Home Maintenance Checklist - Part 3

We started this home maintenance series because when we say “love where you live”, we also mean showing your home the love and care it needs to stay in the best shape over the lifetime of your ownership. Don’t miss part 1 and part 2!

(Quick reminder - we share a short list of home maintenance items that are approachable in our newsletter each month. Sign up using the form below to be added to the list.)

Here are the top recommendations for home maintenance this fall from Taylor Vreeken at Professional Inspection Services. 

1. Cleaning your rain gutters (annually)
   Rain gutters, when properly installed, manage storm water from your roof and keeps excessive water away from the homes foundation. Clogged rain gutters trap water and can be a potential hazard when over-weighted. 

2. Cleaning and inspecting your Fireplace and Chimney (annually)
   To prepare for typical use of a wood burning fireplace, an annual cleaning and inspection should be performed to insure safe burning for the upcoming colder months. 

3. Freeze Protection (annually)
   Multiple areas around the central coast get below freezing temperatures in the late fall and winter. Sub-freezing temperatures cause expansion of water inside pipes allowing for the pipes to break and leak. Simple freeze protection pipe insulation is readily available, inexpensive and easy to install. 
   
   As an extra step don’t forget to empty garden hoses and drain unused winterized irrigation systems (turn off the water supply valve and turn on all irrigation zones)

4. Check and change out your smoke detector batteries twice a year.
   In a perfect world, you should check detectors monthly and replace all detector units after 10 years. However, we all get busy. An easy way to remember is to align it with each daylight savings time change.

And just a reminder, you can also have your home inspected by an expert annually to get a list of items that might need to be addressed to keep your home in good condition. Or if you need a recommended vendor to help with any work, we have an extensive list. We’d be happy to put you in touch with trusted professionals in the local San Luis Obispo County area that can help. Reach out!