First time homeowners usually need a quick lesson—or at least a reminder on how to approach their home upkeep. Bottom line up front: it is an asset, like any other, that requires regular and observant attention. The corollary is this: to the extent that you do not provide regular maintenance, the costs merely add-up and often increase because of your neglect. A positive spin is this: assuming you would rather live in a nice and well-maintained home, you will get much more pleasure from your home when it is well cared-for. Finally, a negative spin: its really expensive and often unsafe to ignore most of these issues. So, you may as well treat them as a hobby and make it fun!
This sounds obvious, but in this inspector’s opinion, we all need reminders to do the smart thing. (Did anyone have a retired Naval officer for a dad, so, weekend chores were not exactly an option, in my house, growing up?!?) Family obligations, careers, travel, sickness and other factors make life challenging enough, so here is a way think about it. The year can be broken into four seasons, lasting 13 weeks each and all chores to keep your home beautiful and safe fall into one of the four seasons. Think of 52 chores … one per weekend, and if you miss a chore, you have two the next weekend. So, the action list looks something like this (below); your goal could be… perform one task each Saturday appropriate for that season.
Fall
- Change air filters in all intake (i.e., “return”) ducts;
- Assure all drains, gutters, scuppers, etc. are perfectly cleared of debris;
- Remove all branches from the roof, including those overhanging;
- Get those leaves off the ground and to the landfill;
- Cover your outdoor spigots with a frost cover;
- Is the fireplace ready to host a fire? Check the flue;
- Is your roof ready for winter? Check the seams, flashing, gutters, downspouts, brick/chimneys and shingles, including the roof penetrations.
Winter
- Change air filters in all intake (i.e., “return”) ducts;
- Does your outside HVAC compressor need to be covered?
- Position the ice-melt, sand and shovels before the snow arrives (if they’re in the shed, this may not be convenient to access in a foot of snow);
- Are there any plants that need protection/covering?
- Keep an eye on ice build up both overhead and on paved surfaces (this is about safety);
- Any pipes that will be exposed to freezing must be attended to;
- Any outdoor receptacles should be covered with an sealed box made for this purpose;
Spring
- Change air filters in all intake (i.e., “return”) ducts
- Change batteries in all smoke detectors
- What needs to be cleaned? (Roof, gutters, exhaust outlets, etc.)
- Service your HVAC compressor for the upcoming season; clear all new growth from it
- Trim bushes & shrub while they’re small, don’t wait until June!
- Did any leaks appear in any plumbing throughout the home?
- Are there any doors that need to be tightened (hinges, door knobs, handles, etc.)?
- Adjust any windows that need adjustment
- If any animals made any holes in your roof, foundation, etc., patch them immediately
- Hack/chop or mow that bamboo! (believe me, this is sooo much easier when small)
Summer
- Change air filters in all intake (i.e., “return”) ducts
- Inspect lawn for pests and inspect foundation for ants, termites and other creepy crawlers
- Inspect crawl space access assuring it is sealed properly to allow air but not critters
- Does the HVAC evaporator coil need to be serviced?
- Conduct a walk around looking for breaks, tears in siding, spauling brick, holes in foundations, etc.
- Clean any/all moss from siding on “dark” side of home (i.e., the one that does not get the direct sunlight).
- Clean grease from over the stove using a strong solvent (this is a safety issue)
- Test or inspect your kitchen fire extinguisher;
This is clearly only a sample and should be flexible; some inspectors provide this as a service, four times per year. I like to put on my favorite bluegrass music when chores keep me in one spot for more than 15 minutes. See… they are already fun! Bluegrass music makes everything better!
