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South facing materials
age fastest. |
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Have no direct ground
to wood contact. |
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Rake leave and debris
away from the house and leave 2" to 4" minimum of
foundation showing. Look for peeling paint and loose caulking.
Replace caulk-don't just go over old-remove and then
add new. This is what keeps water out of your home. |
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Maintain a positive
grade away from your house. |
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Look for cracks in brick
or foundation mortar then to see if they get any larger. They
may be nothing or signs of settlements. |
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Look for wood decay-termite
tubes. |
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Clean up your house
with a cleaning solution such as TSP and bleach. (Be careful
around lawn and shrubs.) A power washer can be rented to speed
up the job. This helps clean up and removes dirt, dust, cocoons
etc...and helps preserves wood, vinyl, stucco-what ever siding
and trim you have. |
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If you have a deck check
the boards to see that you have a gap (spaces) between them.
This is very important for drainage, otherwise it will shorten
the life of the material. Check deck posts buried in the ground
for rot. |
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Check your garage door
to see if they reverse themselves under pressure. |
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Have your septic system
checked out or pumped out. |
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Seal deck, brick or
any exterior horizontal surface subject to snow and ice. |
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Wash windows in and
out, check exterior sill covers for drips. |
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Check your roof - use
binoculars if you are unable to get on it. |
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Gutters and downspouts
must be kept clean and in proper condition-water must get away
from the house. |
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Check chimney flue,
mantel and damper. |
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Check ceramic tiles
- if loose grout, clean and seal. Replace if need be. |
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Check under sinks -
shut off valves - look for green crust or water stains - catch
problems early. |
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Pull out refrigerator
and vacuum coils and clean drip pan. |
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Check electrical outlets
and test breakers. |
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Lubricate parts with
WD40. |
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Vacuum smoke alarms,
check for bugs and dust - test them. |
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Check burners - have
a professional service clean it and tune up. |
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Keep an eye on fittings. |
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Check mechanical systems
- they may need maintenance - plumbing - heating - cooling -
wiring. |
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Ventilation - very important!
Most houses don't have enough - don't cover vents in the attic. |
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Drain off bottom of
hot water tank - sediments build up. Check pressure relief valve. |
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| The key is an ounce of
prevention. |
| Find any sign of trouble
before it becomes big! |
