Homes don’t come with instruction manuals. There are plenty of books and guides out there, but the fact is that many owners aren’t familiar with some of the simple tasks that need to be performed to keep every part of your house looking and operating as it should for as long as possible.
An attractive and intact layer of paint protecting your home is one thing we can help you with at Zenith Painting & Coatings, but there’s a lot you can do yourself to keep your home in good shape. Try going down this checklist periodically—it’s a little bit of a chore, sure, but it’s much less of a chore than actually repairing these issues if they get out of control!
You should always be on the lookout for new cracks in need of repair, but areas you’ve already caulked over are especially prone to further damage. Check these areas periodically and touch up as necessary.
2. Test Waterproofing
Decks and other outdoor features exposed to the weather will occasionally need their waterproofing sealants replaced. Give them a good look, and if any areas seem worn or damaged, try sprinkling some water on. If it beads up you’re in luck, but if it seeps in, you’ve got a little work to do.
3. Door Doctoring
If your home has a rarely-used guestroom or rear entrance, the doors to these areas may have been neglected. Check all your doors to see if any need oiling, and make sure all locks are operating properly. Windows that are usually left closed can also suffer damage without a homeowner noticing, so check them too.
4. Hot Water Insulation
Water heaters and hot water pipes should be insulated, and unlike home insulation, it’s a very simple job that a single person can easily take care of. If you don’t already have one, an insulating blanket is easy to lay over your heater, and pipes can be wrapped and taped with foam insulation. This will save water, save energy, and save money.
5. Leak Hunting
Check all your plumbing for any small leaks that could become big problems. Look in basements and under sinks.
6. Clean or Replace Filters
Ventilation, furnace, humidifier—they can all get clogged. The permanent metal grills covering your air ducts can also become obstructed so vacuuming them occasionally is smart.
7. Smoke and Fire
Make sure all your smoke detectors are working and that you have a valid fire escape plan that hasn’t been changed by a remodel or furniture rearrangement. This helps to protect the most important part of your home: your family.
With these chores taken care of, you’ve done more to protect your investment in your home than many people do. And if you happen to have noticed peeling paint on your home inspection, give Zenith Painting a call at 800-381-4601. We’ll take care of all the work for you, and we’ll even get you started with a free estimate.
[/column]