Check out these August Home Maintenance Tips from the professionals at Handyman Matters. It is never too late to start completing regular maintenance on your home, if you have questions about home maintenance contact your local Handyman Matters by calling 866-FIX-MY-HOME (866-349-6946), or visit us online atwww.HandymanMatters.com.
- Wash Windows – Don’t use ammonia because it can discolor glass, burn your skin and stain your carpet if you spill it. Do not use Windex, paper towels or newspaper. The best choice is “Glisten” solution. Buy a squeegee, lint-free towels and a washing bar (T-bar covered in cloth) and a razor blade holder. Wet window with the washing bar, then using a dry squeegee to remove the water. Dry with the lint-free towel. Use the razor blade on uncoated windows to remove paint or anything else on the window.
- Check Trim and Woodwork for Scratches, Cracking or Pulling Away – Reconnect with finish nails and use a “nail set” to push the nail head below the surface of the wood. Fill with caulking and touch up paint. If pulling away is dramatic, check for water leaks, which could grow dangerous molds.
- Check Crawl Space for Moisture & Leaks – Repair any water leaks or intrusions. Cover the soil with lime (changes the pH so mold won’t grow) and 3 mil plastic (overlap by 6”, but it doesn’t need to be continuous).
- Check All Sprinkler Zones for Coverage – Due to heat, check again to make sure your grass doesn’t develop brown spots.
- Flush Hot Water Heater & Re-Fill – Silt builds up on the bottom and since it heats from the bottom this hurts efficiency. Flushing it keeps silt out of your drinking, cooking and cleaning water. Here’s how: Turn off the water supply, hook a garden hose to the bottom spigot, run it outside and downhill. Once drained, run some fresh water into the water heater from the main water supply and let the hose drain until it stops. While empty, remove the electrode using a pipe wrench, clean and then wire brush and shop vac the burners. Check the gas line joints for proper seal by using “Leak-Detect” or by putting dish soap on the joint. Any bubbles mean you have a gas leak.
- Test All Smoke or Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Push the button on the unit to check it – a few minutes doing this each month could save your family’s life in a fire.
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