Winter Home Check-Up List
By Owen Whetzel
Cooler months are a time to give your house a good check-up and tune-up. Here are some suggestions -- most of which you can handle -- but be prepared to call in a professional home inspector or contractor, if needed:
-- BASEMENT and FOUNDATION -- Check for signs of water leaks or cracks. Repair any small, hairline cracks with an epoxy crack filler. Large cracks should be examined by a structural engineer, to determine the extent of damage. Inspect all wood for any signs of insect damage or dry rot.
-- CRAWL SPACE -- All vents should be unobstructed. Pay particular attention to where plants or debris might be blocking your vents and remove the blockage. Check plumbing pipes for apparent leaks. Check beneath bathrooms for water damage. Examine all wood for any indication of insect or water damage. Check piers and foundation walls for any sign of termite tunnels or cracking.
-- HOT WATER HEATER -- Remove any dust, spider webs or debris, that has collected on and around the heater. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve on the heater and drain the water to a safe location (Be Careful! The water will most likely be HOT! which could scald you or damage plants). Keep the water running for several minutes. If you have a gas water heater, check the color of the burner flame. If it isn't burning blue, then you should adjust the flame control. See the owner's manual, which came with the water heater, for details on how to adjust the flame, other recommended maintenance tasks, and instructions for testing the temperature and pressure relief value (T & P valve).
-- PLUMBING -- Repair leaking faucets. Check toilet bases and the area between the tank and bowl for leaks. Repair any missing caulk, particularly around tub and shower areas. Check the angle stops (wall faucets) that control water to toilets and sinks, and make certain that they turn off and on smoothly and easily. Pull out pop-up drains and clean them. They're often the cause of slow draining water.
-- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM -- Switch each circuit breaker on and off several times, to make sure none are sticking or to feel if the switch is loose or sloppy. Replace or have replaced any that may possibly be defective. Test all ground fault circuit interrupters to make certain they are operating. Replace any that aren't. Then test each switch and receptacle in the house. If any aren't working, correct the problem immediately.
-- FURNACE -- Shut furnace off. Inspect the filter. If washable, clean it. If disposable, and it's dirty, replace it. Vacuum the air intake grill and all accessible areas of furnace. If blower motor is not permanently lubricated (sealed), oil according to the manufacturer's instructions. Turn furnace on or relight according to instructions provided with the unit. If a gas unit, spray a soap and water solution on incoming gas lines, to check for leaks. Carefully vacuum thermostat.
-- CLOTHES DRYER -- Vacuum the lint trap, the area beneath the trap, if accessible, and the vent pipe. Check the vent cover outside and replace it, if the hinged door is damaged. If you have a gas dryer, make sure the flame is extinguished and then remove any lint that has accumulated around the burner.
-- EXHAUST FANS -- Clean fan grills and blades. If attic fans don't have dampers, and you aren't using the fan to control attic humidity, you might want to cover them during the winter months.
-- ROOF and GUTTERS -- Roofs, which you can inspect from the ground using binoculars, are best inspected by a licensed, qualified roofer or roofing inspector, who routinely does roofing inspections.
To loosen and scoop debris from gutters, use a plastic gutter scoop or child's sand shovel. An old rubber spatula, plastic putty knife and stiff-bristle non-metallic brush are also handy for removing sticky organic growth. Don't use any tool that you wouldn't use in a Teflon cooking pan, as you don't want to scratch the gutter's surface or any trim paint.
Complete the job by flushing the gutters with water from your garden hose. Downspouts can be flushed by running a garden hose up the inside of the downspout; however -- and I mention this from experience -- there may be a blast of water coming out of the gutter above your head. Cleaning gutters is a ugly job, but avoiding a cold, wet shower makes it more tolerable.
-- FIREPLACE -- A fireplace is another area of a house, where you should have a trained professional inspect for possible problems. A damaged fireplace can be a potential fire hazard and prone to collapse in an earthquake.
Walk around your house several times. Take note of damaged paint, missing weatherstripping, or other damage that should be repaired. If you haven't had a thorough home inspection in a number of years, now may be the time to bring in a professional home inspector. He or she can check the areas I've mentioned, plus many more. Talk with a local Realtor for a referral to an experienced, qualified home inspector.
If you are a California resident and decide to have the work done by a contractor, before entering into a contract you should request a free copy of "What You Should Know Before You Hire A Contractor," from the State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs, Contractors State License Board (CSLB). For the booklet to be mailed to you, phone (800) 321-2752 (24-hours a day) and record your request, along with your full name and address. You may also read the booklet or download it from the Board's Web site: http://www.cslb.ca.gov/services/guides.asp.