General Maintenance Checklist

This checklist covers some basic, necessary maintenance items for most homes. It is by no means all-inclusive. Some items may not be applicable for the type of home and home features you have. For full details, please consult all guides, warranties, and literature provided by Design Tech Homes, as well as the specific warranties and manuals for your home's various appliances. Monthly (on or around the first day of the month) Test and clean/dust smoke and carbon monoxide detectors Test GFCI/GFI receptacle/breaker and outlets Replace/clean heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) air return filters Ch…

Window Maintenance

Caulking to Prevent Water Leaks Often water leaks at a window result from a breakdown in the connection between the frame of the window and the frame of the house. To prevent leaks, the window should be caulked where its frame meets the exterior siding. If the window is surrounded by wood trim, all gaps between the trim and the siding (and the trim and the window frame) should be sealed with a high-grade polyurethane caulk. Take special care to seal the top side of the top piece of trim. Puddling water at this location causes many window leaks. Stopping Air Leaks A window that leaks air can also mean exce…

Home Design for All Ages

With an entire generation of Baby Boomers about to retire, homebuilders are adding touches to their home designs to suit an aging population. Even healthy Boomers will welcome thoughtful modifications if they choose to care for their aging parents at home or have frequent visits from grandchildren. Here are a few simple things you may want to consider to help create a safe and comfortable home for everyone. Planning for the Future In the planning stage, you should make sure hallways and door openings are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. Along those hallways, tap-activated glow lights provide bette…

How You Can Save Water

In a country where limitless clean water is available at the turn of a tap, it's hard to believe that many parts of the world are at the losing end of a life and death struggle over water. Every year, drought and water-related diseases kill 5 million people around the globe. Blessedly, that's not the case in the United States or in our communities. Water conservation saves you money and makes an important contribution to a better future. Here's how to get started: Stop leaks. Check appliances and outdoor systems such as sprinklers for leaks. Get to know your water meter; it provides important information…

Identifying Common Insect Problems

Although they may be climbing on your plants, some insects can be beneficials hunting for their prey. Eliminate the beneficials and you'll inherit their jobs. If you can't identify the bug — bring it in to a local nursery for identification. Here are some typical insects found in and around the yard and garden and how to attempt to eliminate them: Aphids: Tiny, white, green or brown soft-bodied insects grouped in masses along stems and leaves, primarily on new plant growth. Leaves become stunted, discolored and curled. Aphids suck plant juices and excrete a honeydew that attracts ants and forms the…

A Beautiful Yard for the Holidays

December's in-the-yard tasks are devoted to decorating the house, shrubs and trees with holiday lights and decorations. Before decorating your trees and shrubs with lights, take a moment to evaluate your yard so that it looks its best both in daytime and at night. Rake the leaves and pine needles off the lawn, and shred them with your lawnmower. Put the shreddings under your shrubs, as they make great (and free!) mulch. These shreddings not only conserve soil moisture, they also protect the roots of the shrubs from your footsteps as you string your holiday lights on them. Next, take a moment to spray both…

Keep Your Home Safe From Pests

Sometimes the pests you see may seem worse than the ones you don't. Whether you're pestered by disgusting cockroaches, annoying ants, spiders lurking in every corner or most any kind of troublesome pest, there are several things a homeowner can do which can help prevent pest infestations. To help keep your home safe from pests, take these precautions: Seal cracks in your home's exterior to keep pests like ants, spiders and cockroaches from getting inside. Be sure all doors and windows are properly sealed with tight-fitting screens and weather stripping. Don't leave uncovered food sitting out. It will attr…

Air Conditioning Maintenance

An air conditioner requires regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases. Filters The most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Clogged, dirty filters block normal air flow and reduce a system's efficiency significantly. Most people recommend changing your air filter once a month during the hottest time of the year and every other…

Keeping a Home Inventory

No one expects to lose furniture or other belongings in a fire, a burglary or a storm, but if disaster strikes your home, would you be able to report exactly what you lost? Remembering every single detail about your possessions is a gargantuan task. By keeping an up-to-date home inventory, you can get through the clean up and paperwork stage of a disaster quickly and accurately. According to the Insurance Information Institute, a home inventory can: Determine the value of your belongings and your personal insurance needs Identify exactly what was lost since most people cannot recall items accumulated grad…