Plumbing
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.