| Your home is a big investment...probably one of the | | | | ideally be periodically drained to remove any |
| biggest investments you'll ever make so properly | | | | sediment. In areas with hard water, you should drain |
| maintaining your investment is vital to keeping up it's | | | | every 3 months. |
| value. But homes are much more than an | | | | Vent exhaust ducts for the clothes dryer and |
| investment...they are where we take shelter and | | | | cooktop to the outside and keep the drip pans from |
| spend much of our time in and are our living | | | | your air conditioner clean and the drain lines |
| environment and to a degree determine much of our | | | | unobstructed and flowing properly. In the kitchen you |
| quality of life. | | | | should clean the dust from refrigerator condenser |
| The health of a home is a lot like our own personal | | | | located at the rear of unit. |
| health. If it is regularly checked and maintained, the | | | | Keep indoor moisture low (ideally between 30-50% |
| chances of problems arising are less. With proper | | | | relative humidity). Consider purchasing an inexpensive |
| home improvement & maintenance, if and when | | | | humidity meter, available at local hardware stores. |
| problems do occur, there is less chance that they will | | | | Periodically inspect your foundation walls and floors |
| blossom into major problems. | | | | for cracks that might allow water seepage, especially |
| So here are some of the things that should be | | | | if you live in an older home or an area with poor soil |
| checked periodically | | | | drainage. If you have a basement or crawl space |
| Water leakage: | | | | prone to leaks or flooding you might want to keep a |
| Water leaks are really serious trouble and should be | | | | sump pump handy. |
| remedied immediately before they become major | | | | You should also inspect your roof and roof flashing |
| issues and cause some serious damage. Water leaks | | | | periodically for missing, worn or broken shingles and |
| can not only lead to toxic and costly mold issues but | | | | any flashing that may have separated from adjacent |
| can also damage walls and sub flooring and other | | | | surfaces allowing water leakage. A licensed roofer |
| items in your home. | | | | can inspect these areas and make necessary repairs. |
| Water leaks can be caused by prolonged rain, heavy | | | | You should also inspect your gutters and downspouts |
| snowfall, old water hoses from appliances such as | | | | and remove any debris to assure unobstructed water |
| washing machines, dishwashers, icemakers, air | | | | flow away from the foundation. |
| conditioners and garbage disposals. | | | | Additional Items: |
| Water leaks can also be caused by frozen or | | | | Some exterior items that should be on your home |
| corroded pipes, clogged drains, damaged and cracked | | | | improvement & maintenance checklist are the |
| seals from extreme heat or cold, heavy usage and a | | | | veneering and siding. With brick, watch for |
| multitude of other reasons as well. | | | | deteriorating bricks or masonry. For siding, watch for |
| Some of the items to check for leaks are obviously | | | | warping or rot. Check caulking around doors and |
| the areas most prone to leaks from heavy use such | | | | windows, glazing around window panes. Make sure |
| as the caulking and grout in the bathrooms around | | | | your cooling and heating unit is free from obstructing |
| the toilets, tub and shower area, under sinks in the | | | | debris. On the heater change the filter and check the |
| bathroom and in the kitchen. Any water damage | | | | coils for any buildup. |
| marks on ceilings or walls will obviously indicate a | | | | You should also get periodic termite inspection done. |
| water leak from somewhere and should immediately | | | | Check for any evidence of termites or wood eating |
| be checked out and repaired. | | | | insects. Watch for accumulation of tree limbs, |
| Inspect your plumbing water lines and waste lines for | | | | branches, debris that can attract wood eating insects. |
| leaks, damage or corrosion. If you notice problems, | | | | And if you have a wood burning fireplace never |
| hire a licensed plumber for further inspection and | | | | store wood in or near the home as the wood often |
| repairs. You should also check around your water | | | | contains termites. |
| heater for any pooling water. Water heaters should | | | | |