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Preventive Maintenance Tips for your Home-Part 4
By
Rocky Fremin of Freminshomeimprovement.com
Welcome
back to Rocky’s Corner! Last month we started Part 3 of an 8 part
series of Preventive Maintenance Tips for your Home when we
recommended maintenance tips to use every 6 months.
This month’s we will discuss tips for once year maintenance.
Every Year
SHUT-OFF VALVES:
- Review the location of all of the shut-off valves in
your home with all your family members so you will be prepared for
emergencies.
Whole-house
water shut-off valve: The main shut-off valve should be beside
the meter if you are on City water. If
you use a well, the shut-off valve will be on the house side of the
pressure tank. You should
also cut power to the tank.
Whole-house
hot water shut-off valve: There should be a valve on the hot
water outlet of the water heater, which controls all of the hot water to
the house.
Toilet
shut-off valve: Show your entire family how to shut off the
toilet by turning the ribbed oval handle under the tank if it ever starts
to overflow.
Sink
shut-off valve: You should have handles beneath the sinks or within
the cabinets; the one on the left is usually for hot water, the one on the
right for cold water.
Dishwasher
shut-off valve: Look under the kitchen sink for a reducer coupling and
shut-off valve leading to the dishwasher on the ½ inch hot water sink
supply line. It could also be between ceiling joists just below the
appliance if you have a basement.
Washing
machine: Valves are usually where the washer hoses meet the
house supply lines. However,
washer hoses are notoriously weak, so consider changing them routinely
every year or at least close the valves when leaving home for an extended
period of time.
Gas
hut-off valve: Identify location and show entire family how to
shut off.
Electrical
Panel/Breaker box: Identify location and show entire family how
to shut off main breaker in an emergency, or flip any circuits back on
after an overload.
GAS-FIRED,
FORCED-AIR CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS:
- Inspect the thermostat,
electrical components and controls.
Check the heat exchanger, flue, ducts, airflow and air fuel
mixture. Adjust the
burner and oil the motor and circulation fan.
- Arrange for service calls
before the start of heating and cooling season to get better attention
and have more flexibility when scheduling appointments.
HEAT
PUMP:
- Schedule an annual service
call to have a certified professional to inspect the wiring, check
belts and replace if needed, and oil the moving parts.
- Arrange for service calls before
the start of heating and cooling season to get better attention and
have more flexibility when scheduling appointments.
OIL-FIRED
BOILERS:
- Schedule an annual service call
for flue cleaning, a fuel-filter change cleaning and adjustment of the
jets.
- Arrange for service calls before
the start of heating and cooling season to get better attention and
have more flexibility when scheduling appointments.
FIREPLACES
AND CHIMNEYS:
- Have your wood burning fireplaces
and stoves inspected
annually and cleaned and repaired as required to prevent chimney fires,
carbon monoxide poisoning and mortar and flashing failure.
- Water leaks can also cause your
mortar to deteriorate prematurely. Consider
installing a chimney cap to protect your chimney from water, debris and
critters.
CLEAN
CARPETING, UPHOLSTERY AND DRAPERIES:
- Have your carpets, upholstery and
draperies cleaned regularly, once every 12 to 18 months to remove the dirt
and grit that can wear them out prematurely.
APPLIANCES:
-
Inspect appliance hoses and
ventilation according to the owners’ manuals.
-
Replace if necessary.
- Vacuum the coils behind your
refrigerator and freezer (found behind or under the appliance) to increase
energy efficiency.
GARAGE
DOORS:
-
Clean and lubricate hinges,
rollers, and tracks; tighten screws.
Join
me next month for Part 5 of our series on Preventive Maintenance
Tips for your Home. We will be discussing tips for every 2 years.
Visit us at www.freminshomeimprovement.com
Article: Preventive Maintance tips
for your home. by Rocky Fremin
Ó 2004 |
