Home Maintenance Made Easy By Each Season

Home Maintenance Made Easy By Each Season

So you now own a home, you’ve moved in, it’s glorious, it’s yours and you can do whatever you like, right? Well, within reason, until a hiccup occurs and you start reaching for the phone to call your landlord. Oops, darn it, it’s all on you now. Don’t let the shock of homeownership become a nightmare, just follow these seasonal tips offered to us by Johnny Prosser Of Prosser Inspections, LLC for regular maintenance. A little care, elbow grease and an occasional call to a professional can help keep major repairs at bay and better prepare you for upcoming ,eventual failures or needed future replacements. The Amy group at EXP Realty.

Winter

1. Change the furnace filter. This will save you on energy costs and extend the life of your heating unit. Air filters prevent pollution and debris from clogging your unit. 

2. Flush the garbage disposal with cold water and baking soda; sharpen the disposal’s blades by throwing ice down the drain.

3. Test the smoke & carbon monoxide detectors. This can be done by holding the test button down for 10-20 seconds. If the alarm doesn’t sound, the batteries may need to be changed or the unit may need to be replaced.

4. Vacuum the coils on the back of the refrigerator to remove any dust build up that can decrease the energy efficiency of the refrigerator. 

5. Check caulking around tubs and showers. Repair caulking if there are any cracks or black mildew stains that can’t be removed.

6. Hire a professional to service and clean the furnace. Regular maintenance helps the unit run more efficiently and will help it last.

7. Hire a professional service to blow out the sprinklers and turn off the exterior faucets to prevent water left in the system from freezing and damaging the unit. 

Spring

1. Follow steps for Winter # 1, 2, 3

2. Hire a professional to clean gutters. Gutters that get clogged with leaves and other debris can cause water from the rain or melted snow to overflow. Regularly cleaning the gutters can prevent water damage to the house.

3. Check the downspouts to make sure it’s free of debris. A clogged downspout can prevent water from being released at least 3 ft from the base of the house, which can cause damage to the foundation.

4. Hire a professional to service the HVAC unit. Regular inspections can prevent the unit from breaking and increase efficiency.

Summer

1. Follow steps for Spring # 1, 

2. Vacuum the coils on the back of the refrigerator to remove any dust build up that can decrease the energy efficiency of the refrigerator. 

3. Touch up the exterior paint on the house. Any area of the house where the paint is chipped, pealed, flaking, or has signs of bubbling, fading or water damage should be touched up. 

4. Check for any cracks in the grout of the tile floor and repair if necessary. 

5. Inspect all toilets, faucets, showers and bathtubs for plumbing leaks. The best way to find leaks is by checking the water meter. Each meter has a lead. 

Fall

1. Follow steps for Summer # 1

2. Follow gutter cleaning protocol 

3. Follow Downspout protocol (same as Spring)

4. Hire professionals to trim the trees & shrubs. Make sure any dead branches are removed and the trees & shrubs are cut back to promote healthy growth. 

5. Install weatherstripping around the doors and windows to prevent leaks from increasing the energy bill. 

6. Hire a professional to blow out sprinklers and turn off the exterior faucets to prevent water left in the system from freezing and damaging the unit. 

7. Hire a professional to inspect roof and chimney for cracks and damages to prevent major repairs or an expensive chimney or roof replacement. 

Call or text 253-387-9506 or 360-561-2320