Home owners
checklist
The Guide you Have To Have
Establishing and following a maintenance schedule is the best way to manage your household maintenance budget, to protect your investment and to prevent problems. This seasonal schedule of maintenance tasks should not replace the manufacturer’s recommendations and we suggest that you use licensed contractors for any tasks you may feel you don’t have the technical knowledge or ability to perform.
Safety First •
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Homeowners often want to perform maintenance themselves to save money. It is important to bear in mind that there are many areas of home maintenance that are best left to professionals. For example, electrical work, entering an attic, or climbing on roofs and ladders are just a few hazardous activities. It is better to take the safe choice if there is any question as to the ability of the homeowner to perform any maintenance task.
To start with, lets take a look at the jobs that need to be done regularly. Clean the filters, condenser, and evaporator coils in your heating and air conditioning units, and change the filters if necessary. (You may need a licensed contractor for these).
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Clean and freshen sinks, drains and appliances.
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Clean the rangehood filters by soaking them in a strong degreasing agent mixed with hot water, then rinsing.
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Check the gauges on your fire extinguishers to make sure they have adequate pressure.
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Test the garage door autoreverse feature by closing the door onto a large piece of wood.
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Test smoke alarms by pushing the ‘test’ button. If the alarm doesn’t sound, clean it, replace the batteries, and try again. If it still doesn’t sound, have it checked (and probably replaced).
quarterly •
Vacuum refrigerator coils.
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Double-check the temperatures of your fridge and freezer.
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Clean laundry exhaust vents.
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Rinse the lint from the clothes-dryer screen.
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Run water and flush toilets in areas you haven’t recently used to prevent grime building up.
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summer
When it comes to the annual jobs, we find it handy to use a checklist for each season.
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Inspect the exterior of your home, including the paint, foundations, and driveway, and repair as needed. Xmas Decorations: Organize, pack & put away. Kitchen Cabinets: Clean & polish. Fridge: Vacuum behind, clean coils. Garage & Shed: De-clutter & donate, remove old paints and flammables. Fences: Repair and paint. Vacuum clothes dryer exhaust duct. Carpet clean. Check trees for interference with electrical lines and have them trimmed if necessary. Clean, repair, and reseal the deck/patio as needed. Flush outdoor water taps and hoses. Trim trees or shrubs, clear away any dead plants, and check that decorative vines are not becoming invasive. House: Roof & exterior check.
days get shorter, take the time this autumn to prepare for winter. By making this autumn home maintenance into a regular practice, you’ll have peace of mind in the winter and more time to hibernate.
A/C: Turn off, clean and cover till spring. •• • Check that your RCDs operate and your power outlets work, and replace any frayed electrical cords. • Check all locks and deadbolts on your doors and windows, and replace if necessary. • Paint interior/exterior walls where needed. • Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors using high-quality, long-life batteries. • Double-check that all smoke alarms are securely fitted, appropriately located, clean, and clear of obstructions. • House: Roof & exterior check. Remove leaves and debris from gutters and down-pipes, inspect for cracks and drainage, clean off and repair as needed. • Check and make sure everything in the house is stable and secure. Tighten any hinges, handles, knobs, racks, shelves, and so on. • Heating: Have the heating system serviced; make sure your heating system is ready for winter.
Autumn
As the leaves change and the
winter
Now that winter is in full swing, it’s a good time to see how your home is faring against the weather. If you didn’t take steps to winterize your home in the fall, there’s a good chance you’ve got some work to do.
• Make sure water is properly draining, not collecting around the foundations of your home. • Plumbing: Check for leaks on supply lines to sinks and toilets. • Deck: Apply Preservative sealer, clean, repair, check bolts, and tighten. • Check under the house or in the basement for moisture damage and repair as needed. • Fridge: Vacuum behind, clean coils. • Pool service and maintenance. • Clean the grout between the tiles in the kitchen and bathroom, and repair as needed. • Inspect taps for leaks, & replace any washers as needed. • Check caulking around showers and bathtubs, and repair as needed. • Remove shower-heads and clean any sediment. • Curtains: Clean & vacuum. • Window Blinds: Dust. • Ceiling Fans & Lighting Fixtures: Clean.
weather warming, spring is a good time to get outdoors and tackle some larger home projects. Now that the threat of winter storms has passed, you can look for damage and make any needed repairs.
• Lawn: Aerate & fertilize. • Do a general Spring clean - Include doors, skirting boards, walls, and curtains. • Electrical: Test circuit breakers and check RCD’S, check all extension cords. • Sprinkler System: Turn on, make adjustments & repairs. • House: Hose down exterior. • Windows: Wash and clean sills, inside & out. • Make sure your cooling systems and air conditioners are ready to go, and take steps to make sure insects don’t take advantage of the warmth. • Repair/replace damaged window screens to make sure insects can’t get in. • Schedule a professional pest inspection and undertake any necessary treatment. Termites in particular can cause a lot of damage before it becomes visible. • Repaint the stumps on the fence in the backyard, restring the tennis racquets, and clean the BBQ. • Fire extinguisher: Place near kitchen, check charge.
spring
With the days lengthening and
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ALTONA 54 PIER STREET (P) 03 9398 3799 ALTONA North SHOP 15 Borrack Square (P) 03 9399 3636 Disclaimer: It is not intended that the information and opinions in this newsletter be treated as advice professional or otherwise. Sweeney Estate Agents do not accept any form of liability, be it contractual, tortuous or otherwise, for the contents of this newsletter or for any consequences arising from its use or any reliance placed upon it. The information, opinions and advice contained in this newsletter are of a general nature only and may not be applicable or appropriate to your specific circumstances. As there are many pitfalls associated with buying and selling real estate it is important to get professional independent advice.