Free Maintenance Tips

Free Maintenance Tips

Free Downloadable Checklists

(Click Below to Download Your Free Checklist!)

Fall Maintenance Checklist

Preventive Maintenance Checklist

Free Maintenance Tips for Your Eau Claire Home

gutter

Clean Your Gutters

Keeping your gutters clean of leaves and other debris is important to maintain proper water management away from your homes foundation. Clogged gutters are a leading cause of basement water problems. If water is not properly directed away from the house, it has a greater chance to end up in the basement. Also, if your gutters are full of debris, they will be much heavier and can pull away from the fascia and become loose, allowing water to run behind the gutters and rotting the fascia and eaves. 

Here is a DIY source for cleaning your gutters:

https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/gutter-cleaning-and-repair​​

In the Fall, Turn Off Your Hose Bibs

If you do not have frost proof hose bibs (As pictured), you will want to turn off the shutoff valve inside before winter. Failing to do this means you run the risk of the pipe breaking as the water freezes and expands inside the pipe. 

Hose Bibs
Deck

Is Your Deck Safe?​​

Deck railings should be able to withstand a 200 lb single point lateral load. That means a 200 lb man pushing the railing cannot get it to move more than ½ inch. Yeah, I know, mine would not qualify as safe either. But if you can easily shake the railing then it needs attention. As most railings are secured to only the rim joist, they can become loose over time. Some are held to the rim joist by lag bolts, but others may only be held on by a few nails. If having a party and 3 people are leaning on a loose railing, it has a greater chance to fail. Installing mechanical brackets between the joists, railing and rim can help fix this.

​​Here is a DIY checklist you can use to check your deck:

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/decking/21017746/deck-che​ck

Energy Audit

Utility bills can get expensive! Energy Audits can save you a lot of $$! With an energy audit, a specialist will evaluate your home & make recommendations to help you save money. Blower door tests show the amount of air loss in the home and where the house needs to be air sealed. Infrared cameras see through walls to determine if you have adequate insulation. By having this done in the fall could save you hundreds of dollars in the winter and for years to come!​

Energy Audit
Chimney

Don't Wait Until the Dead of Winter to Have the Chimney Cleaned.

If your wood burning fireplace is regularly used, it should be professionally cleaned and inspected every few years. Typically chimney sweeps are busy in the fall/winter and charge more. Having a chimney sweep clean and examine your wood burning fireplace every couple of years will ensure your safety and life of the fireplace for years to come. 

Spring Maintenance Check

Spring is the time to get out and look for any damage that may have happened over winter. Check your wood trim and any exterior paint. Is their peeling paint or any areas in need of caulking? Do you see any wood rot? Is the drainage of water being properly directed away from the home? Are your gutters clean with 5-6 foot extensions on the end of the downspouts? Does the grading around your home slope away from the house? Now should be a safe time to turn your hose bibs back on (If you do not have frost proof ones) and get the hoses out for summer. This is also a good time to re-seal or power wash your deck.

Reseal the Deck

Reseal the Deck

Your deck should be resealed every few years. Doing this prevents deterioration, curling and splintering of the wood. What product to use is not as important as it being done regularly and correctly. While not necessary, power washing the deck first can be very helpful, as long as you do not damage the wood in the process.​​

Look Outside First to Solve Basement Water Problems

Water in your basement usually is a result of improper water management outside your home. If you have problems with water in your basement or crawlspace you should start with the least expensive fixes and work up to the most expensive.


Make sure your gutters are clean of debris, slopped correctly, and downspout extensions are 5-6 feet long. Make sure the grading around your home is sloping away from the house. Ideally a 1 inch drop every 6 feet is recommended. Keeping water flowing away from your homes foundation is important.


If water is getting into the basement with proper drainage, a sump pump may need to be added. When this type of work needs to be done, the job can start to get pretty pricey. Remember to start with the cheapest option and work backwards.


If water is getting into the basement with proper drainage, a sump pump may need to be added. When this type of work needs to be done, the job can start to get pretty pricey. Remember to start with the cheapest option and work backwards.

Here is a helpful link on how to keep water away from your home:

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-drain-downspout-water-flow-away-house

Furnace Filter

Change the Furnace Filter

During our inspections, we regularly find that the furnace filter has not been changed for months, or sometimes even years. Generally your furnace filter should be changed every 1-2 months, especially if you have pets. Some of the better filters can be changed every 3-6 months, but this type of filter is wider than most standard 1 inch wide filters.


Caution: When doing work around your home like painting and sanding of flooring or drywall, your filter can get very dirty in a matter of a few days. Make sure to check your furnace filter after doing any of these types of work inside your home. Failing to change your filter will result the unit losing much of its efficiency and could possibly damage the furnace or A/C.

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