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Roof
Maintenance
It
is
important to remember that
roofs do not wear out evenly; some components deteriorate long before
others.  Have your roof
professionally inspected every 3-5 years. Its better to
catch developing problems before they result in leakage.
Check
rain gutters around your home
once every year, particularly just before the rainy season. Gutters
tend
to become congested with leaves and other debris.
Note:
Rain gutters are not required,
but they are recommended for all homes in order to minimize moisture
conditions
at the foundations and below the building structure.
Water
Heaters
The
average water heater may last only 7-10 years, and the average
replacement
cost is 250.00 to 300.00. In order to prolong the longevity of your
existing
unit, here are three simple suggestions. Make sure the temperature setting
on your water heater is not turned to
maximum. A midrange setting will help the fixture to last longer and
will also prevent accidental scalding. Drain your water heater at least
once, or even twice, each year. This
will
help to remove the sediment which accumulates at the bottom of the
tank.
Install a water softening system,
or magnetizer system.
Smoke
Alarms
 Test all
smoke alarms at least once
every month. Most smoke alarms are equipped with test buttons, but the
best test is to hold a match a few inches below the fixture. If there
is
a gas appliance in the home, purchase a high quality carbon monoxide
detector.
Utility
Shutoffs
Be
familiar with the locations of
all electric, water, and gas shutoffs.
These strategic devices should
be
readily accessible in the event of an emergency. Check the water
shutoff
valve once a year to be sure that it turns. The shutoff valve on your
gas
meter can only be turned off with a wrench. IN the event of a gas leak,
it is a wise idea to have a dedicated wrench at the gas meter, and
fastened
to the meter.
Gas
Burning Fixtures
Many
people are unaware that the local gas company will conduct a complete
safety check of all gas burning fixtures to be sure that they are safe,
properly adjusted, and fully operational. This service is provided free
of charge and is recommended as part of the annual routine home
maintenance.'
Fireplaces
and Wood Stoves
When a
fireplace or wood stove is used regularly, annual routine maintenance
should include a checkup by a certified chimney sweep. In addition to
removing
creosote build-up in the flue, a chimney sweep is best qualified to
detect
other unsafe or illegal fireplace conditions.
 Site
Drainage
When
landscaping around your home, be sure that all ground surfaces
and paving are sloped away from the structure. This will help minimize
the moisture conditions at the foundations and below the structure.
Dual-Pane
Windows
Dual-pane
windows have excellent
insulating properties and significantly reduce heat loss in a home. A
common
problem with dual-pane windows is moisture leakage at the seals. When
this
occurs, condensed moisture between the panes results in fogging. This
is
most often the result of a manufacturing defect. Many companies who
produce
dual-pane windows will replace those windows which leak.
 Qualified
Licensed Contractors
When
having repairs done on your home, it is strongly recommended that the work be
performed by qualified licensed contractors, especially when
the work involves electrical, plumbing, gas-burning fixtures, roofing,
or foundations. In addition to having the knowledge and expertise
necessary
to perform the work in a substantial manner, a licensed contractor is
legally
accountable for defects in workmanship.
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