Here's A List Of Things You Can Do To Keep The Home In Top Shape

(Sunday, December 26, 2004) - Like your car, your home needs routine maintenance to keep it running at its best.

With the new year less than a week away, we consulted home repair experts and compiled a list of preventative measures you should take each season.

They agreed: Following a regular maintenance schedule should help prevent problems and costly repair bills.

Here's what they recommend season-by-season:

Winter

Clean or replace furnace filters. Check your owner's manual for recommended procedures. Some filters should be cleaned or replaced monthly during the heating season. A clean filter allows for maximum efficiency and a less expensive heating bill.

Check batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Activate the test button in your smoke detectors at least twice a year to assure that the horn is operational.

Vacuum the coils behind your refrigerator and freezer to increase energy efficiency. The coils are located behind or under the appliance. Clean gasket around refrigerator door to ensure the door closes tightly. Clean inside of refrigerator with warm water and baking soda — about 1 tablespoon baking soda to one quart water.

Pour 1 cup bleach or lime remover down toilet bowls and leave overnight.

Pour 1 cup bleach down each drain and let stand overnight to help prevent clogging from grease and hair.

Clean the pipes or harnesses that re-circulate water from your whirlpool tub through the jets. Some manufacturers sell cleaners that are formulated for this purpose, but others recommend flushing the system with a combination of low-foaming dishwasher detergent and household bleach. Repeat twice a month.

Check for loose or cracked caulking around the shower and sink areas. Replace or touch up as necessary. Worn caulking accounts for a large percentage of needless calls to plumbers as many homeowners mistakenly assume moisture damage from bad caulk is a plumbing leak.

Discard accumulated junk from closets, attics, basements and other storage areas. Winter is a good time to donate useable winter apparel to charities.

Check for and seal cracks and leaks in basement walls and floor.

Touch up interior painting or repaint as needed. Get spackle and fill in any cracks, gouges or nail pops in wall board.

Drain and flush out the sediment that builds up in your water heater every three to six months. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for best results.

Have carpets cleaned after an event such as holiday parties.

Regularly clean out fireplace ash pit.

Ready your lawn mower: Run the engine dry, drain and replace the oil, and replace the air filter; if blades need sharpening or other repairs are needed, take your mower to the shop during this slow season.

Late winter, early spring check for signs of termites. Damage can be minimized if the colony is found and treated early. If you see signs, call a professional.

Spring

At the end of heating season, pull the plug, shut the water valve and drain your humidifier. A unit with a water reservoir should be drained and cleaned with white vinegar, a mix of one part chlorine bleach to eight parts water or muriatic acid. Mist-type humidifiers also require regular cleaning to remove mineral deposits.

Tighten all fasteners on the door hardware and lubricate all hinge points on your garage doors so that they operate safely. Spray moving parts with a lubricant.

Clean and install screen windows and doors. Clean and lubricate window channels for smoother sliding.

Clean and seal decks. Check wood for signs of rotting and replace boards where necessary. Look for and repair deteriorated finishes to preserve wood.

Check for missing or loose siding. Repair as needed. Repair any loose bricks or mortar damage.

Clean air conditioning vents to ensure proper operation.

Test, clean and lubricate sump pumps.

Turn on the sprinkler system and connect all hoses to outside spigots.

Check attic vents for nests and other blockages. Make sure vents and/or attic fans are working properly.

Look for signs of roof or flashing leaks on rafters and insulation.

Clean gutters.

Reseal driveways.

Make sure air conditioner drain lines are clear.

Summer

If you have central air conditioning, change the filter. The blower on your furnace is the same one that circulates cold air.

Have your wood burning fireplaces and stoves inspected and cleaned and repaired to prevent chimney fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and mortar and flashing failure. If you don't have a chimney cap, consider installing one to protect your chimney from water, debris and critters.

Clear outside air conditioners vents of shrubbery and grass weekly during the cooling season so that air flow over the unit's condensing coils is not reduced.

Check flashlights to make sure they are in operating condition and batteries are still good.

Have your snow blower serviced and readied for winter.

Fall

Make sure flammable items in the garage are stored properly.

Clean gutters to reduce ice dams in the winter.

If you didn't reseal your driveway in the spring, do it now.

Drain garden hoses. Shut off outdoor water faucets and sprinkler systems.

Trim trees and remove dead branches.

If you removed storm windows for the spring and summer, reinstall them.

Check to see that windows in the basement are shut tightly. Repair or replace any cracked windows. Putty, caulk or add weather-stripping around windows as needed.

Replace worn weather-stripping around exterior doors.

Cover outside air conditioning units. Remove window units.

If you haven't had your chimney cleaned, make an appointment to do so and have it checked before you use it.

Make sure your fire extinguisher is sufficiently charged to be effective. (You should do this at least once a month.)

Sources: Chimney Safety Institute of America, Cooperative Extension Service North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., House Doctors Handyman Service, National Home Warranty Association, On the House with the Carey Brothers, York International Inc.

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