Now that it looks like Winter has finally released its grip in central Maryland, here are some chores that should be on your to-do list for the upcoming few weeks:
Maintain the Drain
One of the major causes of damage to a house is water infiltration. Your house should have systems in place to channel rainwater away from the house, and these need to be maintained.
This gutter is long overdue for cleaning out!
- Clean out gutters and inspect them for damage
- Check the roof for missing or loose shingles
- Make sure downspouts are free of debris
- Check that all downspouts have properly positioned splash blocks.
- Make sure any exterior drain grates are free of debris
Prepare the Pipes
Make sure that water flows where and when you want it to.
This hose bib isn't secured in the wall, leaving gaps for infiltration by air, water and critters.
- Turn on water to outside hose bibs and check for any leaks.
- Make sure water heater temperature is lower than 120 degrees.
- Check all hoses for cracks, leaks or pinholes.
Keep the Critters Out
Warmer weather means more insects, birds and other critters. Take the time to make sure they won’t set up housekeeping within your walls!
This gap in the brick siding has already become a nesting spot.
- Trim shrubbery so it doesn’t touch the house
- Check soffit vents for any holes or tears
- Check ridge vents for holes or tears
Clogged dryer vents cause fires!
- Check dryer vent outlet for debris or bird damage (it’s a favorite spot for nesting); clogged vents are the culprit in up to 30% of house fires. Read more about dryer vent safety.
- Clear dead branches from the roof and around the house
Plan on Energy Savings
The summer heat will be upon us before we know it, so now’s the time to prepare for it.
Clogged air filters rob your furnace of efficiency.
- Get your air conditioning system serviced now, before the rush.
- Change the air filter
- Check the attic insulation; adding more now will help keep your cooling bills down.
- Check for drafts with a stick of incense; caulk any gaps. Here’s how to check for drafts.
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent (the newer bulbs are much better in mimicking the warmer incandescent light)
Be Mindful of Safety Issues
The warmer months mean lots of indoor and outdoor activity. Make preparations now to ensure that you’ll be safe this summer!
This deck railing is already pulling away from the wall and is a major safety hazard.
- Check all railings for stability. This includes interior stair railings, deck rails, and bathroom grab bars.
- Check your smoke detectors; you should have replaced the batteries when you changed your clocks to daylight savings time. However, if they are nearing 10 years old, it’s time to replace them.
- Add a Carbon Monoxide detector near sleeping areas.
Time for a Check Up?
Inspections by Bob does Maintenance Check-Ups! If you’ve been in your house for seven or more years, it’s definitely time for a check-up. Just like people, houses change over time as they age, and it’s important to make sure all the systems are working properly. Find out more about Maintenance Check-Ups!
RecallChek© is the first service for consumer recalls in the United States. RecallChek© has compiled over 195 million recalls from the public records, and created a fail-safe system to check for dangerous flaws with home appliances.
