean filters if needed, turn on unit, and adjust the duct damper from summer to winter setting. o Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer. Your dryer duct should be smooth lined with minimal turns, and no kinks. The leading cause of home clothes dryers and washer fires is failure to clean. Dryers and washing machines were involved in one out of every 22 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments in 2006-2010. Dryers accounted for 92% of those fires (source: NFPA). Cleaning the dryer is extremely important. There is even a company that specializes in ensuring your ductwork and dryer vent is installed correctly, using the right materials, and stays clean. The Dryer Vent Wizard! o Be prepared with all your winter equipment. Make sure you have shovels, salt, and have your snow blower ready to go if you own one. o Inspect roof vents and exterior of home for birds nests, and remove them if they are there. o Inspect all doors and windows to make sure caulking and sealant is sufficient to reduce heat loss and keep moisture out. o Remove and clean dust from your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test and check batteries. o Open and close main water shut off valve to exercise interior components and make sure it works.
Winter Season Home Maintenance Checklist o Regularly monitor your home for ice dams. Remove any icicles from the home that may fall and cause damage. If you utilize a roof rake or shovel, be sure to not damage the shingles while removing snow. Hire a professional to avoid personal injury if water is entering the home. There are a few tricks to help break open the ice dam. Laying calcium chloride (do not use rock salt) perpendicular to the ice dam can create a channel with which the water can flow throw. You can attempt to break it up, very carefully, with a blunt mallet. Ultimately though, you will want to note where these issues are occurring and then address in the spring with an evaluation on your ventilation and insulation in the home. o Test your GFCI outlets, any AFCI outlets or breakers, and exercise the breakers in your electrical panel by turning them off, then back on again. Check for damaged cords, plugs, or outlets. As always, be extra careful when working with electricity. o Check that all interior and exterior doors open, close, latch, and lock properly. Check for any loose hardware on cabinets and drawers throughout the home that may need to be tightened up. o Store wood away from home. If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, keep the wood stored at least 20 feet from the home.
o Check grout and sealant on bathroom and kitchen tiles (and any tiles in wet areas). Re-seal and grout if there are any sections that have deteriorated. This will help maintain the waterproof envelope and prolong the life expectancy of the material. o Utilize a programmable thermostat to schedule an appropriate time to call for heat and turn heating system off to maximize efficiency. o Familiarize responsible family members with location and fuel shut off valves, appliance shut off valves, and the main water shut off vale. o Vacuum and clean any electric baseboard or space heaters on regular basis to prevent any dust & lint build up. o For homes on a private well, have the water tested and system checked. If a water treatment system is installed, have it professionally serviced. This should be done on an annual basis. o Make sure all electrical holiday decorations have tight connections and are displayed in a safe and secure manner.
Spring Season Home Maintenance Checklist o Check for damage to your roof. If you are not comfortable with heights or the roof is not accessible (too high/too steep), have it evaluated by a roofing professional. Often times during large snow storms, it is common to see roofing shingle damage where someone attempted to shovel or utilize a roof rake and went too deep, scraping the shingles. Also inspect for any damage to, or birds nests in, your roof vents. o Check all the fascia, trim, and foundation for deterioration. Look for any paint chipping or peeling and any caulking deterioration. Also look at the foundation for any cracking, spalling or damage from frost heave and the freeze/thaw cycle of winter. Re-paint, patch, and seal as needed with appropriate materials. o Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer. Depending on what area of the country you live, it may be as simple as installing or uncovering window units. Check filters on these to make sure they are clean. For homes with central air conditioning, a professional can come out and check the system. Make sure the exterior condensing unit is level and clean, and has proper clearance. Be sure to change the filters also as recommend by the manufacturers instructions for the filtration system installed. o Check your fire extinguishers. Ensure that it is accessible, has no signs of wear, and that the gauge shows it has sufficient pressure.
o Check your water heater. Look for any signs of rust at the base of the tank. Check the Temperature and Pressure Relief valve discharge tube for signs of leaking or wear, and test it to prevent any mineral buildup or corrosion. Typical life expectancy of a water heater is 8 to 12 years. While they may even last longer than that, be aware of how old your water heater is. It is a good idea to also place a battery operated water alarm sensor on the floor next to the unit. This will alert you if there is a leak before any damage can occur, especially if the area near the water heater is finished. o Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter. Grease can build up on these components so be sure to give them a good cleaning (this can be done on a more consistent basis, monthly, rather than each spring). o Review your fire escape plan with your family. o Repair all cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walks to help provide a level-walking surface. Flagstone walkways, pavers, concrete, asphalt... all of these items can settle and crack over time due to the relentless freezing and thawing cycle of winter. Look for any uneven stones or pavers, and level them off to prevent any trip hazards. Call in a mason for any larger cracking or settling. o Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function. By exercising these valves you will also make sure that when the time comes to use it, they open and close freely.
o Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer. Your dryer duct should be smooth lined with minimal turns, and no kinks. The leading cause of home clothes dryers and washer fires is failure to clean. Dryers and washing machines were involved in one out of every 22 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments in 2006-2010. Dryers accounted for 92% of those fires (source: NFPA). Cleaning the dryer is extremely important. There is even a company that specializes in ensuring your ductwork and dryer vent is installed correctly, using the right materials, and stays clean. The Dryer Vent Wizard! o Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Test them, and make sure the batteries are working if they are not hardwired. o Clean out your gutters. They may have accumulated debris from winter winds and rains and are an important component to ensure spring rainwater is routed away from your home and foundation. The leaders for your downspouts should be routed at least 6 feet away from the home. o Check the exterior for drainage and grading. If you have flat or negative grading, you'll want to change that and make sure the soil slopes away from the home at a rate of 1" per foot. If the overall grading and lot drainage is towards the house, swales can be used to direct surface water away from the foundation. o Check your electrical service lines. If you have an overhead service drop, check the lines if they run through trees. If there is any interference or contact with the tree limbs, have the branches trimmed back by a professional.
o Keep all of your shrubs and plants pruned away from the home. The recommended space is 3 feet away from the home. This keeps your home protected from any moisture and insect damage that plants can cause when in direct contact with the side of the home. It also allows you access to properly inspect and access the exterior of your home as needed. Have a professional prune back any tree limbs overhanging the roofline. o Check your window and storm door screens. Inspect them for any damage or holes, and have them repaired. o Turn off your humidifier. If you have a whole house humidifier, turn off the unit and water supply. Check for any leaks and clean out filter as needed. Make sure to switch the duct damper to the appropriate setting for the season. o Inspect your chimney exterior. Check for any damage to the chimney cap, check the flashing and the slant around, and check for any damage to the masonry itself. A professional mason and chimney sweep could do this. o De-winterize your exterior hose bibbs. Open up all the shutoff valves supplying water to any outside faucets, showers, or fountains. If you have an irrigation system, this will also need to be opened up and prepared for the season.
o Look over the attic and basement. Give these often ignored spaces a thorough examination, looking for any signs of leaks, mildew, condensation, rot or cracks in the foundation. Typical settlement cracks in the basement are common. A good way to check if a crack is "active" (indicating movement), is to take a picture of it on an annual basis. Each year you can compare to the previous one to see if there is an issue that needs to be addressed. o Vacuum out your refrigerator coil and clean the drain pan. Dust and dirt accumulates behind the fridge and can cause the fridge to run less efficiently, and shorten its lifespan. Also, you'll be surprised when you pull the fridge out how dirty the space below can get. Clean that too. o Clean your bathroom grill and exhaust fan. All bathroom exhaust fans should be routed directly to the exterior. Check the ductwork for any openings or damage. o Keep the deck protected. Check your deck for any signs of wear or deterioration, and power wash and seal as needed. o Sump pump. If you have a sump pump or wet basement system installed, test to make sure it removes water from the sump pit.
Summer Season Home Maintenance Checklist o Check and prepare air conditioner. Keep bushes, plants, and ground cover trimmed clear of your exterior condenser. Maintain the filter as recommended by manufacturer. Check condensate pump and condensate drain line to make sure it s clear. o Clean gutters. Make sure downspouts are attached and extended away from home (6 feet). o Check grout and sealant on bathroom and kitchen tiles (and any tiles in wet areas). Re-seal and grout if there are any sections that have deteriorated. This will help maintain the waterproof envelope and prolong the life expectancy of the material. o Inspect all faucets, supply lines feeding them and waste lines below for any leaks. A small drip can create quite a mess if left unchecked for long periods of time. Also check water lines feeding dishwasher, icemaker and washing machine. o Treat for any pest and insect issues with the home. You may consider hiring a professional to do this. Inspect all accessible exterior and interior areas of the home for carpenter ants, termites, carpenter bees, and other wood destroying organisms.
o Keep window wells clear from leaves and debris. o Inspect your driveway for any cracking or rutting. Hire a qualified contractor to professionally apply commercial grade sealant or re-pave damaged areas. o Check all window and door locks. o Check attic and basement after heavy rains for any signs of leaking.