patio stairs addition

Homeowner Maintenance Checklists

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Homeowner Maintenance Checklists

Here are a few simple home preparation tips for safety, energy efficiency and the prevention of future costly repairs.

Exterior

  • Repair storm damaged roof shingles, gutters and down spouts. Clean out gutters and insure that they are draining properly to avoid water damage.
  • Repair rotted decking, railings and trim on the exterior of your home.
  • Examine the casings of windows and doors for seals that need re-caulking to prevent heat loss and water damage.
  • Check the foundation for cracks that could allow water to penetrate. Fill the smaller cracks with a viscous or epoxy compound and the larger ones with a backing compound.
  • Schedule a professional chimney cleaning to prevent fire hazard from creosote buildup. Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester.
  • Use only seasoned hardwood as soft, moist wood accelerates creosote buildup. Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet away from your home.
  • Remove branches hanging above the chimney, flues or vents.
  • Cut back shrubs and other plantings around the foundation of your home and rake leaves away from the foundation to prevent moisture build-up. Insure that the grade slopes away from the foundation.
  • Spray a diluted chlorine bleach solution around exterior areas of the home that are prone to mildew.
  • Spray Diazanon around the perimeter of the house in the late spring to prevent ant and termite infestation.
  • Repair cracks in asphalt driveways and walkways and reseal.

Interior

  • Schedule a home heating service call to ensure that your system is running efficiently.
  • Check insulation in your attic and crawl spaces. Replace or add insulation, if required. Make sure that the insulation vapor barrier faces the ceiling.
  • Install quality carbon monoxide, heat and smoke detectors.
  • Replace batteries in all detectors annually.
  • Trip each and every breaker on the breaker panel annually to insure proper operation.
  • Test GFI outlets in kitchen, bathrooms, garage and basement annually to insure proper operation.
  • Exercise (use) all shut off valves annually.

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