Home Maintenance

When you buy a car you get a manual that most people at best just put in the glove box and never see it again unless there is a problem or they have to reach for the registration when getting a ticket by one of our finest. When you buy a home new or used you really don't get a manual per say. Some builders have a representative that walks through the home with you in a short meeting called a "walk through". You are expected to remember everything that the representative told you.

Chances are though that the representative knows little about all aspects of construction and basically just walks you through the home showing you the paint, sinks and floors looking for things the new owner is displeased with and wants fixed prior to the closing of the sale. What they fail to do is advise the new owner of the different maintenance items that keeps a home running in tip top shape. A good builder will also give you a handbook that shows a new owner how to do the task needed of them.

Here are a few thins most new owners over look which cause problems within the first couple of years or sooner.

Did you know that you need to drain and flush your water heater once per year?

There are additives and other chemicals in our water systems which build up in the base of the water heater tank and cause the efficiency of the appliance to drop dramatically. You use more electricity for electric water heaters or more gas for the gas ones not to mention the extra water usage.

How do I drain my water heater you ask?

It's simple. First if it is electric, unplug the water heater. If it is gas turn the gas off. There is a valve at the gas line goin ginto the water heater near the bottom. Next, there is also a lever at the top of the water heater that is parallel with the plumbing connecting to the top of it. Turn it 1/4 turn until it is perpendicular to the water lines. (some older water heaters have a round knob that needs to be turned until it stops turning) This turns the water off to the water heater. Next, there is a hose connection at the base of the water heater. Connect a hose to it and run it to a tub or outside location. Then turn the valve at the hose connection on and the water will drain out. Now to flush the water heater go back to that knob or lever at the top and turn it on for a few minutes. Water will flow through the water heater cleansing the system. After you have done all of this you then close the valve at the hose, disconnect the hose and relight the pilot light (instructions should be on the water heater for relighting the pilot light) or plug the water heater back in. Leave the valve at the top of the water heater open. Congratulations! That's it you're done! Other than waiting for hot water which will take anywhere from 30 minutes to and hour.

Do you know you are suppose to change your furnace filters every month?

There is a small compartment located near the furnace blower. In this compartment is the filter. There are many sizes so before you rush out and buy one check the size you need. They have many types as well. Some very basic and cheap and others that can be reused by simply washing them out and replacing them. Again this should be done on a monthly basis even in the summer months. Your A/C uses the furnace to push cold air through the home just as the furnace pushes hot air through it.

Think your dyer is installed correctly?

Check the manual for the appliance. Most manufacturers will void your warranty if it is not installed correctly. Believe it or not most builders even do it wrong. A dryer can only have two ninety degree bends in the vent pipe. It also is can not o for a distance longer than twenty feet horizontally or vertically. The termination cap (the cover at the end either on the roof or at the outside wall) also has to be a certain type. You may need to clean this out from time to time as well. It is encouraged that you clean the whole line one per year.

Why is my carpet looking so worn out?

You need to vacuum and believe this rake your carpet once per week. Sounds strange but they actually sell carpet rakes. These keep the fibers from being tangled and having that smashed look. One other tip for those getting new carpet, Do Not Settle on the thin cheap pad. Padding is like a homes foundation it supports the things on top of it. Pay for the better padding. It'll save you in the long run and save your carpets from looking so worn.

Do you have a ceiling fan?

Did you know there is a little switch on the motor that changes the direction your fan blades turn? In the winter months you need to have the fan push the upward and in the summer months it should pull the air downward. You will know which is which by the feel of the air flow. If it is pushing upward the air feels softer as if it is hitting the ceiling first and then being pushed to the area below. By changing the fan directions you will save on energy cost.

Ok one last one for now....

Irrigation systems.

In southern California we have gardeners that come around once per week to take care of our lawns. Elsewhere we do it ourselves. Either way we all overlook a key component of our irrigation systems. Gardeners usually only mow and blow the clippings away. What most fail to do is check the sprinklers and valves. This is simple to do. On the irrigation timer there is a setting called manual or test. Use this to run the system on a one minute cycle. Use some kind of flag or marker and as the system runs mark each sprinkler that is not working properly. Chances are it is the filter that is clogged. Once the system finishes o back to the sprinkler that is not functioning correctly. You will need something pointy to pull the sprinkler head up out of the whole. They sell tools to do this but they are not required. Pull the head up and hold it tightly. I use vice grips with a light hold a the base to keep it from retracting. Next you'll see a top that can be unscrewed from the head. inside this you will find a replaceable filter usually blue in color. If they aren't to bad they can just be washed out. Once you put it back in replace the head and let the sprinkler retract. Run your system on test once again. Your problem should be fixed in most cases. You may need to make an adjustment to the spray however. This is done two by doing two things. One turn the head so the spray is going in the right direction and two if the pressure is to high or to low you can adjust the screw that is on top of the head in the center. This increases or decreases the pressure so that the water only sprays where it is needed in turn saving water cost.

One last thing you may want to do is check the timing on the stations located on the irrigation timer. Winter months require less watering and summer months need more. Again this could save you some serious water cost.

I hope these pointer have given you the guidance you need and help you save the things you spent some much money on. Some people like pictures to see what I am referring to in the tutorials i just gave so I apologize that I did not have the time to add them in this blog but if you Google the questions above you will find other sites that do offer these for you.

Thanks for reading.