Maintenance Checklist
You will need to take a few key steps to ensure your home serves you well year after year.
-Check caulking, inside and out, and touch-up.
-Check for peeling paint, hairline cracks in wood, dulling finish and warping; caulk, repaint or restain areas that have weathered.
-Clean and test smoke alarms. Replace batteries if needed.
-Test and reset groud fault circuit interrupters (GCFI) outlets and breakers.
-Clean areators in kitchen and bathroom faucets every 3-4 months.
-Change or clean the furnace filters every 1-3 months.
-Check your air conditioner in March or April. Have it serviced annually before the hot season hits.
-Check your furnace and have it serviced annually before it gets cold.
-Ensure adequate ventilation in crawlspaces. Open your vents in the spring and close them in the fall. Consistenly check for moisture build-up in crawlspaces.
-Do not place furniture or drapes over air registers or return air vents.
-Per manufacturers instructions, drain your water heater every 6 months to remove sediment.
-Inspect grout on tile floors and walls. Repair if needed and reseal every 6 months.
-Wash windows and screens, and lubricate track at least every 12 months. Clean out the weep holes on vinyl windows.
-Do not store items in your attic. The compression of insulation decreases it’s effectiveness.
-Make sure all attic vents and eave shoots are unobstructed.
-Check all roof penetration points and repair seals if needed. This includes all plumbing vents and roof vents.
-Inspect the general condition of the roof. Check for curled, missing, or damaged shingles. Also check flashing at chimneys.
-Check overhead garage doors, tighten bolts as needed and lubricate springs. All other repairs must be done by a professional.
-Check the fit of exterior doors and adjust thresholds as needed.
-Have your sprinkler system closed and opened every year by your local irrigation company.
-Clean your gutters and roof valleys of debris. Verify that splashdown blocks take rainwater away from the house.
-Have a regular termite prevention program in place.
-Check the decks and porches for popped nails, loose screws and bolts. Check structural supports for signs of insects, rot or moisture. Replace weak members as needed, stain and seal as necessary.
-Avoid using de-icing salts on your concrete. The salts will damage the concrete.
-Before it gets cold, always remove hoses from exterior faucets.
-As a general courtesy, do not let your yard (front, back, or sides) fill with debris, trash, or clutter. This includes extra vehicles, building materials, un-mowed/un-trimmed lawn, excessive lawn ornamentation is also forbidden in most covenants. Neighborhood associations forbid this, and legal action could be taken to correct this violation of covenants.
-SHOW YOUR PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP!!!