Maintenance Tips For Homeowners & Sellers

Most home buyers are smart enough to see past the "little things". But when a lot of little things show up during an inspection it leaves the buyer with more serious doubts about the big things. Here are some of the common "little things" I find during inspections. These are maintenance items that any homeowner should be looking after.

  1. Bathtub Caulk. Like many other things, bathtub caulk doesn't last forever. Once it's damaged the wallboard and framing will begin to deteriorate. Deferred maintenance here can cause much bigger problems later on. Don't just add more caulk over the top, instead remove the old caulk. If it's in really bad shape it may just peal out. If not then use a box knife. But be careful around the tiles. Any loose tiles should be removed and re-set.
  2. Electrical Wiring. Many homeowners think they know how to work with electrical wiring. Most don't. The most common places to find poor wiring are in the basement, garage and attic. Problems like exposed splices or extension cords mounted on walls should be corrected by an electrician. Missing or broken cover plates on switches, outlets and junction boxes can be easily replaced by the homeowner for around a dollar.
  3. Clogged Gutters. I've said it before and I'll say it again - Keep your gutters clean! Leaking and overflowing gutters are one of the biggest causes of rotted trim at the edge of the roof. Gutters may need to be cleaned several times per year, depending on landscaping.
  4. Loose Railings and Handrails. Once these work loose the holes in the wood wear out around screws. If the screws can't be tightened they may need to be replaced with a larger size. This is one item that should not be postponed. Falling is the most common cause of injury in the home.
  5. Loose Toilets. Most folks just sit down and use it, without wondering if it's fastened securely to the floor. But a loose toilet can break the seal to the plumbing lines and cause leaks. If the toilet is only a little loose then simply tightening it down may avoid bigger problems. It's time to call a professional plumber if you see any sign of leakage or if the flooring is damaged enough that the toilet can't be fastened securely.
  6. Dirty Air Filters. The air filter is the first line of defense in maintaining your furnace. A dirty air filter will block the air flowing through the furnace and make the furnace run hotter, causing it to wear out sooner. A dirty air filter will also increase your heating bills. A missing filter will play havoc with an air conditioning system. A new filter only costs a few bucks. If you're selling your house and really want to impress a buyer then have the furnace professionally serviced and leave the receipt out for the buyer to see. Most furnaces should be professionally serviced every 1 to 2 years. This is especially important for older furnaces.
  7. Smoke Alarms. There are not enough smoke alarms in many older houses. Alarms now cost only about $10 each - get several. Follow directions on the package for where to put them.
  8. Paint. Paint protects your house from weathering. If the paint is in bad shape the siding and trim is usually not far behind. I often find this on homes that are 10-15 years old that haven't been re-painted since they were first built. When re-painting, pay particular attention to the top edge of the trim since these areas stay wet after storms and take the most beating from weather.
  9. Burned Out Light Bulbs. Come on, how hard is it to change a light bulb?

Christmas Trees

Get in the habit of checking your tree at a regular time each day. On December 14 last year a Highlands Ranch home had over $100,000 of fire damage. Fire officials believe the blaze started from a Christmas tree without enough water. (Rocky Mountain News, 12/16/00)

Cut 1/2" off the bottom of the tree before setting it in the stand to expose fresh wood. This will help the tree take up water and stay fresh. It may seem obvious, but don't set up the tree near a fireplace!

Holiday Lights

Check holiday lights before use. Discard any damaged lights. Replace bulbs that aren't working, and don't leave any light sockets open. Don't put too many lights on one circuit, and don't hide an extension cord under carpeting. Be sure to turn your holiday lights off before going to bed.