Home Maintenance
Check list sheet
 |
Steps to help consumers
avoid large repair bills
Recommended
guidelines for Household care.
For Appliance maintenance, refer to the specific
owner’s manual. |
Kitchen
Household
Appliances |
Dishwasher
Twice a year
- place a small container filled with 1 cup of distilled white vinegar in both the
dish rack (lower) and the cup rack (upper); the dishwasher will disperse the vinegar
during the wash cycle.
Every 3-7 years
- Replace Water valves located behind the lower kick panel
Once a year
- Repair broken and rusted dishwasher racks.
Monthly - Clean
your dishwasher filter. (if you have one), filters are usually
located near the bottom, or under the lower spray arm.
Twice a year
- Clean your dishwasher spray arms.
Once a year
- Inspect the motor spin seal replace if necessary
Range and oven
- Replace 18-20 years
Once a month
- clean with non-abrasive cleanser - oven panel - stovetop - knobs
Once a month
- check interior light bulbs
Once a month
- clean drip pans, if they cannot be cleaned, you can replace them
Once a month
- Clean oven interiors with steel wool soap pads
Garbage disposal
- Replace 10 years
Once a month
- purge the drain-line by filling the sink with two or three inches of cold water.
Turn on the food waste disposer and allow this water to run through with no wastes
added.
Once a month
- clean blades - grinding ice cubes
Trash compactor
replace 10 years
Microwave - Replace - 10 years - Twice a week clean the interior
with a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda
to 1 cup warm water, rinse and dry.
Refrigerator - Replace
18-20 years
once a month - wash with a solution of 1-2 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart warm
water. Rinse and wipe dry.
Every 6 months
- clean the drain pan underneath the refrigerator that collects water
(if accessible).
Every 6 months
- Clean and vacuum cooling fan and the condenser coils.
Every 6 months
- Clean and check door seals/gaskets (replace if only if necessary).
Every 6 months
- built-in ice/water filter, replace the filter
Built-in
Kitchen
cabinets
Once a month - painted wood, metal
laminate, or vinyl, clean them with a warm soap-and-water solution and a sponge.
Twice a year - Tighten
knobs and pulls. Don't over-tighten.
Once a year - Remove and clean all knobs and handles
Once a year - Use beeswax or paraffin on drawers that have wooden
guides.
Kitchen Sink
- replace 50 years
Range Hood
exhaust fans - clean twice a year - Fan housing and filter - (metal filter)
place in dishwasher
Toaster Ovens - clean
monthly
Can Openers - clean monthly
Drip Coffee Makers - clean
twice a year |
|
Utility &
Laundry Room |
Clean &
Polish Cabinets
- painted wood, metal laminate, or vinyl, clean them with a warm soap-and-water
solution and a sponge.
Washer - Replace
14 years
Once a year - apply cleaner to a sponge wipe interior
Once a year
- check washer water fill hoses for cracks, blisters, corroded fittings and leaks.
(fill hoses, replace every three to five years, regardless of whether there is a
visible defect.)
Dryer -
Replace 14 years
Once a year
- apply cleaner to a sponge wipe interior
By usage -
Always clean lint stop with each use of the Dryer
Twice a year
- Disconnect the exhaust duct from the back and remove lint
Once a year
use a dryer vent brush to remove lint build up in the vent that leads to the outside.
Freezer care
- Replace 18-20 years
Once a month
- Wash interior walls and door liner with solution of 1-2 tablespoonfuls of baking
soda to 1 quart warm water, and wipe dry.
Every 6 months
Vacuum coils |
|
Other Major Appliances |
Change Furnace/Air
Conditioning Filters (Provided By Homeowner)
Air Conditioner - Replace
15 years/window unit 8 years
Every 6 months - Keep
condenser free from debris - broom or vacuum away any obstructions (compressed air
or soft bristle brush to wipe the dirt off). (Outdoor) check for shrubbery, leaves,
grass or dirt.
Every 3 Months - Clean
or change
air filter
Every 6 months - Clean
indoor through-the-wall coil
Brush and vacuum fan blades and enclosure area once a year
Clean drain line once a year
Hot Water Heater
Twice a year draw off a bucket of water until it runs clean.
Check the pressure-relief valve to make sure this crucial safety device
isn't clogged.
Furnaces
Once a month - Change or clean
filters.
Once a month - Inspect the furnace for worn, shiny and sagging belts.
Once a year - preventive maintenance check from a service company.
Once a year - Lubricate the motor with five drops of SAE 20 non-detergent
oil.
Don't overfill.
Once a year - Change the batteries in digital thermostats
Smoke detector - Once
a year - change the batteries - vacuum or blow sensor
Fireplace
Once a year - Check the
firebox for damaged brick and mortar that is crumbling or missing. These defects
usually can be repaired with refractory cement
Once a year - Damper
- Use a flashlight to check the damper for cracks,
pitting or rusted-out sections. Broken or corroded dampers should be replaced
Once a year - Check for
broken or damaged bricks and flue liners.
Once a year - inspect
for creosote deposits. – a black or brown residue of combustion that collects
on the inner surfaces of a flue liner. If it has built up to a thickness greater
than 1/8 inch, remove it.
Once a year - clean screen
glass doors and fire-screen.
Mesh curtains require dusting occasionally
with a soft brush. Never use
ammonia or ammonia based glass or household cleaners to clean the glass or metal
or abrasive cleaners.
Once ever 5 years -Apply a coat of carnauba wax or natural bees wax
to screen glass doors. Avoid heavy wax build-up that may trap dust or dirt. Buff
the wax with a soft, clean, dry cloth between and after applications.
Once a year - clean
fireplace Accessories and tools (brushes, scoop, etc.). |
|
Bathrooms |
Bathtub/Sink - replace 50
years
Toilet (flush
equipment) replace 5 years
Twice a week -Clean
and Sanitize All Fixtures (sinks, shower heads,
knobs, faucets, etc.)
Twice a week
-Clean all glass (shower
doors,
Mirrors, etc.)
Once a year
- Clean & Seal Ceramic
Tile Grout Lines- combine: 1 part vinegar, 1 part hydrogen peroxide,
1 part water, and a small brass brush.
Once a year
- Check plumbing lines for leaks (under
cabinets and back of
toilet)
Once a year
- Check around
toilet seal for leaks
Whirlpool / Hot Tubs
Every 6 months - Purge water
lines and check for leaks
Every 6 months
- Detail Clean All Openings & Nozzles
Every 6 months
- Clean Filter Screens of Mineral Deposits
Bathroom
Exhaust fan - Once a year - clean and
blow clean exhaust fan blades
|
|
Whole house |
Daily -
Vacuum & Edge
Carpeted Areas
Daily - Vacuum &
Clean
hardwood floors (with hardwood flooring Products)
weekly - Vacuum Cloth
Furniture
weekly - Dusting -
Knick-Knacks, Picture
Frames, Misc.
Monthly - Dusting -
Ceiling Fans
Monthly - Dusting
-
Chandeliers and Sconces
Monthly - Dust Walls, Clean Corners of Any Cobwebs
Monthly - Vacuum & Clean
Air Return/Ducts
Monthly - Clean & Treat
Leather Furniture
(with leather furniture Products)
Monthly - Spot-Clean Interior
Mirrors
Monthly - Wipe Fingerprints from
Doors & Walls
Monthly - Clean
Ceiling Fans or
Light Fixtures
Monthly - Spot Clean
Carpet
Yearly - Inspect and touch up
interior paint
Yearly - Wax and buff
hardwood floors
Yearly - clean
curtains and draperies
Yearly - Vacuum
Mattress & Rotate
Yearly - Clean
blinds and shades |
|
General Maintenance (Outdoors) |
Pressure Washing
Once a year -
Deck
Once a year -
Walkways
Once a year -
Driveway
Once a year -Window
Washing (Exterior)
Once a year -Window Washing (Interior)
Once a year -Window Washing (Screens,
Seals & Ledges)
Once a month - Garbage bin (outdoor)
Once a month -
Swimming Pool filters
(outdoor)
Exterior check (general condition) - once a month
Inspect foundation for water penetration, settlement, and cracks
Inspect or treat exterior wood for splintering, decay, and insect damage
Inspect roof for warping, aging,
moss, and cracking. Replace - Asphalt shingles 10 years/Replace Tile roofing 20-25
years
Inspect weather-stripping around
doors and replace as needed
Inspect bulkheads for decay, damage
repair if needed
Clean gutters and inspect
downspouts (twice per year)
Cut back any
trees or shrubs touching
the exterior of any buildings (twice per year)
Inspect exposed
plumbing areas for
dampness (twice per year)
Oil garage doors - (Once a year)
Replace Garage door opener after 10 years
Clean and lubricate sliding-glass-door tracks and window tracks
- (Once a year)
Perform seasonal pest control (quarterly) |