Contractor of the Year Awards
1996 Residential
Bath Under $15k

1995 & 1998 Best
Specialty Remodel

2005 Residential
Bath $30-$60k

Periodic Home Inspection & Maintenance Prevents Costly Repairs

Author - Unknown

Homeowners are wise to perform periodic indoor and outdoor inspections (Spring and Fall) of their homes in order to identify potential problem areas and prevent minor trouble spots from later becoming major repairs. Since the home, for most people, is the largest single purchase, it should be treated as an investment worth protecting. And, the drier and warmer months are the ideal time to embark on home repair and remodeling projects.

For most homes, the inspection will take only a few hours. Some practical tips on performing such an inspection are provided in the following paragraphs.

Exterior Inspection

Drainage. First, inspect your gutters, downspouts, and underground drains, if any, from the ground up. Also, if your home has splash blocks below the downspouts, ensure they are centered properly under your gutter drain and that they are tilted away from your home, repositioning them with soil, if needed. The considerable weight of winter debris (or snow at the higher elevations) can often bend your gutters out of shape so they no longer slope toward the drain. Carefully clear leaves and debris from your gutters. Using a garden hose, rinse out the gutters and run water through the downspouts. If the downspouts are clogged, disconnect them and run a broom handle through them. Once your gutters and downspouts are free of debris, check to see if water is heading for the downspouts by carefully positioning a ladder over your gutters and then pouring a container of water into the gutter. Note which direction the water flows. Repeat the task near every downspout and if you find water either pools in one spot or moves away from the downspout, the gutters may require repair or replacement. If a considerable amount of debris collects in your gutters, you may wish to install gutter guards which are available at your local building supplier and relatively easy to install.

Foundation. Inspect around and under the house. Remove any debris under the house or around the foundation. Ensure your soil is well-below your foundation of your home. Look for stress cracks in the concrete due to settling. If you have a raised foundation, look for dryrot, insect damage, sagging insulation, and un-insulated or leaky pipes underneath the sub-floor. You may easily and inexpensively wrap your exposed pipes with insulation purchased at your local hardware store. If, however, you note problems with the foundation, dryrot, or insect damage, we suggest you consult a licensed professional.

Masonry. If your home has a brick, block, or stone exterior, inspect the exterior walls and chimneys for loose or missing masonry and mortar. The do-it-your-selfer can replace missing masonry materials and point-up the mortar inexpensively by getting the materials and a trowel from the local building supplier. Clean out the chimney with an inexpensive chimney sweep, easily stored in your garage or attic. Check any metal flashing near the chimney for corrosion and make sure the chimney screen/spark arrester positioned on top is intact to prevent birds and rodents from entering your home, as well as sparks from flying to nearby roof or shrubs.

Windows, Siding, and Trim. While inspecting the exterior, also check siding for loose or sagging panels and trim. Visually inspect the soffits and fascia below the gutters for rotting and termite infestation. Contact a professional if you need further inspection, advice, treatment, or repairs. Inspect your doors and windows for proper operation and for sufficient caulking around the window trim. Re-caulk, as necessary, annually to avoid costly energy loss. Spray a silicone lubricant or equivalent on door hinges and window tracks to ensure smooth movement. Check your exterior painted and wood surfaces to see if it's time to repaint, reapply protective coatings, or refinish them.

Roofing. Look for missing, loose, or cracked shingles and irregular water drainage (evidence of water forming streams in specific parts of the roof). Such irregularities generally indicate that water is not draining properly into the gutters and is a problem best handled by a licensed professional.

Sprinkler System. And, last but not least, check your sprinkler system for leaks and coverage. Adjust automatic timers as suggested by your local water district. This will ensure your landscaping receives the water it needs, while conserving water at the same time. Aerate periodically and de-thatch your lawn annually. Apply and water-in gypsum to loosen soil particles, improve soil drainage, and produce a more beautiful landscape (check with your local nursery). And, by all means insulate all your exterior pipes and hose bibs to avoid freezing.

Interior Inspection

Heating and Air Conditioning System. Check your filter, replacing or cleaning it approximately once a month. Consider installing an electrostatically-charged replacement filter to improve the air quality, inexpensively. Drain and refill your hot water heater annually.

Plumbing. Check all exposed pipes for leaks and corrosion. Also, inspect all faucets for drips, including pipes under all sinks. Look at your ceilings and walls and check the attic for water stains which indicate either leaking pipes or a leaking roof. Consult a licensed professional.

Insulation. While you're in the attic, look at your insulation and then consult a professional to determine whether it is cost-effective to upgrade your insulation. Frequently, your local utility offers incentive programs and low or no-interest financing programs.

Interior Surfaces. Check your interior surfaces to determine if they need painted, refinished, re-grouted, or re-caulked. The do-it-your-selfer can often times handle these tasks. If, however, you observe mushy or discolored floors in bathrooms, consult a licensed professional.

SAFETY TIPS

Fire Safety. Test your smoke detectors to ensure they are in proper working order, replacing batteries. Ensure, at a minimum, that each bedroom and the kitchen has a smoke alarm. Check your fire extinguishers periodically.. Ensure you do not over-load your electrical circuits and you are cautious about the use of extension cords or multiple plugging devices. We suggest you contact a licensed professional if you need assistance. Check all electrical cords and replace any which are frayed. Around the holidays, make sure Christmas trees are in stands and are watered daily; interior and exterior decorative lights are in good working order and never left on while you're in bed or away from home.

Exterior Lighting and House Numbers. For your personal safety and that of your visitors, we suggest that you maintain your existing or install exterior lights at your front entry and walkway. Additionally, fire, police, and emergency service agencies recommend that you have large, prominently positioned, lighted house numbers, as well as painted curb numbers in such a location as not to be hidden by parked vehicles.

CONCLUSION

Taking a few hours out of your weekend once or twice a year to perform a detailed interior and exterior inspection of your home can prevent small repairs from becoming a major problem and expense, thereby protecting your largest single investment. Much of the routine maintenance can be performed by the homeowner with materials purchased at the local hardware or building supply store. Specialty and general contractors will provide inspections, consultation services, or needed repairs, but be cautious to make sure you hire a licensed and insured contractor. You can easily confirm the standing of a contractor by calling the California Contractor State License Board's 24-hour toll free number -- 1-800-321-CSLB.

Disclaimer: This is not intended to be a "How To Manual." Rather, it is intended to provide some general information to the homeowner on periodic maintenance. Consult a licensed professional for more information.

If you like this article please feel free to link to it or our home page: http://www.bergrescon.com