Consider having
the air ducts in your home cleaned if family members suffer excessively
from respiratory infections asthma or allergies, there is visible
mold growth inside ducts or on other components of your heating and
cooling system, the ducts are infested with insects or rodents, or
excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually
released into the home from your supply registers.
DRAIN-WASTE AND VENT SYSTEM:
·
Flush out system.
HEATING:
·
Forced warm air heating system
Before turning on your unit, make
sure nothing flammable has been stored next to the furnace over
the summer. Also, change the filters regularly. Be sure all
access panels are secure, with all the screws in place. Be sure
the thermostat is set in the heating mode. Run your heater for
a few minutes to burn off the dust that usually collects on
the heat exchanger over the summer (don't worry, that smell
is normal) and to make sure it is in working order before you
need it. Arrange for service calls before the start of heating
and cooling season to get better attention and have more flexibility
when scheduling appointments. Consider hiring
a pro to perform a furnace maintenance check-up, including
these steps:
1. Inspect thermostat for proper
operation.
2. Inspect filter and change or clean as needed.
3. Check all electrical components and controls.
4. Oil motors as needed
6. Inspect heat exchanger for possible cracks, which would introduce
carbon monoxide into the living space.
7. Check air flow. If diminished, it may be necessary to clean
the evaporator coil and ductwork.
8. Check air fuel mixture, where appropriate.
Clean heat sensor, contact points, and contacts;
check accuracy and have professionally
replaced if necessary.
·
Heat Pump
Schedule
an annual service call to have a certified professional
to inspect the wiring, check belts and replace if needed, and
oil the moving parts. Arrange for service calls before the start
of heating and cooling season to get better attention and have
more flexibility when scheduling appointments.
·
Hot-water heating system
For steam heating, check shut-off valve for
leaks and drain lower water cut-off per manufacturer's instructions.
Lubricate pump and motor; bleed air from radiators or convectors.
If you have questions, contact
a service professional.
·
Oil-fired boilers
Hire
a professional for annual maintenance including flue cleaning,
a fuel-filter change, cleaning and adjustment of the jets. Arrange
for service calls before the start of heating and cooling season
to get better attention and have more flexibility when scheduling
appointments.
DOOR AND WINDOW WEATHERSTRIPPING:
·
Check the weatherstripping around all doors and windows
and replace
it if necessary to reduce drafts and the loss of heated air.
·
Make sure the weatherstripping on the door between
your garage and home is intact to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide
poisoning.
FIREPLACE AND CHIMNEYS:
·
The most important maintenance to do regularly is
to have
a pro clean your flue liners in order to prevent the build up
of creosote.
·
Have your wood burning fireplaces
and stoves
inspected annually and cleaned and repaired as required to prevent
chimney fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and mortar and flashing failure.
·
Water leaks can also cause your mortar to deteriorate
prematurely.
·
Consider installing a chimney cap to protect your
chimney from water, debris, and critters.
STORM WINDOWS AND DOORS:
·
Inspect all windows
and doors - replace any cracked or broken glass, tighten or repair
any loose or damaged frames and repaint if necessary; replace broken,
worn, or missing hardware; tighten and lubricate door hinges and closers;
check for broken or missing glazing.
·
Consider installing dual pane thermal windows to eliminate
all need to remove or replace storm windows.
GARAGE DOORS:
·
Clean and lubricate hinges, rollers, and tracks; tighten
screws.
Clear/install/repair
gutters and downspouts and make sure the runoff is directed away
from your home so it can't erode the soil around the foundation or
run into your basement or crawl space.
·
Install gutter accessories to divert water, channel
underground drain lines into existing yard drainage or storm sewers,
or consider installing
a dry well at the end of the drainpipe to slowly distribute the
water to surrounding soil.
LANDSCAPING:
·
Cut back any trees or shrubs that touching the exterior.
·
Check with a local gardening service or your county
extension agent for information about appropriate measures in your
area for fertilizing, thatching, aerating and reseeding lawn, and
controlling disease and insects in all your landscaping.
Inspect siding (especially on the south and storm
sides of the house) for evidence of deterioration, including cracks,
splintering, decay, and insect damage; clean, treat and repair as
needed.
Brick and stone: check joints between
wood and masonry. Waterproof,
repair or repoint if necessary. Wood: look for lifting
or peeling paint, splitting wood or areas where the wood
grain is separating ("checking"). This is evidence that water
is getting into the siding. Stucco: a chalky residue that rubs off on your hand is
evidence of oxidation, a deterioration of paint or color coat
that reduces stucco's insulating value. If the stucco is cracked,
this allows water to get in around windows and doors. Hire
a professional to correct the problem. Trim: look for peeling
paint on the fascia boards, window sills and sashes that
could allow water in to form mildew and fungus on the interior
of your home behind curtains, blinds and window coverings.
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