Home Maintenance For Dummies, 2nd Edition
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Spring
Every spring, do these tasks:
Check gutters and downspouts for debris and touch up the paint (Chapter 5).
Check for efflorescence (white powdery mineral residue), fungus, and mold in the crawlspace or basement (Chapter 4).
Pressure-wash and repair exterior siding (Chapter 5).
Inspect exterior walls and roof for winter and seasonal storm damage (Chapter 5).
Inspect the attic for signs of roof leaks (Chapter 6).
Clean the roof and oil wood shingles (Chapter 5).
Caulk and patch all exterior cracks and openings (Chapter 5).
Caulk window trim and door frames (Chapter 6).
Wash and repair holes and tears in window and door screens (Chapter 6).
Adjust sticking doors (Chapter 12).
Tighten and lubricate door knobs, locks, and latches (Chapter 12).
Clean and preserve (or paint) your wood deck (Chapter 18).
Replace the batteries in your irrigation controller and adjust the watering time.
Clean, adjust, lubricate, and tighten sprinkler heads.
Check for and replace damaged sprinkler head risers.
Inspect railing and ornamental iron for rust and touch up the paint (Chapter 19).
Clean and degrease exterior concrete surfaces (Chapter 17).
Clean stained plumbing fixtures (Chapter 8).
Clean faucet aerators (Chapter 8).
Clean air-conditioning compressor fins and have your air conditioner serviced (Chapter 10).
Clean lint from the dryer duct and from the interior of the dryer housing (Chapter 14).
Inspect the washing-machine water-supply hoses and clean the filters (Chapter 14).
Lubricate door hinges and drawer glides (Chapter 13).
Fall
Every autumn, do these tasks:
Check gutters and downspouts for debris and touch up the paint (Chapter 5).
Water-test the roof and flashings for leaks (Chapter 5).
Repair (tuck-point) mortar joints around masonry surfaces (Chapter 4).
Check for efflorescence, fungus, and mold in the crawlspace or basement (Chapter 4).
Prepare for and prevent roof ice dams (Chapter 5).
Look for loose shingles, siding, trim, or anything else that could become airborne in a winter storm (Chapter 5).
Caulk and patch all exterior cracks and openings (Chapter 5).
Caulk window trim and door frames (Chapter 6).
Check the condition of heat-duct and water-pipe insulation (Chapter 6).
Check roof decks for deterioration, damaged flashing, and waterproof integrity (Chapter 18).
Clean and degrease exterior concrete surfaces (Chapter 17).
Seal and protect all concrete and masonry surfaces (Chapter 17).
Test the furnace, clean the burners, and lubricate pulleys (Chapter 10).
Open and adjust the fireplace damper (Chapter 15).
Clean and adjust the fireplace screen and doors (Chapter 15).
Check the condition of the chimney spark arrestor (Chapter 15).
Clean the lint from the dryer duct and from the interior of the dryer housing (Chapter 14).
Inspect the washing-machine water-supply hoses and clean the filters (Chapter 14).
Lubricate door hinges and drawer glides (Chapter 13).
Winter
Winterize your home by doing these things:
Insulate water lines to prevent freezing (Chapter 6).
Winterize your pool or spa.
Turn off and drain your sprinkler system.
Drain or insulate irrigation backflow-prevention devices.
Install storm windows and doors (Chapter 6).
Clean, oil, and store all garden tools for the winter.
Clean, wrap, and store all garden furniture for the winter.
Thin major trees and shrubs prior to winter to allow sunshine through during the cold months.
Things to do monthly
Every month, do these tasks:
Check water-purification and water-softener filters (Chapter 7).
Test the water-heater pressure and temperature-relief valve for proper operation (Chapter 7).
Clean and freshen your drains (Chapter 9).
Degrease and freshen your disposal using vinegar ice cubes (Chapter 14).
Clean and replace furnace and air-conditioner filters (Chapter 10).
Check the steam system safety valve and steam gauge (Chapter 10).
Check the water level of your steam system (Chapter 10).
Clean the filter on the interior of wall-mounted heat pumps (Chapter 10).
Check air intakes for insect blockages and debris (Chapter 10).
Clean the range-hood filter (Chapter 14).
Clean your appliances (Chapter 14).
Remove and clean range burners (Chapter 14).
Wash and rinse the clothes-dryer lint screen (Chapter 14).
Inspect, clean, and lubricate at least one major appliance per the manufacturer’s instructions (Chapter 14).
Deep-clean laminate surfaces (Chapter 12).
Clean and brighten tile and grout (Chapter 12).
Deep-clean all types of flooring (Chapter 12).
Test fire-extinguisher pressure gauges (Chapter 16).
Test smoke-detector sensors and alarms (Chapter 16).
Test carbon-monoxide detectors (Chapter 16).
Test the auto-reverse safety feature on garage-door openers (Chapter 16).
Shutting-down checklist
If you’re leaving for an extended period of time, shut down your house by doing these tasks:
Open outside faucets and wrap with a towel or cloth.
Disconnect all liquid-propane gas tanks and safely store them away from the house.
Wrap all liquid-propane regulator valves in plastic to prevent corrosion.
Stop mail, newspaper, and magazine delivery.
Arrange for a neighbor to check your property occasionally.
Alert local police that you’ll be gone.
Arrange to have the lawn mowed or snow shoveled.
If the electricity will remain on, put the lights and radio on timers.
Remove valuables or place them out of sight.
Draw the drapes and blinds to prevent people from seeing that you’re not home.
Turn off the well pump or close the water-main valve (Chapter 7).
Open all faucets.
Disconnect the union (pipe fitting designed to join two sections of pipe) or other quick-disconnect fitting near the water shut-off valve, to allow the maximum amount of water to drain out.
Drain flexible spray hoses in sinks and hand-held showers.
Use a plunger to push water out of all p-traps in sinks, tubs, toilets, and so on (Chapter 9).
Turn off or drain the water heater (Chapter 7).
Turn off washing-machine inlet hoses; remove the hoses and let them drain.
Clear the washing-machine water valve by setting the timer for the fill cycle. Select the warm-water setting and let it run a few seconds.
Remove the dishwasher inlet and outlet hoses. Operate the pump to clear the valve. Remove the drain hose.
Unplug all electric appliances and electronics, both big and small.
If your home (or vacation home) is located in an unusually hot climate, be sure to do the following:
Leave the air conditioner on and turn the thermostat up to 85 degrees.
Leave toilet lids open to prevent condensation and mold.
Place a tablespoon of mineral oil in toilet bowls, tub/shower drains, sink drains, and the dishwasher tub to slow evaporation and keep seals moist.
Other periodic maintenance tasks
Here are additional maintenance tasks that need to be done periodically:
If your refrigerator is more than 10 years old, defrost and clean it every two months (Chapter 14).
If you use your stovetop range often:
&nb
sp; • Inspect electrical plug-in tips for grease or corrosion weekly (Chapter 14).
• Clean the removable gas burners weekly (Chapter 14).
Run the dishwasher at least once a week to keep seals moist and prevent leaks and eventual failure (Chapter 14).
Check and replace all exterior light bulbs.
Put 1 teaspoon of Tang in the dishwasher soap dispenser once a week to keep the inside of your dishwasher clean (Chapter 17).
Make sure that emergency shut-off wrenches are present at gas and water locations (Chapters 7 and 10).
Replace smoke detectors if they’re more than 10 years old or they’ve been operational for more than 87,000 continual hours (Chapter 16).
Review shut-off procedures for electric, gas, and water mains (Chapters 7 and 10).
Replace smoke alarm and carbon-monoxide detector batteries at least twice a year (Chapter 16).
Test the backup battery on your burglar alarm at least twice a year (Chapter 16).
Paying Attention to Safety
Working around the house can be especially satisfying. It can also be extremely dangerous. Having the right safety gear (and using it), and practicing good work habits can prevent an otherwise pleasurable experience from becoming a nightmare.
The Boy Scout motto is “Be prepared.” It should also be your motto when it comes to tackling home projects:
Know where the power, water, and gas shut-offs are, and how to use them. Try them all at least once so you know if they’re difficult to turn or hard to reach. You don’t want to be figuring it out during an emergency!
Know where a fire extinguisher is. Even better, keep a small one in your tool bucket. Fire is a possibility whenever you’re working with torches, heat guns, electricity, or power tools, or when you’re doing demolition. You never know what’ll happen, and you want to be ready if you have a close encounter of the flaming kind.
Your clothing and safety gear
No one expects to look like a fashion plate when doing chores, but there’s more to what you wear when you’re tackling home maintenance than being comfortable. Make sure you do the following:
Always wear safety glasses! And they go on your eyes, not on your head or in your pocket!
Wear gloves when you can. Handling small screws and little parts is difficult with gloves on, but you can protect your hands most of the time — especially when using power tools or working with anything that can cut, puncture, scratch, burn, or squash your hands.
Always wear protective footwear. Work boots are best. Absolutely no flip-flops or sandals. A dropped tool or falling two-by-four will truly and terribly hurt your tootsies.
Tie back your hair. You really don’t want it to get caught up in a drill or saw. Be safe and put it up in a ponytail.
Wear a shirt with short sleeves or sleeves that can be rolled up or buttoned snugly at the wrist. Flowing sleeves are a lovely look for a garden party, and an oversized sweatshirt may be comfy, but they may get tangled in power tools, catch on corners, snag tools, and even catch fire.
Your work habits
If you don’t work smart, the chances that you’ll either hurt yourself or damage your home are significantly increased. Do the following to stay safe while you work:
Never work alone on dangerous projects, on ladders, or on the roof. It’s always good to have someone to help maneuver big materials, steady the ladder, or call an ambulance.
Use the right tool for the job. Using a tool for something other than its intended use is asking for trouble. No wrench/hammers or screwdriver/drills! Remember that keeping your tools sharp and clean will produce superior-quality results. Plus, sharp and clean tools are safer to use.
Protect your work area. A dropped hammer will mess up the floor. A spilled gallon of paint will take hours to clean up. Why risk damaging your home or its contents? Remove everything that doesn’t need to be in your work area; cover whatever remains and every inch of the floor with dropcloths. A good-quality reusable canvas dropcloth will pay for itself many times over in preventing damage.
Work neatly and eliminate tripping hazards. Keep your work area — especially the floor — free of tools, extension cords, and supplies. Put tools you aren’t using in your bucket or out of the way. Bring in only the materials you need at the moment. Remove anything you no longer need for the job.
Follow basic ladder-safety rules. Don’t overreach. Position your ladder properly and on a stable surface. Never use a bucket or chair instead of a stepladder.
Keep a phone nearby while you’re working. If you break your leg falling off the ladder, you’ll have to crawl only a few feet to summon help! Better yet, keep your cellphone in your pocket.
Do It Yourself or Hire a Pro? The $64,000 Question
Some jobs are either too big or too hard to do yourself, and there’s no shame in hiring a pro to do them. But how do you know when you need to outsource a maintenance project? Simple! When you’ll be in over your head. When you’re crunched for time. When you don’t have the specialized tools needed. When you won’t be happy with your results. When you don’t have the energy. When you don’t want to be bothered. When the task requires specialized expertise.
Bottom line: If the job is going to be a pain in the butt and will exceed your skill/experience level, you’re better off hiring someone who will do it right in a reasonable amount of time.
With that in mind, we think the jobs best left to experienced, expert pros include
Furnace, boiler, and air-conditioner service and repair
Major electrical or plumbing work
Lead and asbestos testing and abatement
Chimney cleaning and repair
Foundation repairs and waterproofing and structural repairs
Window or roof replacement
Tuck-pointing
Carpet and sheet-vinyl installation
Garage-door installation
Everything else, pretty much, is up to you.
Finding a pro
The best way to find a qualified, reliable professional is to get referrals from your relatives, friends, and neighbors. Period. End of discussion. Every other way is a complete crapshoot. So ask! If someone you know has had a good experience (not just an okay one) with a particular professional, add that person or company to your referral list.