Issue Date: October 28, 2001
Tune up YOUR home
New or old, every house needs attention. Here's what to do.
A friend of mine recently said to me, "What I need is a book that shows me how my home works and tells me what I need to do to keep it not only looking good but functioning well." We all wish our homes came with a set of instructions. For instance, what should you do to keep the boiler or the furnace running at peak efficiency? How do you maintain the water heater, and do you need to shut off those outside faucets so they won't freeze?
Well, I'm working on just such a book for release next year. For those who can't wait, here is a cheat-sheet schedule for some key maintenance items, whether your home is old or new.
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Once a year
Get your furnace, boiler and air conditioning unit professionally cleaned and inspected so they won't let you down when you need them most.
Drain the water heater to remove sediment that accumulates in the bottom of the tank. This will prolong its life by seven to 15 years.
Have your chimney cleaned and inspected. This is a must to limit the potential fire hazard.
If you have a sump pump in your basement, clean out its sump pit and inspect the pump. This will protect the unit -- as well as your possessions that are stored in the basement.
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Once every six months
Squirt a little lightweight oil into the locks of your front and rear entry doors, as well as the garage doors, to keep them working smoothly.
Use a vacuum and a thin brush to clean out the coils on the back or bottom of your refrigerator. This will boost the efficiency of the unit and add years to its life.
Clean out the vent from the dryer, by hand or with a shop vacuum. Otherwise, lint may build up and cause a fire.
Inspect downspouts and clean the gutters, or have someone come and clean them for you if you don't like climbing ladders. This will keep them from overflowing and flooding your basement or crawlspace.
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Once a month
Scrub your sinks and bathtubs with a little bleach and water to kill any odor-causing bacteria. Let the bleach-filled water drain, and don't run any additional water overnight. That will kill any bacteria in the drain lines.
Wipe down the shelves of your refrigerator with bleach and water to kill bacteria resulting from food spills.
Test all your GFCI breakers (the receptacles with the buttons usually located in the kitchen, bathrooms and outdoors). Push the red button to trip the circuit, which will ensure that you are protected from potential shocks.
All that may sound like a lot of work, but it's essential. Once you mark these tasks on the calendar, you'll find it easier to get into the rhythm of monitoring your home's health. That way, you can keep things running smoothly, eliminating nasty, expensive surprises.
Lou Manfredini is the host of radio's "Ask Mr. Fix-it" program and a regular contributor to NBC's "Today" show.
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