In a home, very few things are maintenance free. While it is a bitter pill for most homeowners in the Midlands to swallow, the fact is that preventative maintenance, with all the time and money it consumes, is still far more cost effective than the crisis management approach of waiting until something breaks and then scrambling to have it repaired. Preventative maintenance can avoid repairs, extend the life expectancy of many components and in some cases, reduce energy consumption.

PRIORITY MAINTENANCE FOR HOMEOWNERS

There are so many home maintenance and repair items that are important, it can be confusing trying to establish which are the most critical. To simplify things, this is a short list. These are by no means all-inclusive, nor do they replace any of the information in a home inspection report. They should, however, help you get started on the right foot. Remember, any items marked as priority or safety issues on your home inspection report need immediate attention.

ONE TIME TASKS

Install smoke detectors as necessary (usually one on each level of the home, near any sleeping areas).

Make any electrical improvements recommended in the home inspection report.

Remove any wood/soil contact to prevent rot and insect damage.

Change the locks on all doors.

Remove or correct trip hazards such as broken or uneven walks, patios and driveways. Loose or torn carpet or flooring should also be repaired promptly.

Correct unsafe stairways and landings. (Treads uneven, too narrow, sloped, loose; risers irregular or too high; landings missing, poorly lit or too small; railings missing, loose, too low, et cetera).

Have all chimneys inspected and serviced before operating any of these appliances.

Locate and mark the shut-offs for the heating, electrical and plumbing systems.

If there is a septic system, have the tank inspected, and pumped if necessary. If the house is on a private water supply (well), set up a regular testing procedure for checking water quality.

Check furnace filters, humidifiers and electronic air cleaners.

Visually inspect interior plumbing fixtures, drains, tubs, toilets, etc. and repair any leaks immediately.

Ensure Garage Door sensors are working properly.

Verify bedroom windows will open (and lock them back) and that dead bolt key locks have key close by in case of fire.

Ensure you have at least one charged, working fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
 

QUARTERLY

Clean dryer vent ducts (one of the main causes of house fires).

Verify that the grade next to foundation is downward, away from home.

Cut back trees and shrubs from the house walls, roof and air conditioning system.

Check attics for evidence of leaks and condensation and make sure vents are not obstructed. (Provide access into all attics and crawl spaces.)  Do this while it is raining to make it easy to see water stains in sheathing.

Conduct visual inspection of crawl space - look for standing water or wet soils.

Check exterior siding for holes, missing or cracked siding.

Clean vent and hood fan filter over stove.

Check the bathtub and shower caulking and improve as needed.

Check sprinkler system to ensure water is not hitting the house or foundation.

SEMI-ANNUAL

Check all moving parts on garage doors and lubricate as needed.

Test and change batteries in all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Perform visual inspection of exterior foundation (look for large cracks, separation and/or deterioration).

Check weather stripping and caulking around doors, windows and flashings, for example.

Check foundation vents.

ANNUAL

Have fireplace & chimney cleaned by fireplace professional, in addition to checking caulk, loose and/or cracked brick around chimney area.

Have home inspected for termites and other pests.

Have heating and cooling system serviced by professional HVAC technician.

Clean the tracks on horizontal sliding windows and ensure the drain holes are clear.

-Checklist courtesy of Carolina Inspection Services

Your “No Bull” Realtor,

Kathy Smith

Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors, Inc.
(888) 808-4Moo ext. 0
(803) 781-5729
http://www.kathy.smith.net/