Home Maintenance and Repair

Home ownership comes with a substantial degree of responsibility—not only the responsibility of paying for this considerable investment, but that of keeping it in working order.

Much like your car, your home will come with its own specific set of needs and peculiarities. Following our Beat The Recession Tips can help you keep your home running properly and teach you how to fix some of the glitches that may turn up from time to time.

Taking some time to do a little research now about your home’s maintenance needs could save you thousands of dollars in repair costs and headaches. The tips in this section can teach you about some maintenance and repairs common to most homes, and what you should be doing (and when) to keep your home functioning properly year-round.

A Few Tips:
Remember to consider the region in which you live when you learn about your home’s maintenance requirements. If you live in a humid climate, for example, you might need to pay more attention to potential mold problems, whereas a homeowner in a particularly cold climate should be more focused on winter home maintenance.

a) Roof: Check roof and around vents, skylights and chimneys for leaks. Repair as necessary.

b) Attic: If there is no ridge vent, keep gable vents open year-round to ensure proper ventilation.

c) Gutters: Clean gutters and drain pipes so leaves won’t clog them and be sure they drain away from the house. (Fall: In cold-climate areas) Drain outside faucets.

d) Fireplace: Clean fireplace of ashes. (Fall) Check chimney for loose or missing mortar. Have chimney professionally cleaned. Make sure damper closes tightly. (Spring) Leave damper open for improved ventilation if the home is not air-conditioned

e) Filters: Remember to clean or replace filters once a month, or as needed. Check and clean dryer vent, air conditioner, and stove hood and room fans. Keep heating and cooling vents clean and free from furniture and draperies.

f) Safety Equipment: Ensure that all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers.
h) are in good working order. Replace batteries in appropriate devices as needed, or at least twice each year.
i) Air Conditioner: (Fall: In cold-climate areas) Remove window air-conditioners, or put weatherproof covers on them.

j) Refrigerator: Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily, the latch may need to be adjusted or the seal may need to be replaced. In addition, if you have a coil-back refrigerator, vacuum the coils at least twice each year. Your refrigerator will run more efficiently with clean coils. Also, stock up! A full refrigerator uses less energy than an empty one.

k) Faucets: Check for leaky faucets in kitchen and bathroom(s). Replace washers as necessary.

l) Windows and Doors: Seal doors and windows. If you added up all of the small cracks where heating and cooling escapes from a home, it would be the same as having a window open. Replace seals as needed.

m) Storm Windows and Screens: (Fall) Take down screens (if removable type) and replace with storm windows. (Spring) Remove, clean, and store storm windows (if removable). Check and patch all door and window screens. Put screens up (if removable type).

n) Siding and Paint: Look for cracks and holes in house siding or paint. Replace caulk if necessary. A carpet knife can work well for cutting away old caulking from house siding. Slice down alongside it from both directions with the hook-like blade, and then use the knife to lift out the old caulk bead intact.

o) Basement: Check basement walls and floor for dampness. Be sure to clean dehumidifier regularly, if you have one.

p) Heating System: (Fall) Have heating system serviced. Change filters.

q) Hot Water Heater: (Fall) Drain hot water heater. Remove sediment from the bottom of the tank.

Your state’s home builders’ association might be able to offer you some advice. Search for state contact information at the National Association of Home Builders Web site.

Rentals
If you rent an apartment or a house, it’s likely that your landlord takes care of most necessary repairs. Make sure you fully understand the provisions of your lease agreement to be sure you know whether it’s okay for you to make any repairs yourself, or how you should proceed in the event something goes wrong in your rental.
If you have a prefab home, the company that built your home may provide maintenance information on its Web site.