Spring Break!Spring Break Means Spring Cleaning and Spring Cleaning means Home Maintenance Here's a simple bi-annual "Top to Bottom" checklist to keep your home in shape year round.
Roof: Check roof and around vents, skylights and chimneys for leaks. Repair as necessary.
Attic: If there is no ridge vent, keep gable vents open year-round to ensure proper ventilation.
Gutters: Clean gutters and drain pipes so leaves won't clog them and be sure they drain away from the house.
Fireplace: Clean fireplace of ashes. Check chimney for loose or missing mortar. Have chimney professionally cleaned. Make sure damper closes tightly.
Filters: Remember to clean or replace filters once a month, or as needed. Check and clean dryer vent, air conditioner, stove hood and room fans. Keep heating and cooling vents clean and free from furniture and draperies.
Safety Equipment: Ensure that all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are in good working order. Replace batteries in appropriate devices as needed, or at least twice each year.
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.
Faucets: Check for leaky faucets in kitchen and bathroom(s). Replace washers as necessary.
Windows and Doors: Seal drafty 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.
Storm Windows and Screens: Check and patch all door and window screens.
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, then use the knife to lift out the old caulk bead intact.