R.K. & Associates
Design & General Contracting
Homeowner Checklists
Here are a few simple home preparation tips for safety, energy efficiency and the prevention of future costly repairs.
• Exterior
-Repair storm damaged roof shingles, gutters and down spouts. Clean out gutters and insure that they are draining properly to avoid water damage.
-Repair rotted decking, railings and trim on the exterior of your home.
-Examine the casings of windows and doors for seals that need re-caulking to prevent heat loss and water damage.
-Check the foundation for cracks that could allow water to penetrate. Fill the smaller cracks with a viscous or epoxy compound and the larger ones with a backing compound.
-Schedule a professional chimney cleaning to prevent fire hazard from creosote buildup. Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester.
-Use only seasoned hardwood as soft, moist wood accelerates creosote buildup. Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet away from your home.
-Remove branches hanging above the chimney, flues or vents.
-Cut back shrubs and other plantings around the foundation of your home and rake leaves away from the foundation to prevent moisture build-up. Insure that the grade slopes away from the foundation.
-Spray a diluted chlorine bleach solution around exterior areas of the home that are prone to mildew.
-Spray Diazanon around the perimeter of the house in the late spring to prevent ant and termite infestation.
-Repair cracks in asphalt driveways and walkways and reseal.
• Interior
-Schedule a home heating service call to ensure that your system is running efficiently.
-Check insulation in your attic and crawl spaces. Replace or add insulation, if required. Make sure that the insulation vapor barrier faces the ceiling.
-Install quality carbon monoxide, heat and smoke detectors.
-Replace batteries in all detectors annually.
-Trip each and every breaker on the breaker panel annually to insure proper operation.
-Test GFI outlets in kitchen, bathrooms, garage and basement annually to insure proper operation.
-Exercise (use) all shut off valves annually.
