Home Maintenance

Posted by Keri Jackson on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 11:51 PM By Keri Jackson / February 20, 2020 Comment

Spring Home Maintenance Tips

After consulting your hot water tank owner’s manual, carefully test the temperature and pressure relief valve to ensure it is not stuck. (Caution: This test may release hot water that can cause burns)
Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season
Have fireplace or woodstove and chimney cleaned and serviced as needed
Check air conditioning system and have serviced every two or three years.
Clean or replace air conditioning filter (if applicable).
Check dehumidifier and clean if necessary
Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and replace batteries
Clean windows, screens and hardware, and replace storm windows with screens. Check screens first and repair or replace if needed
Open valve to outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed
Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair as required. Repair and paint fences as necessary
Ensure sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in. Ensure discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain away from the foundation.
Re-level any exterior steps or decks which moved due to frost or settling
Check gutters and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your home, clear any obstructions, and ensure water flows away from your foundation
Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris
Undertake spring landscape maintenance and, if necessary, fertilize young trees.

If you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, for example, a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap
Deep clean carpets and rugs
Vacuum bathroom fan grille
Disconnect the duct connected to the dryer and vacuum lint from duct, the areas surrounding your clothes dryer and your dryer’s vent hood outside
Check security of all guardrails and handrails
Check smooth functioning of all windows and lubricate as required
Lubricate door hinges and tighten screws as needed.
Lubricate garage door hardware and ensure it is operating properly
Lubricate automatic garage door opener motor, chain, etc. and ensure that the auto-reverse mechanism is properly adjusted

Have furnace or heating system serviced by a qualified service company every two years for a gas furnace
Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season
Remove the grilles on forced air systems and vacuum inside the ducts
Clean portable humidifier, if one is used
Check sump pump and line to ensure proper operation, and to ascertain that there are no line obstructions or visible leaks
Ensure all doors to the outside shut tightly, and check other doors for ease of use. Renew door weather-stripping if required
Clean leaves from gutters and roofs, and test downspouts to ensure proper drainage from the roof
Drain and store outdoor hoses. Close valve to outdoor hose connection and drain the hose bib (exterior faucet), unless your house has frost proof hose bibs.
Winterize landscaping, for example, store outdoor furniture, prepare gardens and, if necessary, protect young trees or bushes for winter

Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season.
After consulting your hot water tank owner’s manual, drain off a dishpan full of water from the clean-out valve at the bottom of your hot water tank to control sediment and maintain efficiency.
Vacuum bathroom fan grille
Vacuum fire and smoke detectors, as dust or spider webs can prevent them from functioning.
Vacuum radiator grilles on back of refrigerators and freezers, and empty and clean drip trays
Check gauge on all fire extinguishers; recharge or replace if necessary
Check fire escape routes, door and window locks and hardware, and lighting around outside of house; ensure family has good security habits
Monitor your home for excessive moisture levels—for example, condensation on your windows, which can cause significant damage over time and pose serious health problems—and take corrective action
Clean drains in dishwasher, sinks, bathtubs and shower stalls
Check electrical cords, plugs and outlets for all indoor and outdoor seasonal lights to ensure fire safety: if worn, or plugs or cords feel warm to the touch, replace immediately
Test plumbing shut-off valves to ensure they are working and to prevent them from seizing