Servicing thousands of homes over the years has given me a fair idea of what a house requires in order to run safely and efficiently. Most homeowners aren’t aware of many of the items. The ones that are, don’t have the time to take care of them at the right intervals. What happens is I will get a phone call when something is already broken and my client is having an emergency. The issue could have been prevented if some regular maintenance was done.
Just like you take your car in for tune-ups every 6 months for oil changes, tire rotations, fluid top-offs, engine inspections, etc., so too a house needs regular maintenance at various intervals. Everything will run smoother and be more cost-effective, ultimately saving you thousands of dollars.
For example:
∙ Water heaters should be flushed annually. Doing so prevents deposit buildup which causes malfunctions and shortens the life of the unit dramatically. A new water heater costs at least $1000 to replace.
∙ Dryer vents should be cleaned out 1-2 times a year. Not only does this keep the dryer running smoothly and your laundry dry as quick as possible, but it is a critical safety issue. 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.
∙ Speaking of safety, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be cleaned regularly, and the batteries replaced annually. Most homes I am in have either expired units or ones without batteries, and no one ever cleans them out. Three of every five home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
∙ A routine plumbing inspection can catch a small or potential leak before it becomes a flood. Water damage repair can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
∙ A gutter clogged with leaves, sticks and other debris can cause a leaky roof or water damage to the interior or exterior of your home. Gunked-up gutters also make nice homes for pests, rodents, mold and honeycombs from bee infestations.
∙ Majority of my emergency calls involve appliance repair. Refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers all need routine maintenance. Not only do you want to avoid spending thousands to replace them, you want them running at their maximum capacity.
Here is the basic list of what my program includes:
∙ Gutter cleaning
∙ Drain clearing (tub/shower & sinks)
∙ Water heater draining & cleaning
∙ AC filter cleaning & replacement
∙ Water filter replacement
∙ Plumbing inspection
∙ Dryer vent cleaning
∙ Refrigerator coil cleaninga
∙ Dishwasher & drain hoses cleaning
∙ Garbage disposal cleaning
∙ Smoke detector testing, batteries & cleaning
∙ Door knob and hinges tightening & lubrication
∙ LED light bulb replacement
∙ Bathroom exhaust fan cleaning
∙ Garage door lubrication
∙ Bathroom hardware tightening
This is an investment in your most valuable asset: your home.