A well-maintained home is safer and more comfortable to live in and also improves its salability if you should put it on the market. An example of a maintenance issue that would make a home more comfortable is proper/effective sealing (weather stripping and caulking). Weather stripping the doors and windows, caulking around the door and window frames, and caulking around other penetrations, such as plumbing and electrical penetrations, not only keeps the items off the inspector’s list but may have the highest cost-to-payback ratio of any maintenance you can do. You would not want to leave a window open year round but that is what a poorly sealed home can be compared to with regard to your comfort and energy cost. While you have that caulk gun warmed up make sure that the caulk in wet areas, such as the tub/shower, is keeping moisture in its place.
Another example where maintenance adds to the comfort/ salability of the home is the heating system. Along side the water heater, heating systems are arguably the most taken for granted systems in today’s home. Heating systems should be inspected and adjusted annually by a qualified HVAC technician. Debris build-up in the burner chamber can alter the fuel-to-air mixture and reduce its efficiency. A failure in the furnace may cause high levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO) in your home, so have it maintained regularly. Write the service date on a card by the system. If your heating system is over 10-15 years old, the payback to replace it with a more efficient model may be in the two- to three-year range.
Roofs are another overlooked area in many of the homes I visit as a home inspector. Just because the roof isn’t leaking doesn’t mean that it doesn’t need maintenance. If you have a fear of heights or even lack experience working at heights, this will be something you want to have performed by a professional. Leaking roofs can cause damage to the interior of the home which may cost more to repair than the roof repairs. Even worse, undetected or ignored roof leaks may contribute to bio-organic growth such as mold and mildew. Flat roofs need maintenance every two years or less and if your roof is pitched, sealing around the roof’s penetrations should be done every two years. The sun we so love here in the southwest sends UV rays that are as harmful to some roofing components as they are to our skin. Use sunscreen and maintain your roof.
Another energy-saving and safety-related issue is the dryer vent in your home. A clogged dryer vent can add substantially to the energy cost to operate your home. Some claims I have read indicate that it may cost an additional $15.00 a month to dry your clothing if the dryer vent is full of lint. More importantly, clogged dryer vents are a leading cause of home fires. After cleaning the vent, replacement of the plastic flexible vent extension that extends between the dryer and the wall vent is also recommended. The metal extensions have less resistance than plastic, and may help contain a fire if one should occur. The new expanding metal dryer-to-outside vent extensions also allow you to place the dryer closer to the wall without crushing the vent extension.
These are some great starts to a proper maintenance program for your home. Added comfort, reduced energy cost, increased salability of your home--three great reasons to start today. If you need some help learning how to do some of this maintenance, search the Internet to find some specific how-to sites. A great site for energy tips can be found at http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/housing/power-smarts/
Information provided by:
WIN Home Inspection Paul Norris
Certified Real Estate Inspector
P.O. Box 15758
Rio Rancho, NM 87174
(505) 892-5599 -Rio Rancho
(505) 466-7243 Santa Fe
www.wini.com
Contact Paul Norris for your next Home Inspection
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