Home Tips - Your Home Maintenance Schedule

Regular maintenance is the key
Inspecting your home on a regular basis and following good maintenance practices is the best way to protect your investment in your home. Whether you take care of a few tasks at a time or several all at once, it is important to get into the habit of doing them. Establish a routine for yourself and you will find the work is easy to accomplish and not very time consuming. A regular schedule of seasonal maintenance can put a stop to the most common — and costly — problems, before they occur.

By following the information noted here, you will learn about protecting your investment and how to help keep your home a safe and healthy place to live .If you do not feel comfortable performing some of the home maintenance tasks listed below, or have the necessary equipment, for example a ladder, you may want to consider hiring a qualified handy person to help you.

Seasonal home maintenance
Most home maintenance activities are seasonal. Fall is the time to get your home ready for the coming winter, which can be the most grueling season for your home. During winter months, it is important to follow routine maintenance procedures, by checking your home carefully for any problems arising and taking corrective action as soon as possible. Spring is the time to assess winter damage, start repairs and prepare for warmer months. Over the summer, there are a number of indoor and outdoor maintenance tasks to look after, such as repairing walkways and steps, painting and
checking your chimney and roof.

While most maintenance is seasonal, there are some things you should do on a frequent basis year round:

• Make sure air vents indoors and outside (intake, exhaust and forced air) are not blocked by snow or debris.
• Check and clean range hood filters on a monthly basis.
• Test the ground fault circuit interrupter(s) monthly by pushing the test button, which should then cause the reset button to pop up.
• If there are young children in the house, make sure electrical outlets are equipped with safety plugs.
• Regularly check the house for safety hazards such as a loose handrail, lifting or buckling carpet, etc.

Fall

• Have furnace or oil heating system serviced by a qualified service company every year.
• Open furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning and clean humidifier.
• Close exterior crawlspace vents in freezing temperatures to prevent frozen pipes.
• Prepare to winterize swimming pool and service hot tub for winter season if applicable.
• Remove tree limbs, leaves and debris that can attract insects.
• Store firewood outside and away from home.
• Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season.
• Vacuum electric baseboard heaters to remove dust.
• Remove the grilles on forced air systems and vacuum inside the ducts.
• Have sprinkler and irrigation systems blown out and prepared for winter.
• Clean portable humidifier, if one is used.
• Have well water tested for quality. It is recommended that you test for bacteria every six months.
• Check sump pump and line to ensure proper operation, and to ascertain that there are no line obstructions or visible leaks.
• Replace window screens with storm windows if applicable.
• Remove screens from the inside of casement windows to allow air from the heating system to keep condensation off window glass.
• Ensure all doors to the outside shut tightly, and check other doors for ease of use. Renew door weather stripping if required.
• If there is a door between your house and the garage, check the adjustment of the self-closing device to ensure it closes the door completely.
• Ensure windows and skylights close tightly.
• Cover outside of air conditioning units.
• Ensure that the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation wall, so that water does not drain into your basement or crawlspace.
• Clean gutters and leaves from eaves, troughs and roofs, and test downspouts to ensure proper drainage from the roof.
• Check chimneys for obstructions such as nests.
• Drain and store outdoor hoses. Close valve to outdoor hose connection and drain the hose bib (exterior faucet), unless your house has frost proof hose bibs.
• If you have a septic tank, measure the sludge and scum to determine if the tank needs to be emptied before the spring. Tanks should be pumped out at least once every three years.
• Winterize landscaping, for example, store outdoor furniture, prepare gardens and, if necessary, protect young trees or bushes for winter.

Winter

• Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season.
• After consulting your hot water tank owner’s manual, drain off a dishpan full of water from the clean-out valve at the bottom of your hot water tank to control sediment and maintain efficiency.
• Clean humidifier two or three times during the winter season.
• Vacuum bathroom exhaust fan grille.
• Vacuum fire and smoke detectors, as dust or spider webs can prevent them from functioning properly.
• Vacuum radiator grilles on back of refrigerators and freezers, and empty and clean drip trays.
• Check gauge on all fire extinguishers; recharge or replace if necessary. Shake dry extinguishers to prevent powder from packing.
• Check fire escape routes, door and window locks and hardware, and lighting around outside of house; ensure family has good security habits.
• Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary.
  Monitor your home for excessive moisture levels—for example, condensation on your windows, which can cause significant damage over time and pose serious health problems—and take corrective action.
• Check all faucets for signs of dripping and change washers as needed. Faucets requiring frequent replacement of washers may be in need of repair.
• If you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, such as a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap.
• Clean drains in dishwasher, sinks, bathtubs and shower stalls.
• Test plumbing shut-off valves to ensure they are working and to prevent them from seizing.
• Examine windows and doors for ice accumulation or cold air leaks. If found, make a note to repair or replace in the spring.
• Check tubs and backsplashes for loose caulking, strip and reseal if necessary.
• Check electrical cords, plugs and outlets for all indoor and outdoor seasonal lights to ensure fire safety: if worn, or plugs or cords feel warm to the touch, replace immediately.

Spring

• After consulting your hot water tank owner’s manual, carefully test the temperature and pressure relief valve to ensure it is not stuck. (Caution: This test may release hot water that can cause burns.)
• Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating & cooling season.
• Have fireplace, woodstove and chimney professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year.
• Shut down and clean furnace humidifier, and close the furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning.
• Check air conditioning system and have serviced every two or three years.
• Check attic space for evidence of leaks, condensation and mildew on bottom of roof decking.
• Open all crawlspace vents on exterior of home to allow air changes and to help keep crawlspace dry.
• Turn OFF gas furnace and fireplace pilot lights where possible.
• Have well water tested for quality. It is recommended that you test for bacteria every six months.
• Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and replace batteries.
• Clean windows, screens and hardware, Check screens first and repair or replace if needed.
• Open valve to outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed.
• Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair as required.
• Repair and paint fences as necessary.
• Ensure sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in. Ensure discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain away from the foundation.
• Activate and check operation of sprinkler system and adjust spray heads from spraying on structure, adjust times accordingly throughout season.
• Check eaves troughs and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your home, clear any obstructions, and ensure water flows away from your foundation.
• Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris.
• Undertake spring landscape maintenance and, if necessary, fertilize young trees. Keep trees trimmed away from damaging roof or siding.

Summer

• Keep area around A/C unit clean and clear of debris and replace or clean furnace filters.
• Check basement pipes for condensation or dripping, and take corrective action, for example, reduce humidity and or insulate cold water pipes.
• Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary.
• If you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, for example, a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap.
• Deep clean carpets and rugs.
• Vacuum bathroom exhaust fan grille.
• Disconnect the duct connected to the dryer and vacuum lint from duct, the areas surrounding your clothes dryer and your dryer’s vent hood outside.
• Check security of all guardrails and handrails.
• Check smooth functioning of all windows, clean tracks and lubricate as required, keep weep holes clear for draining.
• Check for evidence of insects, rodents and animals. Look for nests, hives and droppings in crawlspace, basement, attic, chimney, vents, and eaves as well as in home and contact a specialist if needed.
• Lubricate door hinges and tighten screws as needed.
• Lubricate garage door hardware and ensure it is operating properly.
• Lubricate automatic garage door opener motor, chain, etc. and ensure that the auto-reverse safety mechanism is properly adjusted and working correctly.
• Check and replace damaged caulking and weather stripping around windows and doorways, including the doorway between the garage and the house.
• Check chimney for loose bricks and mortar and make sure rain caps are in place and secure.
• Check exterior wood siding and trim for signs of deterioration; clean, replace or refinish as needed.
• Check for and seal off any holes in exterior cladding that could be an entry point for small pests, such as bats, squirrels.
• Remove any plants that contact, or roots that penetrate the siding or brick.
• Climb up on your roof, or use binoculars, to check its general condition, and note any sagging, that could indicate structural problems requiring further investigation from inside the attic. Note the condition of all shingles for possible repair or replacement, and examine all roof flashings, such as at chimney and roof joints, for any signs of cracking or leakage.
• Sweep chimneys connected to any wood burning appliance or fireplace, and inspect them for end-of-season problems.
• Check the chimney cap and the caulking between the cap and the chimney.
• Repair driveway and walkways as needed.
• Repair and apply water treatment or stain to any wood decks and/or fences as needed.

Here is a list of items that you and your family should know:

• Know the location and operation of the main water shut-off valve.
• Know the location and operation of the main electrical disconnect or breaker.
• Know the location of the gas meter and how to operate the shut-off valve.
• Know the location and operation of the main electrical disconnect for the cooling system.
• Know the location and operation of the main electrical disconnect for the heating system.
• Mark and label each breaker in the electrical panel and know how to reset if breaker trips.
• Call a licensed electrician if fuse blows or breaker trips frequently.
• Have an escape route planned incase of fire-especially on a multi level floor home.
• In the event that you or a family member smells gas indoors DO:
  -- Open your windows.
  -- Leave the building.
  -- Turn off your gas meter.
  -- From another location, call the emergency number for your area anytime day or night to
  report a natural gas odor.
• If you smell gas indoors, DO NOT:
  -- Turn any electrical switches on or off.
  -- Smoke.
  -- Use the telephone.
  -- Take any other action that might cause sparks.
  

When you call to report a gas leak, be ready to tell the Intermountain Gas Company representative where the odor is most noticeable. Is it near an appliance? Near your meter? Or just a general odor? The representative will also ask how long you have been noticing the odor. They will send a service
technician to the location of the reported odor as quickly as possible to determine if there is a problem. There are no charges associated with this type of call.

If you smell natural gas or have another emergency, please call the number below.
This number is available 24 hours a day.
Emergency Telephone Number
All Emergency - 24 Hour Response - 877-777-7442