Kitchen
Deep clean appliances
Do a deep clean of all kitchen appliances, including dishwashers, refrigerators, ovens and stove tops. Run the dishwasher with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack, then wipe down the interior. Wipe down all interior refrigerator surfaces and pull it away from the wall to vacuum the coils on the back of the unit. Deep clean the oven and run a self-cleaning cycle if available.
Cost: $10
Bathroom
Check for leaks
Inspect underneath the vanity, behind the toilet and around the tub or shower for active plumbing leaks and have these repaired. “If there are leaks underneath the sink, then you’ve got the perfect breeding ground for mold spores. You may not notice the mold growth for a while, so it’s important to check before major damage occurs,” Sacenti says.
Cost: Free
Recaulk tub
Inspect the existing caulk. If it is discolored or worn, remove it and replace it to prevent water from getting behind the walls.
Cost: $15
Clean and check the exhaust fan
Clean the exhaust fan cover with a damp cloth to remove dust buildup. Also, make sure it is working properly. “Turn it on and go outside to feel that air is coming out of the terminal,” Saltzman says “This checks for disconnected ducts or dampers that have been blocked by wasp or birds nests.”
Cost: Free
Basement
Check sump pump
If your basement has a sump pump, test that it’s working. “Sump pumps will fail without warning, so test it annually,” Saltzman says. “In a perfect world, have a back-up system or a water alarm to let you know it has failed.”
Cost: Free
Inspect for mold or moisture
Visually inspect your basement or crawl space for mold and check to ensure your dehumidifier is functioning properly.”Mold in a home often starts in the basement, then moves up through the house,” Sacenti says. ” A functioning dehumidifier is one of the best defenses against a moldy basement.”
Cost: Free
Look for evidence of termites
Termites can quickly cause serious damage to a home’s wood structures, so visually inspect your basement and look for signs of termite damage like mud channels on walls, swarms of flying termites or piles of discarded wings. Contact a pest control company if you see these signs around your home.
Cost: Free
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system
Service HVAC equipment
Furnaces, boilers and air conditioners should be professionally inspected and serviced each year. “Regular maintenance improves efficiency and reduces the potential for breakdowns,” Saltzman says. “Plus, a lot of manufacturers require annual maintenance to honor their warranty.”
Cost: $150 to $200
Laundry room
Clean dryer vent
Lint build-up in the duct poses a fire risk, so “it’s important to have your dryer duct cleaned annually,” Saltzman says. “Sometimes it’s a DIY project, other times it’s best to hire a professional, depending on your comfort level and the location of the duct.”
Cost: Free to DIY, $10 per linear foot for professional service.
Attic
Check for mold and moisture
Inspect the attic for signs of moisture and mold on the rafters and roof sheathing. “I go into attics that are covered in mold and the homeowner had no idea,” Sacenti says. “It’s good to poke your head up there once in a while.” If you see signs of mold, call a mold remediation company to assess the cause and determine a remedy.
Cost: Free
Check air vents
Roof air vents are critical to the longevity of your roof, as they allow hot air to escape from the attic. They also provide air circulation to prevent mold and moisture. You may have soffit vents, which can be blown out with a shop vac or air compressor. Visually inspect that the gable and box vents are free of debris and animal nests.
Cost: Free
Roof
Visually inspect for damage
Inspect your roof, looking for loose, broken or missing shingles or areas of moss, and repair damaged shingles or hire a roofing company. Gently scrape moss from the roof, then treat it with a mold-killing solution for roofs and give a final rinse. Pay for a professional roof inspection if you can’t see all of your roof from the ground.
Cost: Free
Clean gutters
“Keep your gutters clean, and use downspout extensions to move that water away from the foundation,” Sacenti says. To reach your gutters and remove debris, you’ll need a ladder, gloves and a trash bag. Consider hiring a pro if high ladder work is required.
Cost: Free if DIY’d, $1 per linear foot for professional service.
Deck
Clean and seal
Clean wood decks once a year with a deck cleaning product and a scrub brush or power washer. Let dry for 48 hours, sand with 80-grit sandpaper and apply a wood sealer. Painted or stained decks should not need to be refinished every year, but they will still benefit from a good cleaning with mild detergent and a hose.
Cost: $75 for a 12×12 deck.
Lawn/Garden
Fertilize, aerate and overseed
Aerate, fertilize and overseed your lawn each year in the fall to keep it looking its best. Aerate first, then fertilize in early fall. Wait a few weeks to overseed. Rent an aerator from a home center for the task.
Cost: $100 to $150 for aerator rental; $300 to $500 to fertilize and overseed an average lawn
Maintain lawn equipment
Sharpen lawn mower blades, change the oil in two-stroke engines, clean or replace the air filter and add gas stabilizer before storing lawn equipment for the winter.
Cost: $25
Winterize sprinkler systems and outside spigots
For sprinklers, turn off the main sprinkler water valve, shut off power to the sprinkler controller and blow out any remaining water from each line with an air compressor. Place some insulation in the valve box. For spigots, turn off the water valve, drain the spigot and cover with an insulated faucet cover.
Cost: $5 per faucet cover to DIY; $100 to $150 for professional services.
Driveway
Repair, clean and seal
Fill any driveway cracks with crack filler and repair damaged or sinking areas in your concrete or asphalt driveway. To protect and seal the surface, apply driveway sealer to asphalt driveways.
Cost: About 15 to 25 cents per square foot to DIY; 20 to 25 cents per square foot for professional services.
Garage
Lubricate the garage door
Wipe down the track with a clean rag. Apply lithium or silicone-based lubricant to the hinges, rollers, springs and the top rail and arm bar. Wipe off any excess and run the door up and down a few times to work the lubricant into all moving parts.
Cost: $10
About the Experts
- Reuben Saltzman is the owner and CEO of Structure Tech, a home inspection company in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
- Michael Sacenti owns American Healthy Homes. He has 10 years of experience in the mold remediation industry and 40 years experience in real estate maintenance.
The post The Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist for New Homeowners appeared first on Family Handyman.
Article source here: The Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist for New Homeowners
No comments:
Post a Comment