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Often Overlooked Home Maintenance

March 18, 2013

With our busy lives, it's easy to knock home maintenance items to the bottom of the to-do list, but a little time will save you money by avoiding future repairs and by maintaining the energy efficiency of your home. Here are a few maintenance items that you don't want to overlook. Sweep off fresh air intake vents - Along with your fresh air recycler, this vent maintains interior air quality throughout your home. To keep this system running properly, use a brush or a broom to clean off any dust or debris. Lubricate garage door parts with Teflon or Silicone spray or motor oil - Keep your garage door operating properly and opening and closing smoothly by lubricating the hinges, rollers and tracks. Check and touch up cornice, siding and expansion joint caulking - To prevent moisture from getting into the seams and joints of your home, inspect them twice a year for deteriorating caulk. Window caulking - Weather and time will shrink the caulk around your windows. To reduce air infiltration and maintain energy efficiency in your home, routinely check your windows for areas that need to be re-caulked. Flush out your hot water tank - This should be done every six months to get rid of sediment and mineral deposits, which will help your water heater operate more effectively. Have your heat and air system serviced - A professional should service your air-conditioning/heating system in the spring & fall in order to keep it operating at maximum efficiency. Keep your home in tip top shape by taking care of these often-neglected home maintenance items.