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As spring approaches you can take a few key steps to
ensure your home serves you well through the coming months. Please take
time to check these items in and around your home and attend to any that
need maintenance.
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Clean and test smoke alarms
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Test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI)
breakers
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Change or clean the furnace filter
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Operate the air-conditioning system; if service is
needed it is more conveniently arranged before the busiest part of the
season arrives
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Adjust registers and confirm that registers and cold-air
returns are clear of furniture or draperies
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Make certain the air-conditioner compressor is level and
clear of debris
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Turn the humidifier off
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Pour water down the basement floor drain. As drain water
evaporates, sewer odors can seep into the house
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Drain sediment from the bottom of the water heater per
manufacturer's instructions
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Inspect grout around tile (floor or wall) and touch up
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Wash windows and screens, clean weep holes, and
lubricate tracks
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Check caulking, inside and out, and touch up
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Check garage overhead door, tighten bolts as needed, and
lubricate springs with motor oil
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Have other repairs done by professionals
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Start and adjust sprinkler system. Test exterior faucets
for broken pipes
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Clean gutters and confirm that downspouts or
splash-blocks drain away from the house
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Look for settling of backfill soils and fill in where
needed
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Check exterior paint and stain surfaces and refinish as
needed
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Plan your first barbecue.
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As colder weather approaches you can take a few key steps
to ensure your home serves you well through the coming months. Please take
time to check these items in and around your home and attend to any that
need maintenance.
-
Clean and test smoke alarms
-
Test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI)
breakers
-
Change or clean the furnace filter
-
Operate the heating system
-
Adjust registers and confirm that cold air returns are
clear of furniture or draperies
-
Clean the humidifier per manufacturer's instructions
-
Adjust or replace weather-stripping on exterior doors as
needed
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Check the fit of exterior doors; thresholds are
adjustable--use a quarter to turn the screws
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Check caulking, inside and out, and touch up
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Drain your sprinkler system
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Remove hoses from exterior faucets. "Freeze proof"
faucets will suffer a broken water line if the water in the hose freezes
and expands into the pipe
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Inspect chimney for nests
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Review safe fireplace operation. Provide professional
cleaning at regular intervals
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Check garage overhead door, tighten bolts as needed, and
lubricate springs with motor oil. Have other repairs done by
professionals
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Clean gutters, check downspouts; confirm that
splash-blocks drain away from the house
-
Check foundation, concrete, and yard for settling; fill
in as needed for positive drainage
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After snowfall, brush snow off gutters and away from
downspouts
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Remove ice and snow from concrete as soon as possible;
avoid using de-icing agents with damaging salts
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On pleasant days, open windows to allow house to breathe
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Decorate safely for the holidays. Do not overload
circuits or use worn extension cords.
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