Home Checklist

Spring Checklist

Check foundation walls, floors, concrete, chimney, and masonry for cracking, heaving or deterioration.
Check roof for loose or missing shingles and all roofing cement for cracking.
Check wood surfaces for weathering and paint failure.
Check all decks, patios, porches, stairs and railings for loose members and deterioration.
Cut back and trim bushes and vegetation from structures and overhead electrical lines.
Check for any missing, loose or damaged shingles.
Have the septic tank cleaned every two (2) years.
Turn off humidifier for cooling season.
Clean fins on the AC’s outside condensing unit.
Clean gutters, strainers and downspouts.
Make sure downspouts divert water away from the foundation walls.
Check AC refrigerant lines for damaged or missing insulation.

Fall Checklist

Check grading for proper slope away from foundation walls. (1 inch per ft. for 10 feet)

Trim back all tree limbs and vegetation away from roof.

Check caulking for deterioration of all openings and joints of the exterior siding.

Check weather-stripping on doors and windows.

Monthly

Clean and change furnace filters every month of operation.
Test all smoke & carbon monoxide alarms periodically per manufactures instructions. (If there are no instructions tests monthly)
Test alarm system monthly.
Pour water down unused drains.
Clean kitchen exhaust fan filters.

Check for any evidence of water penetration in attic and ceilings after wet weather.

Have heating and cooling system serviced annually.

Trip circuit breakers every 6 months and GFCI’s monthly to insure proper protection.

If fuses blow or circuit breakers trip frequently, or any appliance sparks or shorts out, contact a licensed electrician for repairs.

Check ceilings and surfaces around windows for evidence of moisture during wet weather.

Check ceiling areas beneath bathroom for leaks.

Lubricate door hinges, rollers & guides on garage doors, & opener. (min 1 time year)

Check dryer vent for lint and debris.
Inspect and test automatic garage door opener auto-reverse mechanism and other safety features. (to manufacture specs or monthly)
In winter remove snow were excessive on roof and around roof vents.
Flush water heater once a year. (if you have an old water heater or the drain knob looks like it could break do not flush or flush with precaution)

Valuable info every homeowner should know.

Do not operate the AC until it has been 65 degrees for a minimum of 48 hours or if the power has been turned off for 24 hours. Doing so will damage the compressor. Also if the outside unit gets out of level by more than 10 degrees it will also damage the compressor.
For your family’s safety, the water heater should be adjusted to the lowest setting that provides sufficient hot water at showers and bathtubs. This is usually recommended to be no greater than 120 degrees. Water temperature above this can quickly cause second and third degree burns on adults. For Example 130 degrees can burn in 30 seconds; 150 degrees in only 1-2 seconds. Children and elderly even more quickly.
Make sure the air filter in your furnace is facing in the right direction. (there is in arrow that shows the direction of air flow)
Cleaning your lint trap in your cloths dryer may stop a fire. Lint buildup within the duct my start a fire and cleaning the lint trap regularly will help prevent this.
Learn where and how to shut off the main water shut off valve.
- Learn where and how to shut off the main gas valve and learn the location of all other gas shut off valves.
- Learn the location of electrical panel and how to disconnect the main power. Also label all circuits correctly with ink.
- Knowing where these shut offs are will help you be safer and prevent additional damage in case of an emergency.