Owning Real Estate:
Maintaining:
Maintenance Schedule
Item to be checked
Monthly
Every Every Exterior
Item to be checked
Every 3 months
Every 6 months
Interior
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The health of a home is a lot like our own personal health.
If it is regularly checked and maintained, the chances of problems arising are less. With proper maintenance, if
and when problems do occur, there is less chance that they will blossom into major problems.
3 months
6 months
Roof: Visually check
shingles from ground. Watch for missing shingles or broken pieces. Check gutters and downspouts.
Gutters and downspouts:
Check and remove any debris to assure unobstructed water flow away from foundation.
Veneer or siding: With
brick, watch for deteriorating bricks or masonry. For siding, watch for warping or rot. Check all painted surfaces.
Windows and doors:
Check caulking around doors and windows, glazing around window panes.
Lawn and garden: Watch
for accumulation of tree limbs, branches, debris that can attract wood eating insects.
Asphalt Driveways:
Check for cracks or deterioration. Reseal if necessary.
Heating and cooling:
Make sure outside unit is unobstructed. Clean unit with garden hose.
Monthly
Attic: Examine for
evidence of any leaks
Baths: Check for evidence
of any leaks, especially around toilets and under sinks (vinyl tile will usually discolor if water is getting underneath
it). Check grout on any ceramic tile.
Kitchen: Check for
leaks under sink and around dishwasher. Check burner operation on stove. Check grout on any ceramic tile.
Kitchen: Clean dust
from refrigerator condenser (rear of unit).
Heating and Cooling System:
Change filter, check coils for buildup
Heating and Cooling System:
Professional check and "tune up" before the heating and cooling seasons.
Water Heater: Check
for signs of leaks.
Water Heater: Drain
to remove any sediment. In areas with hard water, drain every 3 months.
Smoke Detectors: Check
operation
Smoke Detectors: Change
batteries
Basement or crawl space:
Check for cracks or any sign of dampness or leaks. Check for any evidence of termites or wood eating insects.
