2020-2021 has been a rough year for everyone, from individuals to businesses alike. Now that the world is coming out of the pandemic and summer has arrived, more and more people are taking those long needed vacations, attending sporting events, having family get-togethers, etc. It is important during all that busyness not to forget your seasonal home maintenance. Doing a few simple tasks around the house can help to prevent or discover any issues you may have. It’s also a good time to tackle that honey-do-list. If these recommendations go beyond your skill level or lead to more involved repairs, that’s where Oak Grove Construction can come in to help.
INDOOR CHECKLIST:
1. Get your chimney cleaned. Yes, this sounds crazy. Who plans on using their fireplace in 90 degree weather? However, now is the perfect time to call as chimney cleaning services aren’t that busy.
2. Check your attic and basement. In your attic, you want to look for signs of dampness, mildew, leaks, holes in the roof and pests. In the basement, check for leaks, pests, mold and mildew.
3. Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct. Clean out all of the dust and lint trapped. Dryers can be a fire hazard if they are not cleaned and maintained. Failure to do so leads to 32% of all dryer related fires.
4. Check your dishwasher. Look for any signs of leaks under or around. Sometimes water damage can go unnoticed but a little preventative maintenance can save your kitchen from a dishwasher leaking under the floor.
5. Change your furnace filters. Routinely replacing your filter can help with air quality, extending the life of your unit and even help to lower your energy bill. The most important is the prevention of operating problems which can lead to fires or other serious issues.
6. Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Replace batteries or devices if necessary.
OUTDOOR CHECKLIST:
1. Get your cooling system ready. Consider getting your air-conditioning system serviced. Did you know that proper air conditioner maintenance can not only help your AC last longer, but can prevent air conditioner fires? This causes $82 million in property damage annually, according to a 2016 report by the National Fire Protection Association.
2. Check your crawlspace. Look for water damage, animals, or other foreign matter.
3. Check your siding. Look for siding that may be loose or rotted. Now is a good time to get that power-washer out.
4. Clean out the gutters and downspouts. These should be cleaned at least once a year, possibly twice if you have a lot of trees around your home.
5. Inspect your deck, patio or porch. Look for peeling paint, sagging roofs and damaged stairs. Check your deck to see if there are any boards that look like they’re rotting, any loose nails that need hammered back in or if your deck needs to be resealed.
6. Inspect the caulking around your window and doors. Adding fresh caulking will keep those pesky bugs at bay.
7. Protect your home against unwanted guests. Cover any holes that are more than a quarter inch wide. Trim back your tree branches at least 8 feet from the roof as to not allow squirrels access to your attic.