With tomorrow being the first day of Spring, now is a great time to get the house ready and prepared for the spring and summer months. With this wild and crazy weather we have had all winter, I am looking forward to a little more warmth and a lot less snow. I think now I am fairly confident in saying the lowland snow is gone for good! Below are some helpful hints to prepare your home for the coming months:
- Replace/clean your furnace filter. The filter should be checked on a monthly basis. Most dirty filters can be rinsed out with a garden house and re-installed once it has completely dried.
- Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and filter. Keeping the filter clean of grease can prevent stove top fires.
- Check the home’s electrical systems. Look for any signs of burn marks. Reset the GFI circuits throughout the house by pressing the test button followed by the reset button. Visually inspect all switches and outlets. If any look worn, they should be replaced by an electrician.
- Check fire extinguishers and detectors. Check to make sure you have an easily accessible fire extinguisher and it is still properly charged. Make sure everyone in the family knows it’s location and how to safely use the device. If you forgot to replace the batteries in the smoke detectors during the time change, now is a great time get those replaced.
- Check all lighting. Even with the long summer days and less use of light, it is important to check outdoor and indoor lighting for safety. Make sure the bulbs all function and the replacement bulbs are the proper wattage.
- Air Conditioners: Check to make sure it is free of debris, and leaves and other items have not accumulated behind the conditioner and the house. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance directions and have it serviced if necessary.
- Check roof for damage. With the amount of snow we recieved over this past winter it is important to check the roof for any damage caused by the snow. Having multiple days of snow piled on the roof can cause stress damage in the structure. Inspect the attic and look for any cracks or splinters in the rafters. Look for water marks in the plywood. Outside look for areas that appear to sag or droop. If you feel confident and safe walking on your home’s roof, wait for a dry day and carefully remove leaves that have accumulated in valleys or in the gutters.
- Repair cracks in driveways/walkways. Cracks and high points are trip hazards to your family and any guests.
- Water Heater. Check to make sure the vent is free of obstruction and is clean. Check around the heater for signs of leaks. If rust or water marks are observed, have a plumber come out and look and the heater and decide if it needs to be replaced.
- Water shutoff. Check to make sure the water shutoff in your home still is functioning. Check to make sure it shuts the water off completely in case of a plumbing emergency. Check that everyone in the family knows where the valve is located and how to turn it off.
- Clothes Dryer. Clean all lint out of exhaust ducting and underneath dryer. Lint is a fire hazard and a build up in the ducting will cause your dryer to run at lower efficiency wasting time and money.
- Extension Cords. When the power tools and vaccums come out for maintenance, so do the extension cords. Old and worn cords should be replaced. They can cause electrical shock and fires. If the ends of the cords feel loose when plugging in items, replace the ends. They can be purchased at any hardware store.
Hopefully you found these suggestions helpful. If you need any help and/or guidance with any of these items, Allen Construction Services, Inc. is available to help. We can tackle any handyman/maintenance project and can repair any damage you may see. We also have wonderful electricians and plumbers we work with on a regular basis if you find any damage to the plumbing and electrical systems. Contact us today if you would like a home check up or have any questions. Call 425.313.1813 for more information.
