General Maintenance

Safety:

• Inspect fire extinguishers to insure they are fully charged and check date codes.
• Check automatic garage door opener’s safety reverse.
• Test smoke detectors.
• Test Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters.

Heating & Cooling:

• Clean or replace air filters when the system is in use for heating or cooling.
• Vacuum heat registers, vents and radiators.
• Listen to your system for unusual noises.

Appliances:

• Drain water from bottom of the water heater.
• Grind ice cubes to clean garbage disposal. Flush with hot water and baking soda.
• Clean dishwasher strainer and spray arm.
• Clean range fan’s grease filter.
• Clean frost-free refrigerator’s drain and drain pan.

Plumbing:

• Pour water down unused drains.
• Clean debris from sink and tub drains.
• Inspect tub drain’s rubber seal and rinse.
• Clean faucet aerators and shower heads.

Exterior:

• Inspect roof materials & roof flashings.
• Clean & inspect gutters & downspouts or better yet, hire someone to clean them for you.
• Have a chimney sweep clean & inspect chimney after burning season ends.
• Inspect & clean siding.bullet Inspect vents, chimneys & other protected areas for bird & insect nests.
• Clean window & door screens. Repair or replace damaged screens.
• Inspect weather stripping around doors, windows & garage doors. Repair as necessary.
• Inspect caulking & re-caulk as necessary.
• Inspect foundation for cracks, moisture & insects.
• Clean debris away from home, utility equipment & other structures.
• Trim trees & shrubs away from home.bullet Inspect wood decks, steps & rails for loose or damaged boards & raised nails.
• Clean space between boards on wood decks, walks & steps.

Heating & Cooling:

• Have heat pump or air-conditioning system serviced before cooling season begins.

Appliances:

• Inspect water heater’s temperature pressure relief valve for signs of leaks or discharge.
• Replace smoke detector batteries. Vacuum around smoke detector & its sensor.

General Maintenance:

• Perform the monthly general maintenance tasks at the top of this page.

Exterior:

• Clean & lubricate garage door hinges, rollers & tracks. Tighten screws.
• Inspect paint & sealant on exterior & garage doors, particularly along bottom edge.

Interior:

• Inspect walls & ceilings for cracks, bows, sags & leans.bullet Clean & seal tile grout.

Appliances:

• Tighten garbage disposal’s drain connections & fasteners.
• Inspect dishwasher for leaks.
• Clean range fan blades & housing.
• Clean & test refrigerator door gasket.
• Vacuum refrigerator coils.
• Clean clothes washer’s water inlet filters. Inspect hoses for leaks.
• Vacuum lint from clothes dryer ducts & surrounding areas.

Plumbing:

• Inspect sinks & plumbing shutoff valves for leaks.
• Test toilets for stability & inspect for leaks.
• Inspect caulking around sinks, showers & bathtubs. Re-caulk as necessary.

Electrical:

• “Exercise” circuit breakers.
• Check for frayed appliance cords.

General Maintenance:

• Perform the monthly general maintenance tasks at the top of this page.

Exterior:

• Inspect roof materials & roof flashings.
• Clean & inspect gutters & downspouts.
• Inspect siding.
• Inspect caulking & re-caulk as necessary.
• Inspect foundation for cracks, moisture & insects.
• Clean debris away from home, utility equipment & other structures.
• Trim trees & shrubs away from home.
• Inspect wood decks, steps & rails for loose or damaged boards & raised nails.
• Clean space between boards on wood decks, walks & steps.
• Remove & store outdoor hoses.
• Drain water from outdoor faucets & pipes and turn off cut-off valves for hose bibs if needed.

Heating & Cooling:

• Clean ceiling fan blades.
• Clean bathroom exhaust fan grills & fan blades.
• Have heating system serviced before the heating season begins.

Appliances:

• Inspect water heater’s temperature pressure relief valve for signs of leaks or discharge.
• Replace smoke detector batteries.
• Vacuum around smoke detector & its sensor.

General Maintenance:

• Perform the monthly general maintenance tasks at the top of this page.

Exterior:

• Inspect roof after large winter storms.
• Inspect gutters and downspouts during a rain storm for leaks.
• Keep gutters clean of ice and debris.
• Check for drafts along doors and windows. Caulk and repair weather stripping if necessary.

Appliances:

• Tighten garbage disposal’s drain connections and fasteners.
• Inspect dishwasher for leaks.
• Clean range fan blades and housing.
• Clean and test refrigerator door gasket.
• Vacuum refrigerator coils.
• Clean cloths washer’s water inlet filters. Inspect hoses for leaks.
• Vacuum lint from cloths dryer ducts and surrounding areas.

Plumbing:

• Inspect sinks and plumbing shutoff valves for leaks.
• Test toilets for stability and inspect for leaks.
• Inspect caulking around sinks, showers & bathtubs. Re-caulk as necessary.

Electrical:

• “Exercise” circuit breakers.
• Check for frayed appliance cords.

General Maintenance:

• Perform the monthly general maintenance tasks listed at the top of this page.