Spring is the perfect reminder to give our homes a deep clean. There are ‘out of the way’ places and things that need regular maintenance if they are to work properly and efficiently. When your home isn’t properly cleaned, dirt buildup can cause damage which reduces the longevity of your home and appliances.
Clean your Deck: Over the winter, leaves and dirt may collect on wooden decks and stairs. When this happens, moisture gets trapped under the debris and can cause wood to rot. Clean off any leaves or dirt and check that boards are sound and that there are no nail pops. Screw down any loose boards.
Refresh your Refrigerator: Eliminate breakdowns and get your fridge running more efficiently with these handy tips. Vacuum your coils every six months or so. Dirt and grime collect on the condenser coils which prevents them from effectively dispersing heat. Keeping them clean will improve the efficiency of your fridge. The coils are either located at the back of the fridge or you can unsnap the grill at the bottom to access the coils. Use a vacuum to remove dirt buildup.
Wipe down the door gasket to prevent mold and mildew forming and to ensure a proper seal.
If you have a frost-free fridge, ensure proper air circulation by cleaning out vents in the freezer. There are vents at the top and bottom of the freezer compartment.
Chimney Cleaning: Buildup in the chimney can lead to creosote fires so clean your chimney every year. Get a professional in annually to inspect and clean your chimney.
Dryer Vents: You know to clean the lint trap in your dryer, but you also need to vacuum the dryer cabinet. Vacuum any lint there and check the exhaust vent for buildup.
Air Conditioner: Check everything is in good working order before the warm weather comes. Turn off power to the outside condenser. Inside the condenser coil is a fan which sucks in air and brings leaves and dirt with it. When it gets dirty, your AC is less efficient as airflow is blocked. Remove the cover and clean any debris and dirt. If your model has lubrication ports, apply 5 drop of electric motor oil. Not all models require lubrication so check your owner’s manual.
Water Heater: Draining the sediment from your water heater helps to save money. That’s because it improves the efficiency of your water heater and helps it to last longer. Turn off power to your hot water heater and open a hot tap to release pressure. Place a bucket under the discharge pipe of your water heater. Open the tap and let the sediment that has collected at the bottom of the tank drain out. When the water runs clear, close the tap. Turn off your hot tap and restore power to the appliance.
Faucet Aerators and Shower Heads: Mineral buildup is usually the culprit when your taps aren’t running properly. Unscrew the shower heads and the aerators. To do aerators, put your plug in so you won’t lose any small pieces down the drain. Wrap your pliers with electrical tape so you don’t scratch the faucet and gently unscrew aerators. Use an old toothbrush to clean your aerator and shower heads. Soaking them in vinegar will help to remove any mineral buildup. Rinse well and screw back in place.
Furnace Maintenance: Change your filters and give your furnace some DIY maintenance to ensure it is ready for next fall.
Window Weep Holes: Check to see if your windows have weep holes on the bottom of the exterior frame. Bugs and dirt can clog up these holes which are designed to drain water from the bottom channel. Use a wire hanger or compressed air to remove any debris. Spray your window with a garden hose to check if the weep holes are working properly.