Home Maintenance Tips You Can't Afford to Ignore
Article by: Ian White
Without a doubt, buying a home , Construction Of Swamp Coolers can be the largest investment you'll ever make. With the average home , Budget Kitchen Remodeling Ideas costing approximately $190,000, many homeowners take great pains to ensure that all cosmetic and structural repairs , Rubber Roofing are attended to. However, the truth is that many expensive repairs , Here's What a Jacuzzi Will Do For You could be avoided by simply sticking to a routine maintenance schedule. Routinely checking your home , How to Design a Lighting Plan for emerging problems will prevent larger, more expensive problems that leave homeowners scrambling for a quick repair"ā€¯rather than a cost-effective one. Clearly, regular home , Hot Tubs: Without A Shadow Of A Doubt Guarantee Relaxation When You Dip Your Feet Into The Water! maintenance is something you can't afford to ignore.
When to Inspect
Spring is a good time to begin assessing your home , The Pros and Cons of Ceiling Speakers for any damage or repairs , Kit Homes: Popular for Over a Century that need attending to. A good rule of thumb is to check your home , Rubber Roofing at the same time you change , How to Design a Lighting Plan your fire alarm , Kit Homes: Popular for Over a Century batteries"ā€¯at the beginning (spring) and end (fall) of daylight saving's time. Doing so will ensure that minor repairs , Gas or Electric Cookers? Which Is Best? don't turn into major expenses. Some components of your home , Log Cabin Design - 5 Design Tips to Consider may require less-frequent monitoring (foundation), and some may require more (changing the furnace filter). However, taking a walkthrough of your home , Commercial Carpet Cleaning - Why and How to Choose a Reputable Service twice yearly is a good rule of thumb to begin with.
Who Should Inspect
If you feel unqualified to asses every crack and unidentified water , MPs Champion Anti-scalding Campaign leak in your home, , Finding The Best Whole House Humidifier Out There feel free to hire a handy man. Not only will he be able to spot any problems, but he can also advise on repairs , 5 Steps for Creating a Garage You Can Love – and Use and costs right on the spot. Do you want a thorough evaluation? Hire a home , Conservatory Companies - Making the Right Choice inspector. Do keep in mind, however, that home , Carpet Cleaners: 12 Tips To Remove Stains inspectors cost much more (around $300) and may not necessarily find every problem.
In most instances, though, simply paying attention to your home , Here's What a Jacuzzi Will Do For You is all it takes to spot any emerging problems. For example, if your toilet runs all the time, chances are it needs to be repaired. Have you noticed that your doors , Finding The Best Whole House Humidifier Out There don't shut properly anymore? That could be a sign of foundation settling or warping. Simply making a list of things around your home , Commercial Carpet Cleaning - Why and How to Choose a Reputable Service that seem "off"Ā¯ can make your inspection process much easier. No matter what your plans, , Choosing A Linoleum Floor For Your Home the following items are a good place , Commercial Carpet Cleaning - Why and How to Choose a Reputable Service to start when evaluating the condition of your home:
Exterior Items
Chimneys:
Check chimneys , Here's What a Jacuzzi Will Do For You for loose or deteriorating bricks or mortar. Make sure that metal chimneys , Hammocks Create a Stress Free Zone are rust-free. A white, , Portable Air Conditioners - an Inexpensive Cooling Solution for
Your Home salty buildup on the chimney , Trex Decking Prices – Look Beyond The Price For The Ultimate Deck (efflorescence), indicates moisture , Where To Purchase Power Tools build-up, and should be checked out by a professional. It's a good idea to have your chimneys , Commercial Carpet Cleaning - Why and How to Choose a Reputable Service professionally cleaned and inspected on an annual , Hurricane Lamps - A Brief History basis, in addition to you own visual assessments.
Roofs:
Have a leak inside , How to Fix Your Groove! the house? Chances are it's your roof. , The Air Mattress of the Future is Here! Beyond that, look for chipped or missing , An In-Depth Review of Popular Air Purifiers shingles, or shingles that may be rubbed away by hanging tree , Choose Best Gas Grill and Cook Delicious Food limbs. Take this chance to trim trees , Applying Epoxy Coating to Your Garage Flooring up away from the shingles. Also make sure to check flashings, soffits, fascia, and any wood , How to Fix Your Groove! trim that comes in contact with the roof , Bathroom Mirrors; The Perfect Ensemble for rotting or peeling paint. , Here's What a Jacuzzi Will Do For You Touch up and repair , Portable Air Conditioners - an Inexpensive Cooling Solution for
Your Home as needed.
Gutters and Downspouts:
Clean out your gutters and downspouts twice a year to ensure that no leakage or damage occurs. In addition, you may want to place , Choose Best Gas Grill and Cook Delicious Food screens over your gutters (available at home , Choosing A Linoleum Floor For Your improvement stores) to prevent leaves and debris from entering the gutter system. Check for any places , Choosing A Linoleum Floor For Your Home that they may be pulling away from the house , Spa Covers: Why You Need One or leaking. If paint , Hurricane Lamps - A Brief History is deteriorating, now is a good time to touch up.
Exterior Walls , Cleaning Solution: Why We Need To Read The Label And Be Aware Of The Contents and Foundation:
Check for any cracks, deterioration, or peeling paint. , A Hardwood Floor For Your Home If foundation cracking is excessive, call , How to Design a Lighting Plan for a professional assessment. Otherwise, you can patch it yourself , Marble Floors with mortar patch (which can be piped in with a caulk gun).
Soil Grading:
Does water , Things to Consider When Purchasing Sunroom Kits seem to settle around the house"ā€¯rather than drain away? Check to make sure that the soil , Injection Molding-How Plastic is Molded slopes away from the house , Hot Tubs: Without A Shadow Of A Doubt Guarantee Relaxation When You Dip Your Feet Into The Water! (1 inch per 6 feet is recommended). If it doesn't, simply backfill with some topsoil until you reach the desired effect.
Doors and Windows:
Look for peeling or cracked caulk and weather , Conservatory Companies - Making the Right Choice stripping. These can easily be purchased at any home , Gas or Electric Cookers? Which Is Best? improvement store and repaired in a small amount of time. Clean out window , 10 Things to Consider When Remodeling Your Bathroom wells and check that windows , Cleaning Solution: Why We Need To Read The Label And Be Aware Of The Contents and doors , 10 Things to Consider When Remodeling Your Bathroom open, shut, and lock , Shop Online For A Top Quality Adjustable Air Mattress properly.
Porches, Decks, , Spa Covers: Why You Need One and Patios:
Sealing your wooden , Choosing Color Schemes: Colors and Physiological Response porches and decks , Spa Covers: Why You Need One on an annual , Marble Floors basis will help prevent against rotting and deterioration. Secure any wobbly rails or steps, and replace or treat any rotting or deteriorating wood. , How to get a Quotation of Estimation From a Contractor or Supplier for Home Decorating Check patios , Conservatory Companies - Making the Right Choice for cracks or settling, and repair , Engineered Wood Flooring as necessary.
Driveways and Sidewalks:
Check for cracking, and fill with concrete-patch as needed. Taking this time to seal your concrete , 10 Things to Consider When Remodeling Your Bathroom areas will help prevent any further cracking and deterioration.
Attics and Crawlspaces:
Inspect attics and crawlspaces for any signs of water , Log Cabin Home Design - 5 Design Tips to Consider leakage, and repair , A Hardwood Floor For Your Home as necessary. In addition, look for mildew, rot, and fungus growth. Repair , Finding The Best Whole House Humidifier Out There any loose or damaged insulation, and check that attic vents are functioning properly. Look for any signs of vermin, and treat as necessary by placing bait or traps"ā€¯or hiring a professional exterminator.
Electrical
Do you have outlets that are loose? Now is the time to have them replaced"ā€¯either by an electrician or yourself. , Cleaning Solution: Why We Need To Read The Label And Be Aware Of The Contents Check your main breaker panel for any signs of deterioration. Turn breakers on and off to make sure all are functioning properly, and check all fuses. Do you smell something burning? Call , Hurricane Lamps - A Brief History a professional. Also, take this time to check the ground fault circuit interrupters (usually around sinks and other water , A Hardwood Floor For Your Home elements) to ensure they function properly.
Heating and Air , Static Control Conditioning
Does your heating and air , The Mattress of the Future is Here! conditioning run non-stop? Now is the time to have it checked out. Having your air , Applying Epoxy Coating to Your Garage Flooring ducts cleaned by a professional will help your unit run more efficiently. Check the coils on the air , Home Energy Savings: New House Design and Energy Conservation conditioning unit for any bent or misshapen areas. Clear debris out of the fan blades before using.
Plumbing
Check outdoor , Carpet Cleaners: 12 Tips To Remove Stains faucets and supply lines for any signs of leakage. If you have a septic tank, take notice of any foul odors or signs of seepage in the yard. , Choosing Color Schemes: Colors and Physiological Response If you haven't had your tank emptied yet, do so now.
Take time to repair , The Air Mattress of the Future is Here! leaky faucets and caulk bathroom , Conservatory Companies - Making the Right Choice fixtures. Check toilets for any signs of leakage"ā€¯either from the tank or around the base. Check sump pumps , Spa Covers: Why You Need One to ensure proper function, and test the pressure relief valve on your water , An In-Depth Review of Popular Air Purifiers heater to ensure that it hasn't seized up.
Interior Items
Walls:
Look for any signs of mildew or water , Choosing Color Schemes: Colors and Physiological Response damage (yellow stains are usually a sign of water , MPs Champion Anti-scalding Campaign damage). Patch holes and cracks in the drywall, and touch up paint , An New Innovative Tool for Hanging Drywall as necessary. Monitor any significant cracks, as these could be a sign of foundation problems.
Ceilings:
As with walls, , Hammocks Create a Stress Free Zone take note of any mildew or water , An New Innovative Tool for Hanging Drywall stains, and repair , Outdoor living spaces extend your livable space and delight the senses. as needed. Look for drooping ceilings, and locate the cause to ensure proper repairs. , Here's What a Jacuzzi Will Do For You Monitor and repair , The Pros and Cons of Ceiling Speakers cracks.
Doors and Windows:
Open, close, and lock , Home Energy Savings: New House Design and Energy Conservation (where applicable) all doors , How to get a Quotation of Estimation From a Contractor or Supplier for Home Decorating and windows , Injection Molding-How Plastic is Molded to ensure proper functioning. Replace weathered caulk around windows , Here's What a Jacuzzi Will Do For You and check for any signs of moisture , Cleaning Solution: Why We Need To Read The Label And Be Aware Of The Contents infiltration (particularly in storm windows). Broken or loose knobs, latches, or handles should be repaired now.
While no homeowner can possible catch every problem before it develops into an expensive repair, , 10 Things to Consider When Remodeling Your Bathroom simply taking note of minor "fix-its"Ā¯"ā€¯and repairing them"ā€¯can help avoid many costly repair , Here's What a Jacuzzi Will Do For You bills in the future. Without a doubt, regular home , How to Fix Your Groove! maintenance is something no homeowner can afford to ignore.
Copyright Ā© 2006, Ian White White , Woodworking Tools - A Detailed Guide - EzineArticles Expert Author">
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