5 Home Maintenance Tips

2/12/2016

Sometimes, the health of your home isn’t about major repairs or massive upgrades.  A few small maintenance checks here and there are all you need to make sure that your home is working the way it needs to be on a daily basis.

5 Home Maintenance Tips

So today, let’s take a look at 5 quick home maintenance tips designed to keep your home shipshape.

1. Filter and Vents. Make sure that your ventilation filter is clean.  The filter used by your furnace and HVAC needs to be replaced every 3-6 months (sometimes sooner, sometimes later depending on frequency of use).  As we’ve mentioned in previous posts, it’s a good idea to write the current date when you install a new filter for future reference. You should also make sure that any vents, registers, external vents, and dryer vents are all clear and unblocked.  Blocked vents reduce airflow and can, in cases such as the dryer vent, lead to accidental fires if they aren’t clear.
2. Test Sump Pump. You should test your sump pump at least twice a year.  Testing is very simple since you merely need to check the drain lines to make sure they aren’t damaged or clogged.  Once you’ve made sure they’re clear, open the cover for your pump and pour water over the pump.  It should engage, pump out the water, and then shut itself off.  If one of these steps fails, replace the pump.
3. Drain Water Heater Sediment. Over time, minerals, dirt, and other contaminants from the miles of pipe that water has to travel can accumulate in your hot water tank.  These amounts are very small, as municipal water is clean and the pipes are well maintained, but they still exist and will build up over time.  Most water heaters have a sediment draining line at the base.  Be sure to let the water cool before draining!
4. Clean Condensate Lines. If you’re seeing water pooling around your furnace, the condensate drain lines are likely clogged. A drain hose and chemical cleaning tablets are a common solution for clearing these lines.  If problems persist, the problem is likely elsewhere and you should consult a professional for further cleaning.
5. Test Water Pressure. You may think you want high water pressure, but when that pressure is too high it’s disastrous for your home!  55-75 PSI is the value you want for your home (with 75 being a rough limit on too much pressure).  High pressures can damage pipes and seals while being responsible for the “water hammer” banging noise common to pipes.  Simply purchasing a pressure gauge and testing the pressure at a faucet can let you know if you need to call a plumber.

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