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Including Maintenance Scheduling

Plumbing

Drains

Your plumbing should need only minimum maintenance if cared for properly. If any problems do develop, attend to them immediately to prevent larger, more costly problems.

Shutoff Valves

Shutoff valves control water flow to a particular appliance. Shutoff valves can usually be found under sinks and toilets and behind clothes washers, water heaters and other appliances. Locating the main water shutoff valve is discussed on page 2-1.

Periodically examine each shutoff valve for signs of leaks. Look for water, green crust or water stains on the valve, surrounding pipes and floor underneath. If the valve leaks, you can tighten the valve fittings with a wrench. Do not over tighten. If the leak continues, call a professional plumber.

Each plumbing fixture in your house has a drain trap. This U-shaped piece of pipe is designed to provide a water barrier that prevents air-borne bacteria and the odor of sewer gas from entering the house. Any fixture that is used infrequently should be turned on at regular intervals to replace evaporating water and insure that the barrier remains intact. Because of their shape, traps are also the source of most clogging problems.

Clogged drains are discussed in the Plumbing Emergencies section on page 2-5. Common sense can prevent your drains from clogging. Don’t pour grease down a drain. Keep your drains free of hair and other debris. Do not use lye or its derivatives. It can damage your plastic drain pipe.

“Flush” your drains once a month to prevent residual grease and soap from clogging drains. Run hot water through the drain. Add three tablespoons of baking soda. Add a little more hot water. Let stand for 15 minutes, then “flush” again by running more hot water.

Plumbing Fixtures

A variety of commercial cleaners are available for cleaning sinks, showers, tubs, toilets and other plumbing fixtures. Follow the manufacturer’s directions when using a cleaner. Regular cleaning will prevent soap scum buildup and discoloration. Don’t use abrasive cleaners.


Periodically examine each sink and other plumbing fixture for signs of water leaking from the fixture, the water supply or the drain. Look for water, green crust or water stains on pipes, fittings and the floor underneath. You can tighten leaky plumbing fittings with a wrench. Do not over tighten. If the leak continues, call a professional plumber.

Toilets

Overflowing or clogged toilets are discussed in the Plumbing Emergencies section on page 2-6. Never flush hair, grease, lint, diapers, sanitary products or rubbish down the toilet. These wastes can stop up toilets and sewer lines.

Inspect the base of the toilet and the water supply line for leaks. If the water chamber appears to leak, the water may only be condensation forming on the outside of the tank. If you think that the toilet is leaking or if you are having other problems, consult a plumbing repair book or call a professional plumber.

A loose toilet can weaken the seal between the toilet and the drain pipe. Water can then leak along the toilet’s base and damage the floor. Test the toilet mounts by grabbing the toilet with your hands and try to rock it from side to side. If the toilet moves, tighten the nuts holding the toilet to the floor on either side of the base. Tighten until snug, then test again.

Faucets

Many sinks today have modern, washerless faucets. The standard compression faucets with a washer are also common. If a faucet leaks or malfunctions, consult a plumbing repair book or call a professional plumber.

The only maintenance your faucets should require is to clean the aerators. Aerators add air to the water as it leaves the faucet, eliminating splashing and reducing water usage. To clean an aerator, unscrew it from the mouth of the faucet, remove any deposits, remove and rinse the washers and screens, replace in their original order and put back on the faucet.

Noisy Pipes

Noisy pipes can be more than an annoyance, vibrations accompanying the noise can loosen plumbing fittings and cause leaks. Noise can be caused by a number of reasons, including worn washers, loose parts in a faucet and steam in hot water pipes.

You should repair noisy pipes promptly. If you cannot locate the cause of the noise or cannot make the repair yourself, call a professional plumber.


Caulking

Caulking is used to seal around bathtubs, sinks and showers. It is normal for caulking to dry out or crack after several years. Periodically inspect caulking around sinks, showers and tubs. Look for signs of deterioration. Remove the old caulking and replace with fresh caulk. This is a simple do-it-yourself project. If you do not have a caulking gun, caulking material can be bought in applicator tubes or in disposable caulking guns.

Outdoor Plumbing

To prevent frozen pipes, drain water from outdoor faucets and pipes, insulate and wrap exposed pipes and remove and store outdoor hoses.


Electrical

then to ON after the circuit trips.

The wiring in your home should meet or exceed code requirements and safety standards for the normal use of electrical appliances. Ordinarily, small appliances may be plugged into any electrical receptacle without fear of overloading a circuit. The use of a large appliance, however, or many small appliances on the same circuit may cause an overload. If a circuit breaker trips frequently, contact a licensed electrical contractor to determine whether additional wiring is needed.

Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers protect the electrical wiring and equipment in your home. They are heavy-duty switches that serve the same purpose as fuses. When a circuit is carrying more current than is safe, the breaker switches to RESET. On most breakers, the switch has to be pushed to OFF and

“Exercise” your circuit breakers at least once a year by switching the breakers OFF and then back ON again by hand. If a breaker is frozen in the ON position, it will not trip when needed. By exercising your circuit breakers, you can verify their mechanical parts move freely. Have a professional electrician replace any circuit breaker that does not switch OFF and ON properly.

Ground Fault Interrupters

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are an electrical safety device designed to prevent electrocution. They are commonly used on bathroom, kitchen, basement, garage and outdoor circuits. Electricity is cut off instantly if there is a “ground fault” or leakage of electrical current to ground (possibly passing through a human body).

A GFCI can be built into wall outlets and circuit breakers. GFCI circuit breakers are located on your circuit panel. They have an extra button marked “TEST” or “T.” An outlet GFCI looks like an ordinary wall outlet with two small buttons marked “TEST” and “RESET” or “T” and “R.” Reset a tripped GFCI as you would reset a regular circuit breaker. On an outlet GFCI, push the RESET button.

Test each GFCI once a month by pushing the TEST button. The GFCI should trip when tested. Reset the GFCI. If it does not trip or does not reset, the GFCI should be replaced by a professional electrician.


Appliance Cords

Cords on appliances and lamps are often subject to pulling and twisting that can sever the wires inside and break down the insulation. This can result in a short circuit. Periodically inspect electrical appliance cords for signs of damage. Replace - do not repair-any electrical cord with broken wires or worn insulation.


Maintenance Schedule

Consider following a schedule for maintaining your home. A schedule will serves as a reminder of the inspections and maintenance you should perform each month and each season.

The old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" was never more appropriate than when it comes to maintaining your home.

On the following pages, I’ve put together some maintenance pages hat you can print out and use as regular checklists around your home.

Use this maintenance schedule as a guide for maintaining your home.

 

A general maintenance schedule lists tasks to perform once a month or as needed. Seasonal maintenance schedules list tasks to perform in the spring, summer, fall and winter.

Many items listed on the schedules should be inspected as recommended but will need only occasional, if any, maintenance. You will soon develop a feel for what tasks should be performed when.


General Maintenance

Perform every month or as needed Safety

__ Inspect fire extinguishers to insure they are fully charged. __ Check automatic garage door opener's safety reverse. __ Test smoke detectors.

__ Test Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters.

Heating & Cooling

__ Clean or replace air filters when the system is in use for heating or cooling. __ Vacuum heat registers, vents and radiators .

__ Listen to your system for unusual noises .

Appliances

__ Drain water from bottom of the water heater.

__ Grind ice cubes to clean garbage disposal. Flush with hot water and baking soda. __ Clean dishwasher strainer and spray arm.

__ Clean range fan’s grease filter.

__ Clean frost-free refrigerator’s drain and drain pan.

Plumbing

__ Pour water down unused drains .

__ Clean debris from sink and tub drains. Inspect tub drain's rubber seal. Rinse. __ Clean faucet aerators and shower heads .


Spring

Exterior

__ Inspect roof materials & roof flashings . __ Clean & inspect gutters & downspouts .

__ Have a chimney sweep clean & inspect chimney after burning season ends.

__ Inspect & clean siding .

__ Inspect vents, chimneys & other protected areas for bird & insect nests.

__ Clean window & door screens. Repair or replace damaged screens.

__ Inspect weatherstripping around doors, windows & garage doors. Repair as necessary. __ Inspect caulking & re-caulk as necessary. __ Inspect foundation for cracks, moisture & insects. __ Clean debris away from home, utility equipment & other structures.

__ Trim trees & shrubs away from home.

__ Inspect wood decks, steps & rails for loose or damaged boards & raised nails.

__ Clean space between boards on wood decks, walks & steps.

Heating & Cooling

__ Have heat pump or air-conditioning system serviced before cooling season begins . Appliances

__ Inspect water heater’s temperature pressure relief valve for signs of leaks or discharge. __ Replace smoke detector batteries. Vacuum around smoke detector & its sensor .


Summer

Exterior

__ Clean & lubricate garage door hinges, rollers & tracks. Tighten screws.

__ Inspect paint & sealant on exterior & garage doors, particularly along bottom edge.

Interior

__ Inspect walls & ceilings for cracks, bows, sags & leans. __ Clean & seal tile grout.

Appliances

__ Tighten garbage disposal's drain connections & fasteners. __ Inspect dishwasher for leaks.

__ Clean range fan blades & housing.

__ Clean & test refrigerator door gasket.

__ Vacuum refrigerator coils.

__ Clean clothes washer's water inlet filters. Inspect hoses for leaks. __ Vacuum lint from clothes dryer ducts & surrounding areas.

Plumbing

__ Inspect sinks & plumbing shutoff valves for leaks.

__ Test toilets for stability & inspect for leaks.

__ Inspect caulking around sinks, showers & bathtubs. Re-caulk as necessary.

Electrical

__ “Exercise” circuit breakers.

__ Check for frayed appliance cords.


Winter

Exterior

__ Inspect roof after large winter storms.

__ Inspect gutters and downspouts during a rain storm for leaks.

__ Keep gutters clean of ice and debris.

__ Check for drafts along doors and windows. Caulk and repair weatherstripping if necessary.

Appliances

__ Tighten garbage disposal's drain connections and fasteners. __ Inspect dishwasher for leaks.

__ Clean range fan blades and housing.

__ Clean and test refrigerator door gasket.

__ Vacuum refrigerator coils.

__ Clean clothes washer's water inlet filters. Inspect hoses for leaks. __ Vacuum lint from clothes dryer ducts and surrounding areas.

Plumbing

__ Inspect sinks and plumbing shutoff valves for leaks.

__ Test toilets for stability and inspect for leaks.

__ Inspect caulking around sinks, showers & bathtubs. Re-caulk as necessary.

Electrical

__ “Exercise” circuit breakers.

__ Check for frayed appliance cords.


Fall

Exterior

__ Inspect roof materials & roof flashings.

__ Clean & inspect gutters & downspouts.

__ Inspect siding.

__ Inspect caulking & re-caulk as necessary.

__ Inspect foundation for cracks, moisture & insects.

__ Clean debris away from home, utility equipment & other structures. __ Trim trees & shrubs away from home.

__ Inspect wood decks, steps & rails for loose or damaged boards & raised nails. __ Clean space between boards on wood decks, walks & steps.

__ Drain water from outdoor faucets & pipes. Remove & store outdoor hoses.

Heating & Cooling

__ Clean ceiling fan blades.

__ Clean bathroom exhaust fan grills & fan blades.

__ Have heating system serviced before the heating season begins.

Appliances

__ Inspect water heater’s temperature pressure relief valve for signs of leaks or discharge. __ Replace smoke detector batteries. Vacuum around smoke detector & its sensor.


I Look Forward To Hearing From You...

I hope you found my book helpful and that it continues to offer you insights into things you should be aware of around your home. And remember, please share it with friends – everybody should know as much as possible about their home...

If you have questions about your home and would like me to inspect your house - Call me at the number provided on the cover of this book – I can always help you better understand your home and address potential problems before they become serious.

As you know, I’m a Certified Home Inspector and I’m committed to excellence in what I do...

I enjoy meeting homeowners and helping people because...

 

House, home, family – it’s really what we’re all about. A safe and sound home matters – It’s literally keeping the roof over our heads – and sometimes we spend more time reading the DVD player manual than learning about our homes.

Our house is the largest investment most of us will ever make, but proper home care isn’t just about protecting our investment – because bricks and mortar make a house, but the joy we get from it makes it home. From my house to yours, I wish you the very best.

Thanks for reading the guide, I hope you enjoyed it and I look forward to hearing from you.

Give us a call and order your home inspection now. Protect your investment.

Give us a call for all your Home Inspection, Termite & Pest Control Needs
817-907-3035
 
 We are situated on the Keller/Fort Worth border. A large portion of our Inspections are in and around Keller.
 
For your convenience we are more available to perform inspections daily in Keller.
 
Our years of experience and schooling and continuing education and the multiple thousands of Inspections performed in this area benefit you greatly. That is where your peace of mind comes in.
 
Keller what rated and still is as a boomburb. Money magazine rated Keller number 7 out of 10 best places to live. Median Family income is in the $120,000.00 range. Keller's 56 square miles leaves plenty of room for future growth.
 
Just going to the cities website www.cityofkeller.com  will lead you to a plethora of information about the city.
 
Parks, a water park, city municipal building, fire and police department all updated and mostly new as the city has been growing. Shopping, restaurants? There is more than one could need. The major cities surrounding Keller such as Fort Worth and Dallas and neighbors such as Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville will leave you wanting for nothing. Lakes? I think there are a hundred or more in the Metroplex. Zoos, city parks, Arboretums are all right next door.
 
I am here at you convenience. If you are from out of town or out of state rest at ease. I have lived in three states and several cities in each state. I know what it is like to move to a new area and trying to settle in. 
 
Put your trust in a Keller Home Inspector performing you Inspection that has a proven record of knowledge and experience. Inspecting is my passion in life. Partner with me for a professional and enjoyable Inspection experience.