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