HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS

Here's a list of about twenty things you should be, but likely aren't, doing around your home:

*Electrical-

  Test and reset your GFCI protected outlets monthly. Take a night light, plug it in, press the test button, the reset button should pop out and the night light go out. This keeps the contact points clean. And, if it fails, better now then when you drop the hair dryer in the sink.

   Open the electrical panel. First, touch the back of your right hand to the cover. If the panel is charged/electrified, the shock will make your muscles contract and your hand will pull itself away from the panel. Do not use your left hand, that is your heart side. Is everything nice and clean? Turn your breakers off then back on. These are mechanical devices and can fail. The pain is you'll have to reset your clocks, etc.

   Look at the bottom of the garbage disposal. Is the little clip still there that holds the power cord securely to the unit? They do get vibrated off. It's a safety issue.

*Plumbing-

   Do your outside faucets (hose bibs) leak at the stem?

   Does the main water shut off valve work? I don't mess with the shut off valves at the sinks. The quickest way to get them to leak is to mess with them.

   What is your water pressure? Home Depot has a gauge in the irrigation section you can screw onto your outside faucet, about $7. Pressure should be between 45-65 psi. No more than 80psi.

*Water heater-

   I don't drain mine. The calcium and sediment will get into the drain valve and it will leak.

*Heating/Cooling-

   Check your filter monthly. Change as necessary.

   Do not run your A/C if the temperature is less than 65 degrees outside.

   The flame in your gas furnace should be clean and blue.

*Exterior-

   Check the caulking at the hose bibs, gas/water service entrance and changes of building materials (window frames to stucco, etc.).

   Keep the soil sloped away from the home for drainage.

*Roof-

   If you have a patio roof, the rolled roofing will tend to curl up from the metal drip edge. Keep this sealed with the appropriate tar material.

   Has the tar on the vent stacks (plumbing Jacks) up on the roof cracked? Keep those sealed, too.

*Pool-

   Does the GFCI trip?

   Is the bond wire (the bare copper bonus ground) still connected to the pump motor housing?

Most people are delightfully unaware of what is happening at their home. Remember this, maintenance is cheaper than repair.

Nel Broce

Nel is a Senior Inspector at Desert State Home Inspections. AZ  certification #38548, ASHI # 109712. He can be reached at 480-585-6456 (office) or 480-329-4187 (cell).