Summer Homeowners Checklist

As the weather starts to warm up and we begin to mosey our ways out of our winter hibernation, there are a couple of important homeowner steps to take to ensure that your Bosgraaf home is ready for the summer. Follow this handy check-list and check these items in and around your home and attend to any that may need maintenance. 

1.  Clean and test smoke alarms. 
2. Test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) breakers. 
3. Change or clean the furnace filter. 
4. Operate the air-conditioning system; if service is needed it is more conveniently arranged before the busiest part of the cooling season arrives. 
5.  Adjust registers and confirm that registers and cold-air returns are clear of furniture or draperies. 
6. Make certain the air-conditioner compressor is level and clear of debris. 
7. Turn the humidifier off (turn off the water, the damper, and the humidistat) 
8. Pour water down the basement floor drain. As drain water evaporates, sewer odors can seep into the house. 
9. Inspect grout around tile (floor or wall) and touch up as it likely dried over the heating season. 
10. Check caulking inside (around windows, trim, countertops, and plumbing fixtures) and touch up as it likely dried and separated over the heating season. 
11. Wash windows and screens, clean weep holes, and lubricate tracks. 
12. Start and adjust the sprinkler system. Test exterior faucets for broken pipes. 
13. Clean gutters and valleys, and confirm that downspouts or splash blocks drain away from the house. 
14. Look for the settling of backfill soils and fill in where needed. 
15. Check exterior paint and sand and touch-up as needed. 
16. Hand tighten the valves on PVC below your sinks. 

Have a great Spring and Summer!