The Basics in House Maintenance

Published by cravat | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Shout Outs, Uncategorized

During Summer 

1. Plan and evaluate your fire escape route with the entire family.

2. Keep practical smoke and carbon monoxide detectors or alarms on each floor of the house and in each sleeping area. Change smoke detectors every ten years (maximum) and CO alarms depending on their manufacturer recommendation but this is typically being replaced every five years. But on your end, test this alarms at least once a week, clean their covers from house dust and replace their batteries twice a year.

3. Change the dryer plastic vents with metal because this is a fire risk.

4. Sanitize your filters every cycle, clean vent pipes and its exterior cover for pollution on a usual basis.

5. Regularly check the stairs handrails and guardrails, make sure that they are secured and safe for the kids.

6. Laundry chute should not be within the reach of small child.

7. Place full covers for all uncovered light bulbs in closet areas.

8. Put a self closing mechanism on a door between your home and garage and make sure it is solid and fire rated door.

9. Examine the garage door opener in its auto reverse feature, make sure that the safety sensors are within six inches from the floor, make sure that the overhead door can be activated easily without the opener.

During Winter

1. Check your attic during cold days. Check the frost, moisture, condensation soaked from roofing nails and mold result from lack of ventilation. 

2. Examine your ceilings and walls for condensation, frost or ghost marks. It pin-point problematic areas behind the wall surface usually missing the insulation.  

3. Monitor water pipes inside the cabinets in the kitchen and the bathroom. It is typically installed against exterior walls. In older homes it might not have any wall insulation so keep the cabinets slightly open on cold days. 

4. Check the water pipes in unheated areas like attics. Protect them or apply heating tapes if needed.  

5. Do not completely close window blinds on cold days. Let the air circulation to lower the amount of condensation, wall and window damage and mold growth. 

During Spring

1. Keep in mind to regularly check your roof for damage and attic for any leakage stains.

2. Contamination and damaged screen is something to check, as well. By lowering the thermostat setting you can test the vent power. Do not touch the blades with your bare hand.

3. Gutters ought to be checked too for contamination.

4. Clean the air conditioner from debris and lint. Be cautious. Do not damage its components. Turn off the power, vacuum brush attachment.

5. If you have trees in your house, inspect broken branches. Immediately have it removed.

6. Do some test on exterior water faucets for damage and leaks. By examining house interior areas corresponding to the valves for possible leaks.

Keeping in mind these basic tips depending on season can help prevent severe damage in your priced investment. It is easier to regularly maintain each valves, roof, air conditioning, pipes, etc. rather than spending so much on repairs if neglected.