Top
Ten Tips: How to Protect your Investment
You've
just made one of the largest investments you'll ever make and you're keen
on protecting that investment for years to come. Maintaining your home
is not difficult, as long as you know what to look for, do your check-ups
regularly, and keep on top of things before they become too challenging.
Here are the Top Ten Tips to help you care for your home:
Exterior
1) Check the caulking and paint on the exterior.
Are there cracks? Is there peeling?
Tip:
If you have joints in the wood trim opening up, remove or scrape off all
the paint, stain or caulking. Make sure the surfaces are clean and dry
before applying new caulking or paint, and check that it's the proper
caulking and paint/stain for the job.
2) Lawn looking poorly? Bugs gnawing on the
grass roots?
Tip:
Fertilize your lawn four times a year. Check with a local nursery for
advice on the proper formulation for your area. When watering your lawn,
start your sprinkler in late evening or early morning so as not to put
the lawn under stress in the heat of the day. Respect water rationing
and water only on days allowed for your address. Also check for "leatherjackets".
Keep those pesky little bugs in control by spraying with Diazinon in the
spring and fall.
3) Overflowing gutters? Debris in your downpipes?
Tip:
Inspect and clean gutters and downpipes at least once every year, usually
in the fall, to remove leaves and other debris. This ensures that rain
water can drain freely into the run-off system.
Exterior and Interior
4) Squeaky latches or stuck door locks?
Tip:
To ensure proper operation of all door locks and latches, use a "graphite"
lubricant and spray into the lock mechanism. Do not use WD-40 or a silicone
spray since this tends to "gum" the mechanism and make operation
difficult over time.
5) Windows and patio doors stiff?
Tip:
If your vinyl windows and patio doors become stiff and hard to open and
close, apply a small amount of silicone spray to the track. As in 4) above,
avoid WD-40.
Interior
6) Filthy Furnace Filter!
Tip:
Inspect and clean the furnace filter every fall. Replace the filter at
least once a year at this time, more frequently if any renovations or
drywall work has been done in the home. Have the furnace cleaned and checked
by a professional once a year to ensure proper operation of all components,
and to maintain the warranty.
7) Any caulking problems in the kitchen or
bathrooms?
Tip:
Ensure that all silicone caulking around the kitchen and bathroom sinks
is in good condition. If any areas show wear or deterioration, replace
immediately. Be sure to check around tubs and shower enclosures at least
once a year, where problems can frequently occur, and replace any worn
or damaged silicone. For tubs, fill with water before installing new caulking
to allow tub to settle away from the wall tile to its full extent.
8) More caulking concerns?
Tip:
Maintain the caulking between the tub, toilet, cabinets and vinyl flooring.
Water spilled on the floor can penetrate below the vinyl and cause discolouration
of the vinyl and swelling of the underlayment. If that happens, it will
require complete replacement, so be alert!
9) How about grouting problems?
Tip:
Reseal the grout on tub and shower surrounds at least once a year. Be
sure to use a silicone sealer spray, available from your local home improvement
centre or hardware store. Allow this to dry completely before reusing
the tub or shower. Useful hint: It is best to wipe the tile down after
a shower to remove excess water.
10) And finally, the wax seal.
Tip:
If a toilet is removed to replace the flooring, and especially if a different
type of floor is installed such as ceramic tile, ensure that the wax seal
in the plumbing drain line is also replaced with one large enough to match
the depth of the new floor.
