Maintenance Calendar for Your Home and Yard
It's no secret that a maintenance routine keeps a house in working order and can prevent expensive repair work. Follow our calendar of chores for your house and yard - it's a handy checklist that explains what to inspect, what to look for, and how to do the job correctly.
Locate squeaky stairs, floors, doors and repair Maintain plumbing fixtures and water appliances i.e. aerators, garbage disposal, dish washer, clothes washer, water treatment system Clean refrigerator coils, range hood vent and clothes dryer vent Patch dings in wallboard and woodwork Plan your garden by studying seed catalogs
Check for signs of moisture condensation on the windows Inspect underside of roof for frost in the attic. Check sump pump and pour water into it so the float works; clean out any debris Clean out the refrigerator, freezer and oven/range. Inspect for water damage and install underlayment in wet tiled areas
Start a home maintenance file. Plan major remodeling or repair projects; assemble drawings, check out permit requirements and call contractors for bids. Inspect storm door and window screens and make repairs when needed. Inspect basement walls for seepage. Tune up and clean the blades of portable fans. Start seeds indoors. Maintain indoor air cleaner.
Inspect roof flashings for leaks and check roof for winter damage. Clean and seal wooden decks. Turn on outside spigot after last hard freeze. Wash windows, and wash and change storm windows to screens. Clean out fireplace or wood stove and stovepipe. Tune up bicycles, barbecue grill and other outdoor gear. Inspect, tune up and sharpen lawn and garden tools Order firewood for next season and stack.
Clean and service central or window air conditioners, attic fan and install window units. Clean out attic before hot weather arrives. Repair damage to porches, decks, i.e. loose nails or warped wood.
Clean interior of house: walls and woodwork, floors. Reset programmable thermostat for the summer. Clean and check awnings and outdoor furniture. Prune trees and shrubs before buds appear. Loosen turf and reseed; till soil in garden
Inspect crawl space for termite damage or water problems. Touch up peeling paint on the exterior of the house. Repair leaky faucets. Look around the house for pests and problems i.e. wasp and hornet nests; termite tunnels. Check the grading for settling or erosion, standing water, drainage problems to see that soil around the house drains away from it.
Hose down and wash siding. Flush out hot water tank. Trim shrubs around heat pump or air conditioner. Clean ceiling fan. Check window and patio doors for easy operation; lubricate track. Patch holes or dents in exterior finishes
Inspect siding and make repairs when necessary. Inspect heating system and maintain thermostat. Patch cracks in asphalt and seal driveway. Inspect and service garage door opener. Have the house treated to remove fleas while pets get a flea bath. Touch up exterior trim paint on garage, fence, shed.
Service furnace or boiler, and humidifier. Have a professional clean chimney; clean ash dump and make sure the damper closes tightly. Replace screens with storm windows and door panel Clean out the garage and remove anything that might freeze i.e. paint, caulks, adhesives from unheated sheds or garage. Install weather-stripping and caulk around doors and windows
Take out window air conditioners and cover central air conditioner. Winterize lawn mower and outdoor power equipment; if they need servicing, take them in. Remove the garden hose from outside spigot. Clean out roof vents. Maintain and reset the programmable thermostat
Apply fertilizer to lawn and flower beds. Divide and replant perennials. Plant bulbs. Clean and store garden hand tools.
Clean floor register grills. Tune up snow blower. Lubricate automatic garage door mechanism and inspect for wear. Paint high traffic areas like hallways or bathrooms. Gather twigs and branches and cut for kindling.
Check electrical system making sure bathroom, kitchen, garage and outdoor circuits are grounded and protected by GFCI. Protect pipes from freezing by insulating exposed ones and those susceptible to north winds. Inspect Christmas decorations and extension cords for outdoor display and repair as needed. Lay in a supply of sand, ashes or ground salt for icy sidewalks.
Stoffer
Inspections, L.C.
3910 W. 13th
Lawrence, Kansas 66049
(785) 766-0600 or 1-(800) 966-0601
Fax (785) 842-9267