Once a year maintenance check list:

• Drain your hot water heater. Clean out any sediment.
• In the fall, have your fireplace and chimney professionally cleaned to avoid buildup that can start a fire.
• Before the cold weather hits, have your heating system professionally serviced to make sure it's safe and ready to go for winter.
• If you have a septic tank, have it professionally inspected and pumped out if they recommend it.
• Check the seal around doors and windows so you can make repairs before the cold weather arrives.
• Drain your outdoor spigots before the cold weather comes to avoid a frozen and burst pipe.
• In the spring, clean your air conditioning unit thoroughly before turning it on. If it's central air, make sure there are no tall grasses, leaves or other debris that could block the air flow around the unit.

Twice a year maintenance check list:

• Change the batteries in your smoke detectors/and or carbon monoxide detectors. An excellent time to do this so that you don't forget is when you change your clocks each spring and fall for daylight savings time. Be sure to use the built-in tester after replacing the battery, just to make sure they're still working properly.
• Clean lint from your clothes dryer ducts and other nooks and crannies.
• Wash your range hood housing and fan to remove build-up.
• Clean the water inlet filters on your washing machine.
• Tighten fasteners and drain connections on your garbage disposal.
• Inspect your roof to spot potential problems before they turn into leaks.
• Clean your gutters and check for leaks or improper drainage.
• Check the seals on your refrigerator and freezer to make sure the appliances are running at top efficiency and not leaking cold air.
• Unscrew the aerators on your kitchen or bathroom faucets and clean them. Sediment that breaks loose from your pipes can build up and block water flow.

Monthly maintenance checklist:

• Check any fire extinguishers to make sure they're charged properly.
• Flush your garbage disposal
• Refresh your sink and tub drains. Clean out any debris and then sprinkle a little baking soda into the drain. Pour a little white vinegar into the drains and wait about 5 minutes before flushing with hot water. When the baking soda and vinegar meet they'll bubble and foam, which cleans your drain and helps eliminate odors.
• If you have a water softener, check the salt drum.
• Clean your range hood's grease filter
• Replace your furnace filter.

Following a regular maintenance checklist will help you remember the little things that are important but easy to forget.

Photo Credits: NancyHugoCKD.com

Originally posted 2009-09-16 09:23:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1. Physical Structure –

The inspector will go through the foundations and all the exterior features of the home to see if there are any potential problems. They will also check for drainage and any other issues that may affect the home’s safety. By checking to make sure that everything is up to code, they can save you a significant amount of money on repairs.

2. Heating and Cooling System –

Many older homes will have heating or cooling systems that are incredibly out of date, or even possibly dangerous. It is very important to make sure that the inspector completely goes over the duct work, the furnace and the air conditioning unit, if any, before completing the inspection. If the home has a very out of date system, it may be subject to leaking and this can be very dangerous.

3. Plumbing System –

Once again, older homes may not have the best plumbing in the world. If the owners did not keep up on regular repairs, you can be stuck with pipes that leak into the walls, or even lead pipes that can cause a health risk. The inspector will check the materials of the pipes as well as their integrity.

4. Electrical System –

This can definitely be a major problem with many older homes, especially the ones that were built at the turn of the century. It is no easy task to rewire an older home and it is very costly. Your inspector will make sure that all of the wiring is up to code and that it is not dangerous to operate. For example, if the lights dip when something is plugged in, this is a very bad sign and could be the cause of a dangerous fire if the wiring gets too hot.

5. Interior Construction –

The inspector will also go over the interior of the house to check for water damage, or out of code features that might endanger the new inhabitants of the house. They will be looking for mildew and mold as well as other potential health hazards during their inspection.

You can save tens of thousands of dollars by spending the money on an inspector before purchasing a house. We always recommend that the buyer hire the inspector instead of letting the home owners do it, to make sure that there are no problems with the results. Before you close on any property, have it completely inspected and wait for the report.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-08-21 05:25:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1 - Find a warm pair of socks.

Sounds silly, but feet that are cold will send that feeling all over the body. Making a point to wear socks or slippers around during the cold days. If you are still feeling cold, you can add layers and bundle up.

2 - Make use of the heat that is available.

There are activities that you can do which generate warmth around the house. Cooking a meal or taking a shower are simple ways to get heat. Keeping the door open while taking a shower will allow the steam to escape into the rest of the house, putting some of that excess heat to better use. Just be sure not to turn on the ventilation fan, as it will remove the precious heat you are creating.

3 - Trim the thermostat by two or three degrees.

You will not really notice the change until you get your bill, when you notice that you have shaved up to ten percent off of your heating bill. If you will be leaving the home for several hours, it can also save you money to turn the thermostat down.

4 - Turn down the water heater.

This is another adjustment that can be hard to notice. Turning down the water heater will save as much energy as the thermostat adjustment.

5 - Upgrade the thermostat.

Buy a programmable thermostat, typically costing no more than $100. That money will be made back when the thermostat will only heat the home while you are home, setting the temperature lower for when you are at work or sleeping.

6 - Keep the heat that you have.

Make sure that doors and windows are shut. Leaving them open will let heat out and make the system work much more harder than it has to. If you have a fireplace, make sure to keep the flue closed and that glass doors covering the fireplace are closed. Also make sure that ventilation systems are turned off when they are not needed.

7 - Get a home physical.

Just as you go in for a check up every year, you should call a professional to come in and make sure proper maintenance is performed on your systems. This will ensure that your systems are running efficiently and in a most cost effective manner. You should also make sure that all filters are clean.

8 - Cover your windows when it is dark.

With out the sun working to heat the home from the outside, uncovered windows will let heat out of the home. Conversely, have windows open during the day to let heat into the home.

9. Examine your home from the outside.

Check your heating unit, making sure that anything that is up against it is removed and prevented from blocking air flow. Use a hose to clear off dirt and debris from the unit. If there is excess water, there may be a condensate drainage problem.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2009-01-30 05:58:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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When the proper safety precautions are taken, and when you have the right tools, you can fix your own roof. However, some leaks may require professional assistance, and it may be cheaper in the long run to have someone do it for you. Before you step one foot on your roof, carefully consider all of your options and put your safety first.

The first step to take when fixing your roof is to determine where the leak is and where the water is coming from. In some cases, the leak may not even be from the roof at all, such as when air conditioning lines leak. The first place to look are skylights and the flashing around your roof. Commonly, flashing around the chimney is the first place that leaks start since this can be blown off in bad weather.

If you are noticing water stains on your ceilings, the leaks may be harder to trace. The first step is to access either the attic or the crawlspace. You should be able to have a better idea of the origination of the leak from there. If you have several leaks, it may take a lot more time to track down each spot that is causing the problem.

Once you have determined the location of the leak, it’s time to head up to the roof to start fixing it. One leak will usually not require replacing the entire roof, and it is best to try to spot fix first before going to the extra trouble and expense of replacing a roof. Before you go up, you’ll need to have the right tools at your disposal. Purchase extra flashing to match what you already have, and have extra pieces of your roofing material ready to go.

You will also need a hammer, screwdrivers and a staple gun, depending on the type of roofing material you have. Access your roof safely and inspect the material and flashing. You should also take a look at the flashing by your gutters, since this is another trouble area. Once you have found the exact spot of the leak on the roof, you can better evaluate what needs to be done. Take your time and make sure that you do the job right to avoid having to go back up to re-fix what you might have missed.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-08-28 05:20:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Hiring a contractor or real estate professional for home maintenance will enable problems with the roof, crack in the wall and other bad risks to be caught and dealt with will costs are kept low. With out regular inspections, a repair need could strike, leaving you with a lot less money. Preventative maintenance will cost money, but not nearly as much as a repair that is missed.

Regular inspection is easy. You will find that some components will need more or less frequency. A home journal makes it easy to keep track of home maintenance and when inspections are due for various parts of the home. Home owners should have professionals at the ready to inspect their home, as trying to inspect a home one's self is risky.

Elements of home inspection should include the following points, first concerning the exterior of the home. The roof of your home should be checked for damage. Items on the roof should be checked for proper insulation and support. Tree branches should be cut if they are on the roof. Gutters should be clear and with no rust. The seam of the down spout should be checked. Cracks and separation should be looked for on exterior walls. Wooden walls should be inspected for loose boards. The foundation is checked for cracks and damage. Windows and doors should be checked for replacement of glass or locks.

With the interior, all electrical connections should be handled by a trained electrician; otherwise, improper wiring could lead to issues later on. The fuse box should always be checked for proper fuses. Grounded earth cables should be checked and loose cables should be connected to the correct terminals. Cooling and heating should be inspected with the coming seasons, making sure there is no leakage, and any other heating or cooling equipment should be checked. The plumbing within the home should be cleaned out periodically, and leakages checked for by a trained plumber. Toilets should be checked as well.

A home builder will be able to inform as to the various areas of the home which should be inspected. Always hire specialists to check the various areas of the home. There are many other areas of the home which should be checked, and there are also regional issues to take into consideration. Homes in hurricane alley should have a lower center of gravity; homes in wet areas should check for flooding and water damage, and so on.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2009-02-16 05:12:44. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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