Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Summer Maintenance


Taking care of your home is very important! There are things you can do every season to make sure that your home stays just as nice as the day you moved in.  Here is a list of things you can do this summer:

-Check and operate air conditioning system.
-Adjust registers and confirm that cold air returns are clear of furniture and draperies.
-Make certain the air conditioner compressor is level and clear of debris.
-Start and adjust sprinkler system.  Test exterior faucets for broken pipes.
-Check overhead garage door – tighten bolts as needed and lubricate springs with motor oil. Have other repairs performed by professionals.
-Clean gutters and confirm that downspouts or splash blocks drain away from house.
-Look for settling of backfill soils and fill in where needed.
-Check exterior caulking and touch up.
-Check foundation, concrete slabs, and yard for settling of backfill soils for concrete support and add additional dirt around home as needed to maintain positive drainage.
-Check exterior paint and stained surfaces (especially stained doors) and refinish as needed.
-Inspect grout around tile (floors and walls) and touch up.
-Wash windows and screens, clean weep holes in window tracks for proper drainage and lubricate tracks.
-Inspect for shrinkage damage such as minor drywall cracks and separations of wood trim.  Repair by caulking as needed. 
-Regularly check sprinkler head adjustments.
-Check interior caulking for touch ups as needed.
-Pour a quart of water down basement floor drain. As water in drain evaporates, sewer odor may seep into house.

Now you’ll be all set till fall!