Home maintenance isn't restricted to repairs. In fact,
certain tasks, when performed regularly, may actually prevent things from
breaking in the first place. But when things do go wrong (and it's inevitable
that they do), we have some backup plans that you can try before you grab the
phone to call for pro. Appliances and plumbing are the most frequent offenders,
but they also often can be the simplest to care for. From the gutters to the
living room carpet, there's a reliable method for keeping every part of your
home clean, safe, and well maintained:
Test your garage door opener monthly to ensure that it
reverses when it hits an obstruction or when its sensor beam is interrupted.
Vacuum the clothes dryer's exhaust duct at least once a
year. If the duct is plastic, replace it (it's a fire hazard). Rigid
sheet-metal ducting is best.
Replace furnace filters quarterly, or as recommended by the
furnace manufacturer.
Test all GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets
monthly. Press the test button and use a voltage tester to make sure the power
goes off.
Clean leaves and debris from the condenser of a central air
conditioner seasonally.
Once a year, vacuum the refrigerator coils underneath the
appliance.
Have the fireplace chimney inspected and cleaned annually.
Inspect window and door caulking and weather stripping
yearly.
Replace the batteries in smoke detectors yearly. And
remember, even recent hard-wired smoke detectors have backup batteries that
must be replaced. If you have never checked yours, do so.
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