Home Maintenance

Staying on top of daily, monthly, and annual chores around your home is a big job. Maintenance and repair jobs are constants. To save time and money, plan for the seasonal needs of your home, yard, and garden.

It´s bright, sunny and the days are long. There´s a lot to do. The kids are out of school and looking for things to do. Your schedule can get complicated with summer school, sports, camp, and other activities. In addition to the annual chores, there´s plenty to do to keep up with a growing garden and yard, as well as everyday maintenance.

    * Order firewood for the fall. Give it the extra summer months to season.

    * Check gutters.

    * Paint interior or exterior if needed.

    * If you haven´t cleaned the freezer recently and used up what you have, now is a good time. That way you can take advantage of the huge array of seasonal produce that will be available for the next few months

    * Check all recreational equipment and make sure it´s in good repair, especially swimming pools.

    * Check hoses on washer, refrigerator, and dishwasher. If they show signs of deterioration, replace them.

    * If you have wood decks, check them for signs of wear or deterioration. Repair or replace as needed. If you have nails popping up, consider replacing them with galvanized screws instead.

    * Clean and seal decks.

    * Check exterior railings and stairs. Repair if they are loose or showing signs of wear.

    * Clothes dryer vents should be checked at least once a year to make sure they are clear of any lint buildup that could cause a fire.

    * Service furnace or heating system.

    * Make sure attic vents work properly. Consider installing a whole house fan.

    * Plant more annuals.

Home Maintenance Checklist
Here's a simple bi-annual "Top to Bottom" checklist to keep your home in shape year round.

1. Roof: Check roof and around vents, skylights and chimneys for leaks. Repair as necessary.

2.Attic: (Fall) Close vents to conserve heat. (Spring) Open vents to ensure proper ventilation.

3.Gutters: Clean gutters and drain pipes so leaves won't clog them and be sure they drain away from the house. (Fall: In cold-climate areas) Drain outside faucets.

4.Fireplace: Clean fireplace of ashes. (Fall) Check chimney for loose or missing mortar. Have chimney professionally cleaned. Make sure damper closes tightly. (Spring) Leave damper open for improved ventilation if the home is not air-conditioned.

5.Filters: Remember to clean or replace filters once a month, or as needed. Check and clean dryer vent, air conditioner, stove hood and room fans. Keep heating and cooling vents clean and free from furniture and draperies.

6.Safety Equipment: Ensure that all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are in good working order. Replace batteries in appropriate devices as needed, or at least twice each year.

7.Air Conditioner: (Fall: In cold-climate areas) Remove window air-conditioners, or put weatherproof covers on them.

8.Refrigerator: Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily, the latch may need to be adjusted or the seal may need to be replaced. In addition, if you have a coil-back refrigerator, vacuum the coils at least twice each year. Your refrigerator will run more efficiently with clean coils. Also, stock up! A full refrigerator uses less energy than an empty one.

9.Faucets: Check for leaky faucets in kitchen and bathroom(s). Replace washers as necessary.

10.Windows and Doors: Seal drafty doors and windows. If you added up all of the small cracks where heating and cooling escapes from a home, it would be the same as having a window open. Replace seals as needed.

11.Storm Windows and Screens: (Fall) Take down screens (if removable type) and replace with storm windows. (Spring) Remove, clean, and store storm windows (if removable). Check and patch all door and window screens. Put screens up (if removable type).

12.Siding and Paint: Look for cracks and holes in house siding or paint. Replace caulk if necessary. A carpet knife can work well for cutting away old caulking from house siding. Slice down alongside it from both directions with the hook-like blade, then use the knife to lift out the old caulk bead intact.

13.Basement: Check basement walls and floor for dampness. Be sure to clean dehumidifier regularly, if you have one.

14.Heating System: (Fall) Have heating system serviced. Change filters.

15.Hot Water Heater: (Fall) Drain hot water heater. Remove sediment from the bottom of the tank.

Home Renovation

This is your introduction to the renovation process-how to get the information you need, who's who in renovation, and some of the things to consider before you get going.

Before You Begin

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