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Monthly Home Maintenance
by Pillar to Post Home Inspectors
Maintenance performed regularly and on schedule provides optimum longevity and helps prevent potential breakdowns or malfunctions. Beyond maintenance procedures for operational sake, the primary (and most important) reason for checking, inspecting, and constantly tuning up your home is to ensure maximum safety for you and your family.
Make these tasks part of your monthly home maintenance schedule:
Home Maintenance Tips for Spring
by Pillar to Post Home Inspectors
1. Loose or leaky gutters can lead to drainage issues that can allow water into your basement or crawl space. Downspouts should be clear of debris and drain away from the foundation.
2. The grade around your home should be sloped away from the foundation to prevent water from pooling up and entering the home. Use compact soil to increase the grade so that water flows away from the foundation.
3. Check any wood trim surrounding windows, doors, railings, or decks for rot. This can easily be done by using a screwdriver to probe the material. You'll want to repair any trouble areas before the spring rains begin.
4. Examine the roof's shingles and flashing around skylights, vents, and chimney's from the ground. Missing or damaged shingles should be replaced.
5. The exterior of the chimney should be examined for signs of damage. Have the flue cleaned of debris from any winter fires you may have had in your fireplace.
6. Concrete slabs should be inspected for signs of movement or cracks. All exterior concrete should drain away from the home's foundation. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler. When weather permits, power-wash and then seal the concrete to increase longevity.
7. Check outside hose faucets for freeze damage. Turn the water on and place your thumb or finger over the opening. If you can stop the flow of water, it is likely the pipe inside the home is damaged and will need to be replaced. While you're at it, check the garden hose for dry rot.
8. Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor clean and service the outside unit of the air conditioning system. Clean coils operate more efficiently, and an annual service call will keep the system working at peak performance levels. Change interior filters on a regular basis.
Low water pressure at your faucet?
by Pillar to Post Home Inspectors
If your faucet has weak pressure for both hot and cold water it may just need the aerator cleaned. If you experience an irregular spray pattern or a stray stream of water going off at an odd direction you might also just need to clean the aerator.
First, close the drain so you don't lose any parts. The aerator is the assembly and screen water passes through as it leaves the spout. The part at the tip of the spout unscrews in a clockwise direction. Make sure both the spout and your hands are dry before trying to remove it with your fingers. You may need to use adjustable pliers if you can't unscrew it with your fingers. Protect the finish of the aerator assembly by wrapping a rubber band around it before applying the pliers.
Once you remove the aerator, disassemble it but make sure you keep the parts in order. You'll find the parts may have rust and/or buildup. Soak all the parts in white vinegar and brush them off with an old toothbrush. If the washer(s) have hardened, take it to your local hardware store to find a replacement and do the same for any broken parts.
Now reassemble the aerator and screw it back onto the faucet. Hand tightening is all you need to do. If water leaks around the aerator assembly, give it a small turn with the pliers.
The whole process may take 3-5 minutes, and you should notice better and more consistent water flow.
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