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 Taking
time to do preventive maintenance will make your home safer and save you money
by keeping your home in working order. There's a good deal of physical work and
a knowledge of mechanicals needed to complete these lists. So, if you are unable
to do all the work yourself, ask or hire someone to help you.
This section is a series of lists to help you along with regular home maintenance.
Maintenance
Tools & Materials
Most home maintenance projects will require only a few simple tools. Here are
a few that you may find useful. - adjustable
wrench
- slip-joint
pliers
- utility
knife
- regular
screwdriver
- phillips
head screwdriver
- drain
auger (plumber's snake)
- flashlight
- shop-grade
vacuum cleaner
- power
washer/sprayer
- buckets
& heavy-duty sponges
- tri-sodium
phosphate (TSP)
- caulk
gun & caulk
- 6'
step ladder & extension ladder
- work
gloves & rubber gloves
Monthly
Safety Tests
 Make your home safer by inspecting these items monthly and keeping them
up-to-date. - automatic
garage door opener
- ground
fault interrupter receptacles and circuit breakers
- smoke
alarms
- inspect
and lubricate (if needed) windows for emergency exits
- carbon
monoxide detectors
- general
inspection of heating unit and water heater
Emergency
Items
Write down this important information about your home and keep it accessible in
case of an emergency. If you can't find or operate any of these items,
ask someone knowledgable to help. All adults in the home should know where
these items are and how to shut them off: - heating
fuel main shutoff
- main
electrical shutoff (service panel, a.k.a fuse/breaker box):
- main
water shutoff
- fire
extinguishers
- main
drain line cleanout
NOTE:
Some people recommend "exercising" all fuel, electric and water shutoff
valves and switches (turning them "off" and then "on") to ensure that they don't
get stuck open. Some fuel valves are difficult to turn, so you may want to keep
a wrench nearby. Fall
(and Spring) Chores
 No matter where you live, seasonal changes in temperature and moisture
levels require special maintenance tasks. Fall and Spring cleaning are necessary
to maintain a house's appearance and keep it in good condition.
- close and
drain hose bibs (fall), open hose bibs (spring)
- rake
debris away from side of house and other structures
- clean
out gutters and downspout elbows
- check
gutters, downspouts, and roof penetrations for leaks
- treat
wood gutters (fall)
 check
and repair caulk (if needed) around exterior surfaces (fall) - note
any cracks in foundation, brick or stucco
- hose
off house exterior (spring)
- scrub
mildewed areas of house exterior and treat for mildew and fungus on decks (spring)
- clean
gaps between deck boards above joists
- clean
around air conditioner compressor
- trim
any trees or shrubs that touch house
- inspect
and replace (if needed) weatherstripping
- inspect
and repair (if needed) screens
- inspect
and clean (if needed) storm window weep holes
- clean
out under decks and porches
- inspect
and repair (if needed) glazing compound
- clean
out basement window wells
- examine
septic system drain field for flooding, odor; have tank pumped yearly
Monthly
Interior Jobs
 These are some monthly jobs that should be done to keep appliances and
mechanicals working properly. Doing so will likely extend the life and performance
of each item. - inspect
and clean faucet aerators and shower heads
- clean
frost-free refrigerator drain pan
- inspect
dishwasher for leaks
- clean
kitchen exhaust fan filters
- grind
ice cubes in disposer
- check
and replace (if needed) heating system air filter
- drain
1-2 gallons of water from water heater
- maintain
drains with baking soda or hot water, not with chemical drain openers
- pour
water down unused drains
- inspect
visible foundation areas, pipes, vents and ducts
Annual
Interior Chores
 At least once a year, these items need to be checked. It's important
to properly check the fireplace and combustion appliances by fall, because the
house is "sealed up" in the winter and not much fresh air enters in.
- clean
and seal tile grout
- inspect
plumbing shutoff valves
- inspect
toilets for stability
- "exercise"
circuit breakers
- vacuum
smoke alarms
- vacuum
heating registers, vents, ducts, radiators
- inspect
fireplace flues for "glassy" creosote buildup and have flues cleaned regularly
- inspect
fireplace firebrick and mortar for cracks and deterioration, patch small cracks,
but large ones require professional repair
Heating/Cooling
& Hot Water Systems
 Most heating system maintenance should be done twice a year, once
before the heating season and once before the cooling season.
- general
furnace inspection: look for rust, scaling on heat exchanger, proper flame color,
note odd sounds or smells and check condition of venting
- test
for proper drafting at furnace and/or water heater diverter, examine flue for
leaks, rust, damage
- examine
pressure-temperature relief valve for leaking, and test, if desired
- arrange
for appropriate regular servicing and cleaning of combustion appliances
- drain
hot water system expansion tank
- check
hot water system water level (pressure)
- bleed
hot water system radiators
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