Maintenance Tips
January
- Grab a screwdriver and wander the entire house, tightening
loose screws on doors, drawers, cabinetry and furniture.
- Conduct a home inventory for insurance purposes. 1. Walk through
the house and garage and record all your belongings with a camera
or camcorder. 2. Store these photos or videotapes in another
place, like the in-laws' house or a safe-deposit box.
- Clean the range-hood filter. Grease buildup can damage the
fan motor and plug the ductwork and can be a fire hazard when
pan frying. Twice a year, run the filter through the dishwasher
and clean the fan blades.
Febuary
- Check around washer, fridge and dishwasher for leaks, and
replace hoses if they show signs of wear and (worse) tear.
- Pull fridge and freezer away from walls and vacuum condenser
coils so that the appliances cool more efficiently. Have cats
or dogs? Then do this twice a year.
- Inspect grout and caulk around tubs, sinks and showers. Chip
out and replace if seals are cracked or missing to keep water
from seeping into walls or under floors.
March
- Call to arrange an annual central airconditioner service visit
in April. You'll save as much as $100 by calling before hot
weather hits.
- Assemble (or review) your family's disaster supply kit. First-aid
gear; battery-operated radio; canned juices; visit redcross.org
for a complete list.
- Storing firewood close to a back door for the winter freeze?
Move the wood at least 30 feet away from the house. It can attract
termites in warm weather.
- Check basement sump pump before spring rains to make sure
it'll work in the event of flooding. DIY tip: Pour water into
the pump silo to raise the float and activate the motor.
April
- Eyeball house's brick and mortar for cracks or crumbling from
winter freezes. Fill gaps as needed. (While you're at it, check
walkways and driveways for similar freeze damage.) Costs: Pro,
at least $200 a day. DIY, find instructions at quikrete.com
and bonsal.com.
- Replace batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when
clocks spring forward for daylight saving time. (In 2007, DST
moves to March.)
- Inspect crawl space or basement floors and walls after heavy
rains for water stains or pooling. Portable dehumidifiers ($50
to $75) can help dry out spaces in some cases. If damp conditions
persist, call a contractor.
May
- Order firewood for next winter. You can often buy it for less
this time of year. Plus, the extra months of summer will help
season the wood. Unseasoned, it can lead to chimney fires.
- Do you need pest control? Inspect the ground around foundation
walls for signs of termites, such as tunnels or dirt bridges.
Contact an exterminator if you suspect termites or other bug
problems.
- Examine outdoor wood structures -- posts, railings, windowsills
-- for signs of deterioration, especially rot. Use a very sharp
awl to probe for soft spots.
June
- Weekend project! Clean and seal wood decks during a sunny
stretch. When the deck is dry, apply deck cleaner and scrub;
next day, apply deck sealer. Also, if nails are popping up,
consider replacing them with galvanized screws.
- Schedule annual chimney cleaning (every two years if you don't
use your fireplace frequently). The cost is typically lower
about now: $30 to $50 for an inspection; $60 to $130 for cleaning.
- Replace air-conditioning and heating filters to boost energy
efficiency. At least twice a season. The cost is $10 to $25
a dozen.
- Hose down your house's exterior. Wash away grime with an ordinary
garden hose and a mild detergent. (Pressure-washers can harm
exterior finishes.) Be on the lookout for winter damage to siding.
July
- Inspect roof eaves for water stains (a sign of leakage). Use
binoculars if necessary. Also scan for: 1. Cracks in roofing
tiles 2. Loose or missing shingles or loose granules on asphalt
shingles 3. Shifting of metal flashing in roof valleys and around
chimneys 4. Cracked skylights and 5. Nests in power fans
- Dispose of old oil-based paints and solvents. They're too
flammable to store. Check with local agencies on disposal rules.
- Got a septic tank? Have it inspected annually for, uh, leakage
issues and get it pumped out every three to five years. The
cost is $50 to $150 to inspect; $150 to $175 to pump
August
- Call your heating service and schedule an annual checkup for
your heating system before the busy fall season kicks in. The
cost is $60 to $150.
- Clean gutters. Check for damage, and use a hose to flush summer
debris from downspouts. Consider adding leaf guards that allow
leaves to slide off easier. Costs start at $60 for a 2,200-squarefoot
home.
- To prevent drain clogs that'll require a plumber (or worse),
remove drain traps under sinks and wipe their innards clean.
Do this twice yearly. An easy how-to guide can be found at mrrooter.com.
September
- Vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters and cold-air returns
to aid heating system air flow.
- If you don't remove and store window ACs, then cover with
plastic to protect them during winter and prevent heated air
from escaping your home.
- Weekend project! If winter brings snow and ice your way, apply
a coat of epoxy to the garage floor to help prevent road salt
from eating holes in the concrete. Costs: Rust-Oleum garage
floor kit: $60
- Drain and refill hot-water heater once a year to keep it fully
functional. Also: 1.Test the water heater's temperature/ pressure
relief valve, as shown in the manufacturer's instructions. 2.
If little or no water flows out or the relief valve doesn't
shut off, replace it as soon as possible. Costs: Pro, $60 to
$150 DIY, Search for "water-heater maintenance" on diynetwork.com.
October
- Examine weatherstripping and caulk around doors and windows.
Replace worn or damaged material that's no longer blocking air.
It'll cost about 45˘ a foot
- A tip for the twice-a-year switcheroo from window screens
to storm windows (and vice versa): For the items going into
storage, label them with room descriptions, so you can re-install
them faster next time.
- Time again for new batteries in smoke and CO detectors when
clocks fall back (In 2007: November.)
November
- Clean gutters and downspouts again. Also, trim tree branches
and shrubs that touch the house to prevent storm damage and
discourage squirrel visits.
- Turn off outside water supply. Store hoses. If your sprinkler
system is below ground and your area freezes in winter, have
a pro "blow out" any water. That will cost $50 to $150.
- Lubricate garage door rollers with light oil to avoid the
dreaded wintertime stickies. (Test safety features too, such
as automatic stops.)
- Throughout the house, lightly lube locks and hinges on windows
and doors.
December
- Review family's fire-escape plan with the whole household.
Check pressure and expiration date on fire extinguishers. A
new extinguisher is $10 to $50, depending on size.
- Look inside bathroom vanities and kitchen-sink cabinets for
moisture and other signs of leakage. Inspect pipes for condensation
or slow drips.
- Check clothes dryer vents and hoses for lint buildup that
can cause a fire. Clean if necessary. Costs: Pro, about $130
for a thorough cleaning, DIY, about $40 for a brush-and-rod
tool like the LintEater (Go to linteater.com). A similar rig
can be found at a good hardware store.
- End the year with a little extra financial protection: Pay
January's mortgage bill before Dec. 31 so that you can deduct
more interest from the year's tax return.
Now That... I Didn't Know!
*A sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide
a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed. (hmmmmmm...)
*Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them
neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.
*For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and
put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They
won't refreeze. (wish I had known this for the last 40 years!)
*To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer
for a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside
down. The wax will fall out.
*Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped
in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!).
*Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt
BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.
*Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair
of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to
throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that
this would be much more economical. Now a box of S.O.S pads last me
indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get 'sharpened'
this way!
*Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen
peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works
every time! (Now, where to put the body?) LOL
*Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal
for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks.
Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash
windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably
streak.
*Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a
lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on. Make
sure the light if off and cold when you spray it on.
*Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes
will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this
with towels and linen.
*Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least
3 hours prior to burning.
*To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and
add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the
dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new!
Works like a charm!
*To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop
or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring
to a boil on stove top.
*Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring
in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.
*Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and
it will keep for weeks.
*When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring
out the corn's natural sweetness.
*Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on your
forehead. The throbbing will go away.
*Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for
future use in casseroles and sauces ......... Left over wine? What's
that? :)
*To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the
area and you will experience instant relief.
*Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross
a chalk line. So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor
or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.
*Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better
still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
*When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting
to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter,
and then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly
and easily.
*Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer........
*Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes,
brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous
China.
*Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or
cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.
*Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water
and immerse the jewelry for two minutes. *Clean a thermos bottle.
Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and
let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary). *Unclog a drain.
Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the
drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes,
and then run the hot water.
**credit goes to Vince Bankoski, RRAR VP of Operations
