Maintenance Reminders

Fall Season Maintenance

As the Fall weather approaches you can take a few key steps to ensure your home serves you well through the coming months. Please take time to check these items in and around your home and attend to any that need maintenance.

Clean and test smoke alarms
Test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) breakers
Change or clean the furnace filter
Operate the heating system
Adjust registers and confirm that cold air returns are clear of furniture or draperies
Clean the humidifier per manufacturer’s instructions
Adjust or replace weatherstripping on exterior doors as needed
Check the fit of exterior doors; thresholds are adjustable–use a quarter to turn the screws
Check caulking, inside and out, and touch up
Review safe fireplace operation. Provide professional cleaning at regular intervals
Check garage overhead door, tighten bolts as needed, and lubricate springs with motor oil. Have other repairs done by professionals
Check foundation, concrete, and yard for settling; fill in as needed for positive drainage
Inspect downspouts and splash blocks for proper drainage away from home
Rake and compost leaves
Seed and feed lawn.
Winterize sprinkler system
Inspect dryer vent for lint and debris
Disconnect garden hoses/connections to any ext. hose bibs

Maintenance Reminders

Winter Season Maintenance

As colder weather approaches you can take a few key steps to ensure your home serves you well through the coming months. Please take time to check these items in and around your home and attend to any that need maintenance.

Clean and test smoke alarms
Test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) breakers
Change or clean the furnace filter
Operate the heating system
Adjust registers and confirm that cold air returns are clear of furniture or draperies
Clean the humidifier per manufacturer’s instructions
Adjust or replace weatherstripping on exterior doors as needed
Check the fit of exterior doors; thresholds are adjustable–use a quarter to turn the screws
Check caulking, inside and out, and touch up
Drain your sprinkler system
Remove hoses from exterior faucets. “Freeze proof” faucets will suffer a broken water line if the water in the hose freezes and expands into the pipe
Inspect chimney for nests
Review safe fireplace operation. Provide professional cleaning at regular intervals
Check garage overhead door, tighten bolts as needed, and lubricate springs with motor oil. Have other repairs done by professionals
Clean gutters, check downspouts; confirm that splashblocks drain away from the house
Check foundation, concrete, and yard for settling; fill in as needed for positive drainage
After snowfall, brush snow off gutters and away from downspouts
Remove ice and snow from concrete as soon as possible; avoid using de-icing agents with damaging salts
On pleasant days, open windows to allow house to breathe
Decorate safely for the holidays. Do not overload circuits or use worn extension cords

Maintenance Reminders

Spring Season Maintenance

As spring approaches you can take a few key steps to ensure your home serves you well through the coming months. Please take time to check these items in and around your home and attend to any that need maintenance.

Clean and test smoke alarms
Test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) breakers
Change or clean the furnace filter
Operate the air-conditioning system; if service is needed it is more conveniently arranged before the busiest part of the season arrives
Adjust registers and confirm that registers and cold-air returns are clear of furniture or draperies
Make certain the air-conditioner compressor is level and clear of debris
Turn the humidifier off
Pour water down the basement floor drain. As drain water evaporates, sewer odors can seep into the house
Inspect grout around tile (floor or wall) and touch up
Wash windows and screens, clean weep holes, and lubricate tracks
Check caulking, inside and out, and touch up
Check garage overhead door, tighten bolts as needed, and lubricate springs with motor oil. Have other repairs done by professionals
Start and adjust sprinkler system. Test exterior faucets for broken pipes
Clean gutters and confirm that downspouts or splash blocks drain away from the house
Look for settling of back fill soils and fill in where needed
Check exterior paint and stain surfaces (especially stained doors) and refinish as needed
Plan your first barbecue