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Home Maintenance Checklist
By Doris A. Black
For most people, buying a home may be the biggest single investment they ever make. As such, it’s an investment you’ll want to protect. Older homes especially, and new homes as well, need regular maintenance. Here is an annual checklist of areas that need to be inspected to keep your home in top condition.
Exterior Maintenance
• Gutters and downspouts need year-round attendance to make sure they are operating properly. Improper water drainage can ruin a foundation and cause other costly damage.
• Window and door caulking should be secure. If it’s missing or pulling away, it could lead to water infiltration and eventually damage the substructures.
• Check the grade around the foundation. Over the years dirt may settle and a layer of topsoil may need to be added to maintain a slope away from the house. Don’t allow low areas to remain and collect water. Fill them immediately.
• Watch for broken or missing roof shingles. Your roof is your home’s only defense against inclement weather. Keep it in top form.
• The only sure way to stop a leak in a rooftop vent is to replace the flashing. If you see what looks like a sloppy mess of tar around the vent it usually means the flashing was not replaced.
• Chimney mortar that is crumbling or missing should be replaced. Holes in the mortar will allow water to seep in, causing further damage.
Keep all your receipts for permanent home improvement projects such as new siding. You’ll need them for documenting warranty claims and replacement costs for insurance purposes.
Interior Maintenance
• Keep the caulking around the tub and sink in good repair. If deteriorating, it could leak water into substructures.
• Bathroom flooring that is cracked or does not fit tightly against fixtures can allow water to seep through to the subfloor. Even if you’ve never had a toilet overflow, condensation from it and wet feet stepping out of the tub is enough water to cause damage over time. A soft, spongy spot in the floor is an indication of water damage to the subfloor.
• Check your basement for peeling paint on exterior walls. Does the basement smell musty? Are mold and mildew present on exterior walls? These are all indications of moisture in the basement. Take steps to stop moisture with dehumidifiers, sump pumps and de-watering systems in addition to the exterior maintenance methods mentioned above.
• Tub surrounds should have grout and tiles intact. Missing grout or loose tiles can lead to wall damage from water. Pay particular attention to the area around fixtures.
• In the kitchen, again it is water that causes the most damage. Check around the edge of the sink where it meets the countertop. Does it have a good seal? Next check where the countertop meets the backsplash. A leak there could cause wall or cabinet damage.
• Walls and ceilings are prone to mildew if not ventilated properly. Look for irregular brown spots. A brown ring can signify water damage; a thorough investigation is needed to locate the leak and repair it.
• Electrical boxes should be in good repair at all times and free from rust. If you notice a rusty panel, call an electrician immediately and don’t touch it.
It is a good idea to keep all the maintenance manuals for appliances, furnaces, water softeners, fans, wood burning stoves, etc. They contain valuable information on operation and safety. Many have problem-solving areas for the homeowner and contact information for parts and supplies. Be sure to return the warranty card if one is provided. Keep these manuals in a filing cabinet where you can get your hands on them in a hurry if necessary.
All homeowners should keep emergency contact information handy as well. Know how to reach your plumber after hours. Keep the phone numbers of electricians, heating and cooling professionals, and handymen on one list so they are easily accessible. Also include emergency medical assistance phone numbers, such as doctors and poison control technicians, on the list.
Protect your money by protecting your home. No matter how long you plan to live in the house, good repair will aid in appreciating its value.
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