| Repairs and Maintenance |
New and old, big and small, homes will need repairs. As a homeowner you will have to deal with the necessity of house repairs. To handle these repairs the best and most efficiently you must decide which items you can handle on your own and which are better left to professionals. |
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| Before taking on home repairs yourself it may be helpful to ask yourself "Can you handle it?". Experimenting with your capabilities is fine if you have the time and desire, but many people get in "over their heads" with repairs, never realizing that they are spending more time and money than is necessary by starting a project they can't complete rather than hiring a professional in the first place. |
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Safety concerns. Many repairs around the home are fraught with potential dangers. High roofs, chimneys, and electricity can be pretty unforgiving. If you don't know exactly how to do a dangerous task, don't do it.
Quality of work. In the trades, it is called a "butcher job." If the repair doesn't "hold" because you did it incorrectly, was there any gain? If it looks like a shoddy repair, did you really save any money? |
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| Finding a reliable contractor |
If you decide that the best option is to have the work done for you, the next job is finding the right contractor to handle the job. There are several Internet services that help match you to pre-screened professionals in your area. We suggest ServiceMagic, Inc., where you can find everything from Handyman Services to Paint Removal and Cleaning. |
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Maintenance bi-annual checklist |
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Roof: Check roof and around vents, skylights and chimneys for leaks. Repair as necessary. |
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Attic: (Fall) Close vents to conserve heat. (Spring) Open vents to ensure proper ventilation. |
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Gutters: Clean gutters and drain pipes so leaves won't clog them and be sure they drain away from the house. (Fall: In cold-climate areas) Drain outside faucets. |
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Fireplace: Clean fireplace of ashes. (Fall) Check chimney for loose or missing mortar. Have chimney professionally cleaned. Make sure damper closes tightly. (Spring) Leave damper open for improved ventilation if the home is not air-conditioned |
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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. |
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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. |
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Air Conditioner: (Fall: In cold-climate areas) Remove window air-conditioners, or put weatherproof covers on them. |
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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. |
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Faucets: Check for leaky faucets in kitchen and bathroom(s). Replace washers as necessary. |
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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. |
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Storm Windows and Screens: (Fall) Take down screens (if removable type) and replace with storm windows. (Spring) Remove, clean, and store storm windows (if removable). Check and patch all door and window screens. Put screens up (if removable type). |
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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. |
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Basement: Check basement walls and floor for dampness. Be sure to clean dehumidifier regularly, if you have one. |
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Heating System: (Fall) Have heating system serviced. Change filters. |
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Hot Water Heater: (Fall) Drain hot water heater. Remove sediment from the bottom of the tank. |
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| Resources for Owners |
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