At this point, we are well into fall. But this is the perfect time of year to give your home a once-over and make sure you don’t need any major repairs before winter. Use this home maintenance checklist twice a year to keep any home repair problem from getting out of hand, and then call a Houston professional handyman to take care of it. Remember: the longer you let a problem go, the more expensive it is likely to be when you finally get around to fixing it. Don’t ever let it get to that point! And why should you, when you have a T&Z handyman available 24/7 to get these things done? Here are some things to take a look at:
Attic: Keep gable vents open to ensure proper ventilation. Any signs of water or damp are an indication that the roof is leaking, so give us a call to come and inspect the roof and attic for damage.
Gutters: Make sure the gutters are clear of any leaves or debris so that water is able to drain properly, quickly, and away from the house.
Fireplace: Have your fireplace of ashes and checked for loose chimney mortar. This should be done by an experienced professional, like your local T&Z Houston handyman. Make sure they check the chimney for old or deteriorating flue liner and for nests or other obstructions.
HVAC Filters: Have your handyman replace these once a month or as needed. Even if your HVAC system is fairly new, it still needs to be maintained and regularly checked by a professional. Be sure to have them cleaned out after any renovation or remodeling done inside the house, as this will create more dust floating around in the air.
Bath & Faucets: Check for leaky faucets in both kitchens and bathrooms. Check the caulking around sinks, tubs, and showers, and have your T&Z handyman recaulk any deteriorated areas. Be sure to replace the carbon cartridge in your water filter.
Windows & Doors: Have all locks and caulking checked and touched up as needed, have a professional repairman replace weather seals.
Garage: Make sure your automatic garage doors are in proper working order. Test them and have them adjusted to be able to reverse in case of any emergencies.
Electrical: Check the electrical panel for rust or water marks, which is evidence of water seeping in and causing damage. Likewise, an electrical panel that is giving off heat or is warm to the touch should be handled by a professional electrician. T&Z All Services in Houston has handymen with the certifications necessary to fix these problems safely and efficiently.
Heating: Have your heating system checked and serviced yearly by a professional handyman (Fall is the best time for this, as you will start using it as winter weather sets in).
Water Heater: Have the tank drained and removed of any debris that has settled on the bottom. Ensure that there are no leaks and that there is no rust forming.
Fire Safety Equipment: Safety first, always! Now is a good time to test and/or replace all your fire extinguishers, and test and replace the batteries in all your smoke detectors. Replace any smoke detectors that are over 10 years old.
Emergency Supplies/Disaster Preparedness: You never know what could happen, and that’s why we have plans in place for when something unexpected hits. Use this official disaster preparedness checklist as a guide for creating your plan, which includes a supply checklist. Then be sure to check your emergency items at regular intervals each year to restock or replace anything you need to.
And there you have it! Check these items off your list, then call a professional Houston handyman any time: day, night, weekend, work week, whatever, 365 days a year to get your home in tip-top shape for the season!