Household maintenance tips for all year long

It’s time to ring in 2015.  Most people tend to ignore home maintenance until something catastrophic happens, which puts home owners in a panic and in a tough spot financially to come up with money for major repairs.


Here are a few things homeowners can do on their own:
 
Air filters for your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC): Homeowners should check air filters monthly since outside pollen, dust and dirt collect quickly.  How often you replace your filter is determined by the type of filter and lifestyle factors.  Do you have pets?  Pet dander collects, builds up, and begins to restrict air flow.  Do you or another occupant smoke?  Smoke accumulates on filters and, again, leads to shorter filter life.  Changing your filter will help maintain clean and safe air in your home, as filters play a major factor in indoor air quality and how well your HVAC operates.



Faucets and pipes: In Georgia, homes aren’t built for the extreme cold, so home owners need to take extra care of their pipes during a hard freeze. Experts recommend that homeowners turn off and flush outdoor water faucets as the weather drops. When temperatures start to fall, water trapped in outside faucets and pipe connections can freeze.  This may cause damage to the faucet or cause pipes to burst in the wall.  During a hard freeze, have warmer air circulate around your pipes in the interior of your home by opening cabinets.  Let faucets along exterior walls maintain a slow, steady drip on nights when temperatures are expected to drop below freezing. This eliminates pressure that can build between the faucet and an ice blockage, so even if a pipe freezes, it may not burst.





Safety precautions: Inspect your fire extinguishers and make sure they’re not expired.  Make sure that the extinguisher is in a visible location and easy to access.  Check the tamper seal.  If the seal is broken, someone may have tried to use it and it’s time to replace the extinguisher.  Look at the pull pin.  Is it still inserted in the handle?  If not − time to replace.  Check the pressure.  Is the pressure in the proper operating range? Also, check your carbon monoxide detectors, which should be installed on each floor near bedrooms, and smoke detectors, installed in every room on each level, monthly.  Follow the manufacturers’ instructions for testing your devices.  Finally, test GFCI outlets. After about ten years, the circuitry inside a GFCI outlet wears out, and sometimes the test button on the GFCI doesn’t tell you there is something wrong.  The best way to test an older GFCI is to use a circuit tester (found in home improvement or hardware stores) that has its own GFCI test button.









When to call the professionals:
 
Furnace: You want to make sure your furnace is in good order to get you through the winter months. Include an annual furnace inspection on your winterizing checklist.  Annual exams and tune-ups may prevent expensive repairs or replacement work down the road, lower fuel consumption, maximize efficiency, and lower bills. If your furnace is older than ten years and your warranties have expired, it might be time to upgrade.  Additionally, purchasing a humidifier and programmable thermostat will provide huge benefits to your air quality.  There are two different types of furnace mounted humidifiers in use today: bypass evaporative humidifiers and steam generators. 


 
Air sealing and insulation:   The New Year is a great time to do a full home audit. On average, 40% of your time is spent in your home, and an audit will determine if you have major system inefficiencies that add significantly to your bills.  An audit entails a visual inspection, diagnostic tests, and will provide specific details as to how to make adjustments that will save you money.  Air sealing around attic plates will prevent air from escaping, which affects the climate and comfort in your home.  Insulation will create a quieter environment and will be more cost effective in lowering utilities bills. A pro can install all types of insulation, from blown-in fiberglass and cellulose, to spray foam and batt insulation.  Having a home inspection frequently provides a dramatic change in both bills and in the overall comfort of your home.





Plumbing:  Plumbing problems can be some of the most expensive to repair because water is difficult to contain and can cause extensive damage once something goes wrong. If you do find a leak, call a plumber immediately so water doesn’t destroy ceilings, floors, or entire rooms of your house. Catching a leak early also prevents dangerous mold and rot. Water is a major culprit when it comes to home damage.  Additionally, in 2015, new legislation requires that water heaters have additional parts that make them more energy efficient. The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) will affect the ability to repair outdated units, so it’s a great time for an upgrade. If your water heater needs to be upgraded, consider installing a tankless unit to save on utilities and the cost of future repairs. A tankless heater is much more energy efficient, and it prevents you from running out of hot water.
 


Electrical inspection: Multipoint whole house electrical inspections should be performed by licensed electrician to make sure home wiring is safe and up to code. Most people don’t realize this, but if an outdated, out-of-code electrical system causes a fire, home owners insurance will not cover the damage. Reliable Heating & Air has the expertise and tools to handle major or minor service jobs including troubleshooting, service and panel upgrades, outlet repair, and emergency repairs. Catching problems early will reduce costly repairs in the long run, extend equipment life, and prevent fires.
 


Comprehensive maintenance plans: Be proactive and protect one of your greatest investments - your home - with a comprehensive Maintenance Plan.  Maintenance Agreement Plans are available for all the major mechanical systems in your home.


 


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With Halloween around the corner, here are some things to remember:

Halloween Health and Safety Tips

Autumn holidays like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times for children of all ages, who can dress up in costumes, enjoy parties, enjoy fall fruits and vegetables, and eat yummy treats. These celebrations also provide a chance to give out healthy snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety.
Check out these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.

Going trick-or-treating?

  Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.

  Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

  Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.

  Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

  Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don't run from house to house.

  Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.

  Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.

  Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.

  Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

  Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.

  Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

  Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Don't stop at dark houses. Never accept rides from strangers.

  Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests?

Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone:

• Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters such as low-calorie treats and drinks. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.
• Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.
• Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.
• Keep candle-lit jack o'lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.
• Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely.

Taken from: http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/