Spring Home Maintenance Tips Part 2

Posted on April 29, 2011 by tashiap

Spring has sprung.  So as you do your spring cleaning a few things you should check out around your house are as follows:

  • Toilets.  Are your toilets leaking?  If they are you could be wasting money and water.  So a simple check is to put some food coloring into the tank.  Wait a few hours and check the water in the bowl.  If it is colored then your tank is leaking and some parts need to be changed. Also, be sure to check the water line connection for kinks, crimps, and cracks, as well as, tight connections.
  • Washing machine leaks are the number one cause for a homeowners claims.  Check the hoses for cracks and be sure connections are sealed properly.
  • Refrigerator is the next most cause of leaks.  Check the capillary line (the small line from the refrigerator to the water line).  If it is plastic then it can crack and leak.  The line can become kinked or crimped.  Replace lines with they become kinked, crimped, or brittle.  Also, check the connections to be sure they are sealed and not dripping.
  • Tub and shower drains.  Be sure that all the strainers that catches hair/soap chips are clean and clear.  The build up of hair and soap can cause clogging of the drain which could lead to an overflow of water.
  • Water heater.  At least once per year it should be drained and sediment removed.  Check the flame to be sure it is mostly blue with yellow tips and no sooty look.
  • Air conditioner.  Check the condensate hose to be sure it is not blocked with algae.  Be sure the outside condensing unit screen is clear of debris.  Listen for unusual noises.
  • Thermostat.  Buy a room thermometer and compare its temperature to the thermostat to be sure it is accurate.  If the thermostat is off it could be costing you in electric bills.
  • Furnace filter.  Depending on the type of filter it should be replaced or cleaned twice a year to keep it properly filter out the dust and dirt particulars.  Also, clogged filters can cause fires.

Unsure how to do these tasks on your own, call a licensed professional to help like SJ Peterman, Inc. at 949-400-4603 or www.SJPeterman.com.


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Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Home

Posted on March 28, 2011 by tashiap

This is a good time to review your home to be sure your home stays in good repair, decreases your chance of fire, and decreases your need for costly emergency repairs.

The two most important routine maintenance items, as well as simplest, are replace your furnace filter and change the battery in your smoke detector.

Replacing or cleaning your furnace filter is important as dirty filter can lower the efficiency of the heating/cooling system, increase heating costs, and cause fires.

Smoke alarms save lives and by properly selecting, placing, testing, and maintaining your smoke alarm, you will greatly increase your chances of surviving a home fire. Most smoke alarms contain a 9 volt battery.  For the smoke alarm to work the battery must be have a charge on it. When the time changes is a good time to change the battery so you are sure it is working. Also, clean the cover to remove the dust so nothing gets in the way of the smoke detector doing it’s job.

Check back for more maintenance tips for maintaining your home or call a professional like SJ Peterman for assistance.


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