Updated: Jun 1, 2021
Everyone knows that when the spring arrives, its time to make the maintenance needed in your Home
Replace your furnace filter
Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter
Check your electrical system
Always have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible.
Make sure the light bulbs in all your fixtures are the correct wattage
Review your fire escape plan with your family
Consider installing a lightning protection system on your home
Protect all your electrical appliances from power surges and lightning
Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer
Check for damage to your roof
Run through a severe-weather drill with your family
Repair all cracked, broken, or uneven driveways and walks to help provide a level walking surface
Protect your home from sewer or drain backup losses
Check all the fascia and trim for deterioration
Check your water heater
Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function
Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer
Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged
Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
It should be checked once a month and replaced or cleaned as needed.
Some filters are reusable and are supposed to be taken out, washed with a hose, and re-inserted.
A dirty filter can lower the efficiency of the heating/cooling system, increase heating costs, and causing fires.
Keeping this clean of cooking grease will help keep a stovetop fire from spreading.
Look for burn marks at the main electrical panel; they can be a sign of arcing inside the panel, which can easily lead to a fire. Loose connections or damaged insulation can cause arcing. Note: Only a qualified electrician should remove the front panel cover.
Trip and reset the circuit breakers regularly.
Remove any combustible materials such as paper boxes or flammable liquids from the area near the main electrical panel. Sparks caused by arcing inside the panel can ignite material stored nearby.
Check all electrical outlets for loose-fitting plugs they are an indication of a worn-out receptacle. Worn receptacles should be replaced as they cause overheating and fires. Also, check electrical outlets and switches to be sure they work properly. If any switches, outlets, or receptacles do not work, have a qualified electrician determine the problem and fix it to avoid fires inside the walls of your home.
Install safety covers to help protect children from electrical shock. Any appliance or tool that gives even the slightest shock should be unplugged and checked by an electrician or repair shop.
Make sure it is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed or Factory Mutual (FM) approved. Check the gauges to make sure they are charged and ready to use.
The light fixture manufacturer recommends the correct wattage. If too high a wattage bulb is used in a light fixture, the heat produced inside the fixture can lead to fire inside the fixture, ceiling, or wall.
Protect all your electrical appliances from power surges and lightning.
Maintenance should include:
Cleaning the evaporator coil
Lubricating fans and motors
Tightening or changing any belts
Checking electrical safeties
Checking the drain pan for leaks
Testing the capacitors
Check the condensate drain
Test the crankcase heater
Calibrating the thermostat
Visually checking the wiring for potential short circuits
These steps can help decrease the chance of fire, save money by making the system run more efficiently and help prevent breakdowns.
Things you can maintain yourself:
Check the condensate hose to be sure it is not blocked with algae.
Clean the outside condensing unit screen of leaves.
Listen for unusual noises.
Signs include missing, curling, cupping, broken or cracked shingles. Pooling or ponds of water that fail to drain from flat roofs may indicate low areas and inadequate drainage.
This will help prevent guests and family members from slipping, tripping, or falling.
Read more on our page about Wet Basements by clicking here.
These areas can become weathered and worn and may lead to potential water damage. Check more by clicking here.
If you have a gas-fired water heater, check to make sure it is venting properly. Light a match next to the vent and wave it out (don’t blow it out). See if the smoke is pulled up into the vent. If it isn’t, have a professional inspect and repair it. Otherwise, carbon monoxide and other combustibles can build up in the home.
Check around the base of your water heater for evidence of leaks. If your water heater is over 5 years old, it should be checked monthly for any leakage or rusting at the bottom. If water leakage or rust is found, the water heater should be replaced.
Know the location of all valves and what equipment and water lines they serve. Teach all family members.
Poor maintenance allows lint to build up in the exhaust duct and cause a fire.
Exposed wires may cause arcing, which will produce heat and can start a fire. Care should also be taken to keep appliances and their power cords away from water or a heat source because this will damage the cord’s insulation.
Need some help with Spring Maintenance? The Ultimate Handyman can help! Just give us a call at (323) 651-0635
email us or simply book an appointment by clicking here
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How often do you schedule a job with a client, agree upon a price, but then while you are there they begin to bring up additional projects they would like for you to complete. Do you price those as a discount since they are already paying you for the current projects, or do you complete the current projects and then reschedule a new appointment for a latter date with your normal pricing schedule. The example I have is creating closet shelves for a client and replacing the trim around the closet doors, but now she wants to replace the trim around all the doors. I agreed, but need to know now if we should have a discussion concerning pricing …