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Home Maintenance
 So
you've just moved into your brand new home. You
shopped around and did a lot of research to find
the home that was just right for you. You signed
a big pile of documents at closing, the moving
trucks have left, all the boxes are unpacked,
and all your belongings are in their proper places.
What should you do now?
One of the most important things to remember
is that you are responsible for certain routine
maintenance items to keep your house functioning
properly. These tasks tend to be relatively simple.
For instance, many types of heating and air conditioning
systems contain filters to remove dirt and dust
from the air. A home owner should change these
filters when necessary.
Cleanliness is a factor that will make your home
last longer and work better. Dust and dirt, if
allowed to accumulate, can harm the finishes on
blinds, cabinets, countertops, floors, sinks,
tubs, toilets, walls, tiles and other items. If
dirt does accumulate, make sure to clean it with
a substance that does not scratch or damage the
finishes.
On the outside of your home, make sure that gutters
and downspouts do not get clogged with leaves
or other objects. The exterior of your house is
built to withstand exposure to the elements, but
a periodic cleaning will improve the appearance
and, in many instances, prolong the life of siding
and other exterior products.
When you bought your home, you probably received
a warranty from the builder on workmanship and
materials. This warranty applies to problems related
to the construction of the home, but it does not
apply to problems that arise because of failure
to perform routine maintenance. For example, if
your roof begins to leak after six months because
of faulty workmanship, your warranty would cover
that. If you develop a problem because water backed
up in clogged gutters that you should have cleaned,
the builder is not responsible for repairs. Also,
some items, such as appliances, may be covered
by manufacturers' warranties and are not the responsibility
of the builder.
You should fully familiarize yourself with the
terms of your warranty soon after you move into
your home. With all the excitement surrounding
a move into a new home, most people have little
desire to curl up in front of the fireplace and
read a legal document. Nonetheless, you should
not wait to read your warranty until a problem
arises. Set aside an hour to learn what your rights
and responsibilities are from the outset.
Preventative maintenance to your house will help
the materials used to build it last longer and
avoid extensive repair projects. The following
is a check-list of preventative maintenance projects
that are sometimes overlooked:
| Well
Water |
- Take a water sample to a laboratory
to test for purity.
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| Central
Air Conditioner |
- Clean or replace the air filter.
- Prune any shrubbery that is restricting
the circulation of air.
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| Attic
and Garage |
- Clean and discard paper and junk.
- Remove the grates from drain pipes in
garage floors and in the driveway, then
scoop out muck and flush with garden hose.
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| Vents in Foundation,
Soffits and Eaves |
- Make sure screens are intact to keep
out squirrels and other rodents, birds
and insects.
- Knock off wasp and bee nests from eaves.
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| Wood
Decks |
- Nail any raised boards and hammer in
any popped nails.
- Refinish with stain or paint if raw
wood is exposed.
- Look for signs of decay and termites
in wood near or in contact with the earth.
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| Sewer
Lines |
- Inspect the grass above the sewer lines.
If it is greener than adjacent grass,
it may indicated a leak in the line.
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| Septic
System |
- Have it inspected and cleaned if necessary.
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| Gutters
and Downspouts |
- Scoop out leaves, seed pods and other
debris.
- Flush the gutters and downspouts with
a garden hose.
- Look for pools of water that reveal
sags in the gutters.
- Straighten bent gutter hangers.
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| Driveway |
- Patch holes and seal cracks.
- Resurface if the concrete is flaking
from salt or chemical ice removers.
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| Fences
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- Hammer in popped nails.
- Tighten loose posts.
- Paint or stain if raw wood is exposed.
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| Siding
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- Look for blistered or peeling paint.
Decide if it is time to paint your house.
- Check for popped nails and loose or
cracked clapboards. Caulk when necessary.
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| Sliding
Doors |
- Clean the tracks.
- Check the locks and tighten the hardware.
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| Screens
and Screen Doors |
- Inspect, repair and clean the screens
and screen doors. It may be necessary
to paint them before re-installing
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| Fireplace
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- Clean and empty the ash pit if the
fireplace has one.
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| Hot
Water Heater |
- Drain the sediment from the bottom of
the tank.
- Consider having tank insulated to reduce
heat loss.
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| Exhaust
Fans |
- Clean the blades.
- Oil the motor.
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| Ornamental
Iron Railings |
- Sandpaper rusted areas and treat with
rust-inhibiting paint.
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| Electrical
Circuit |
- Identify the fuse or circuit breaker
that controls each circuit; make a diagram
and affix it near the box.
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| Power
Lawn Mower |
- Wash or replace the air filter.
- Fill the crankcase with new oil.
- Install a new cutting blade when necessary
and sharpen the blade each month.
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