Like it or not, home maintenance is part of home ownership. Through constant use, our homes start to show wear and tear. Without proper, regular maintenance, your home will start having problems that could lower your bank account as well as the value of the home. Often times preventative scheduled home maintenance can save you money and time.
It is important to set up a maintenance schedule in order to prevent costly repairs later on. Old Republic Home Warranty Company has put together an "Owner's Manual" designed to help you with the upkeep of your home. Here's a list of items from that manual that you should check monthly:
Safety
It is important to check the following safety items monthly:
- Fire extinguishers
- Garage door opener(s)
- GFCI receptacles and breakers
- Smoke detectors-check the batteries
- Carbon monoxide detectors-to ensure you have fresh batteries
Plumbing
- Check all plumbing fixtures and all appliance that use water for leaks
- Grind up a cut-up lemon and then 2-3 cups of ice in the garbage disposal to clean and keep blades sharp
- Clean pop-up sink and tub strainers
- Pour a mixture of baking soda, white vinegar, and boiling water down drains to keep them running freely
- Pour water down seldom-used drains
- Drain a few gallons of water from the valve at the base of the water heater to remove sediment and extend the life
- Clean faucet aerators and shower heads with a soft brush to remove mineral build-up
Appliances
- Clean refrigerator drain pan
- Clean dishwasher food filters and check that openings in spray arms are clear
- Check dishwasher for leaks
- Clean kitchen exhaust fan filters
Heating and Cooling
- Check furnace or cooling filter, replace if necessary. Most recommend changing the filter once a month, especially in dusty Arizona.
If you would like a personal copy of Old Republic Home Protection's "Owner's Manual" please email me at cinda@wvhometeam.com.
