Monthly Check Lists
MONTHLY CHECK LISTS
Helping you keep your home in the best condition possible.
January/February
Give the Lawn a Treat
Older, established lawns are most prone to infestation by Japanese beetles and other grubs. You can knock out these pests now while they're dormant in the ground. Broadcast a grub-killer treatment into the lawn using a hand or wheel spreader. Treatment preparations are available at your local garden-supply or home center.
Keeping Warm for Less
Energy-saving recommendations have changed over the last decade. Check to see if your home is up to date. You can get energy saving tips for free from the Environmental Protectoin Agency. Call 888.782.7937, or point your browser to www.energystar.gov. A simple tip to remember is that a little extra insulation and caulking can go a long way in making your Home more comfortable and lowering your utility bill.
Clean Out Air Conditioners
If you haven't used your air conditioner yet, check it out before the really hot weather hits. If your home is covered by a home repair policy it is your responsibility to keep all filters and grills clean and free of debris or your policy may not cover breakdown repairs. Clean dust, insects and other debris from grillwork areas and from cooling fans, replace dirty filters and dislodge cocoons and larvae from between fans with a wood or plastic (not metal) paint-stirring stick. Turn on the unit and test its effectiveness. If there are any problems you should get them fixed before your repairman is overbooked.
Clean Chimney
Chimney fires are dangerous. Have all flues and chimneys inspected and cleaned by a reputable chimney sweep. Locate a certified sweep in your area by contacting the Chimney Safety Institute of America at 800-536-0118 or online www.csia.org. Have a chimney cap installed to prevent birds from nesting in your chimney. While this is not a danger to the function of your fireplace the birds get noisy during the spring & summer season.
March/April
Check Roof Shingles
Check the condition of your roofing to make sure there's no visible damage from age or weather. Periodic hail can cause severe damage that is not obvious from the groud. Whenever a storm has affected your area it is always best to consult a professional roofer or your insurance carrier to inspect for damage.
Gutters and Splash Blocks
Keep gutters and downspouts operating efficiently by cleaning out debris and reattaching loose sections. In most cases, you simply need to push the sections back toether, but in some cases you may have to use rivets. Seal holes and cracks in gutters with a waterproof mastic. Downspouts should end in an elbow to direct water away from the house. FHA and VA lenders require tht splash blocks be installed at downspouts terminating over dirt.
Screen Out Bugs
Humid cities are a haven for bug proliferation. Keeping the screens on doors and windows in good repair is essential to maintaining a bug free environment. You can easily fix small holes and punctures by dabbing on rubber cement with a toothpick. Most small tears can be repaired with a screen patch, but for larger tears your best option is replacing the screen.
Reattach Loose Weather Stripping
Weather stripping around doors helps keep heat in during the winter, and heat out in the summer. Most homes have metal or rubber weather stripping and both types are easily repairable. In most cases moving or bending the weather stripping back into position and then securing it in place is all that is required. This simple repair will eliminate drafts and make your home more comfortable and efficient. For more information call Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse at 800.363.3732, or point your browser to www.eren.doe.gov.
May/June
Get Rid of Water Heater Sludge
Waterborne sediment can build up in the tank of your water heater lowering its efficiency. Keep your water heater in peak form by draining a quart of water from the tank four times a year and flushing it out entirely twice a year. Check the manufacturers instructions for the proper procedure.
Sharpen Mower Blades
Dull lawnmower blades shred instead of slice giving grass tips grayish and ragged tops that invite insects and disease. Have the blades sharpened at a mower-repair shop or save the $9 to $14 and sharpen the blade yourself with a drillmounted grinding wheel.
Water on Schedule
Your lawn needs 1 inch of water per week during the growing season. Help Mother Nature by setting up a watering schedule based on the rainfall in your area. Use a rain gauge to get the exact measurement. Be sure to allow enough time for the top 2 to 3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. When you water, minimize evaporation by watering during the early hours of the morning while the ground is cool.
Get your Attic Set For Summer
Stay comfortable and keep cooling costs in check by making sure that soffit, gable, and ridge vents are not blocked. Insulation should cover the entire attic floor so add new material or reposition existing insulation as needed. If your attic is equipped with a thermostat-controlled exhaust fan, test it by blowing heated air from a hair-dryer onto the thermostat unit. If the fan doesn't come on when the thermostat housing is warm to the touch, you need a new thermostat.
July/August
Tune Up The Garage Door
The nuts, bolts, tracks, and hinges that keep your garage door working smoothly tend to work loose over time. Tighten nuts and bolts and lubricate tracks, wheels and hinges with a mist of lightweight oil. Check the locking mechanism to make sure it works smoothly. Inspect cables for fraying. If you're not comfortable doing the work yourself call a pro. Many garage-door installers also service them. A tune-up will cost around $75.
Bee-Proof Your House
The Southwest is known for its abundance of stinging insects. Stop bees, wasps, and hornets from setting up new nests in your home by sealing gaps in siding, trim and other exterior surfaces. Wasps prefer cave areas, and there's little you can do to prevent their nesting. However, spritzing a developing nest with soapy water will usually send the insects elsewhere. When eliminating nests always try to find the time near dust when these insects are dormant. The same strategy will work on in-ground yellow jacket and bumblebee nests. But think twice before you eliminate nests in remote corners of your yard; wasps and hornets kill tremendous numbers of caterpillars and other less desirable insects.
Protect Plants
If you're going to be away from home for an extended period, move containers and hanging baskets into shade or dappled light. Even sun loving plants can handle some shade for a brief time. Ask a neighbor to stop by and water plants as needed. Clip off any flowers in bloom or past bloom. This deadheading keeps them from going to seed and encourages more flowers. Before you go, water trees and shrubs thoroughly, and renew mulch around plants to retain moisture and keep soil temperature cooler.
September/October
Plant Bulbs Now
Fall is the time to envision the beauty of next year's garden, so plant bulbs accordingly. Place tulip, daffodil, crocus and other bulbs in clusters rather than singly, this way you will get rich bursts of color. Place large bulbs 3 to 6 inches apart; small bulbs can be 1 to 2 inches apart. You can get lots of information on bulbs from the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center at www.bulb.com.
Fill In Bare Lawn Spots
Early autumn is the best time to sow any parts of your lawn that need new grass seed. The Lawn Institute can recommend what type of grass to grow in your region and how to properly plant, water, and care for a lawn. Go to www.lawninstitute.com.
Sweep the Chimney
Get your chimney inspected and cleaned if you use a wood-burning fireplace or stove. For safety and technical information, contact the Chimney Safety Institution of America at 800.536.0118 or you can access a list of chimney sweeps in your area at http://csia@csia.org.
Give the Lawn Some Food
It is a good idea to apply fertilizer to your lawn at the end of the growing season. This will help your lawn stay green and healthy longer into the fall and also spring back to life sooner when temperatures get warmer.
November/December
Clean Air Ducts
If there's ductwork in your house for central air-conditioning or forced-air heating, it's a good idea to have it inspected and cleaned every five to eight years depending on household conditions. Also inspecting your attic ducts for air leaks or collapsed chambers will keep your system running at peak performance. Inspections and cleaning fees, which range from $300 to $350, are usually based on the number of registers in your system. To find a licensed duct-cleaning company in your area, contact the National Air Dust Cleaners Association at 202-737-2926, or go to www.nadca.com.
Dust Thermostat
Take off the cover on your thermostat and clean the metal coil by blowing away or gently swiping away dust with a cotton swab. The changes in room temperatures cause the coil in your thermostat to curl and uncurl, regulating the furnace. Dust interferes with the coil's ability to sense the proper temperature.
Test the Water Tank
Check the pressure-relief valve on your hot water heater. This valve, located on top of the tank, will open if pressure becomes excessive inside the tank. Pull the valve handle to test it: it should release scalding wter. If no water escapes, the valve needs to be replaced. If the valve isn't connected to a pipe that drains outside as required by code, you need to collect the hot water with caution.
Be Prepared
Freezing weather and rapidly changing weather cause more plumbing emergencies during the winter season than at any other time of the year. Put away outside hoses and cover exposed water pipes to prevent freezing. Having the following items on hand will help you be prepared: pipe patching kit, propane torch, solder pipe wrench, C-wrench, Teflon tape, plumber's puty, hacksaw, basin wrench, an extra sink trap, a flashlight and a few plastic buckets (drip catchers). If you are not the handy man type keep the home, cell phone and pager numbers of your plumber handy.
