What You Should Inspect Once a Month

Here is a guideline as to what you should be checking on each month in your home. Follow the list below and you’ll find yourself saving time and money in future emergency repairs.

1. Searching the attic for leaks during a storm. If there’s a leak in your roof, the best method of discovering this is by checking it during a storm. Rook leaks can lead to the growth of mold if unnoticed, so it’s best to check for this as much as you possibly can.
2. Perform maintenance on your HVAC system. Replace the air filters four times a year, but check them once a month to make sure they’re clean.
3. Test your garage door safety shutoff. This includes the safety beams which stop the door from closing if something or someone is in the pathway.
4. Keep the garage doors lubricated. This will help the doors continue to run smoothly while prolonging it’s “lifespan.”
5. Clean around your HVAC units. It’s easy for debris and dirt to fall into the outside unit. Trim all bushes and/or plants away from the unit so air flow will not be blocked.
6. During the winter, clear all traces of snow. Areas that need to be cleaned are outside vents, meters, and the oil fill pipe. Don’t forget to check your dryer, furnace, and water heater.
7. Polish your refrigerator grille. This detachable grille allows access to the compressor and cooling coils and can easily collect dust as time goes on. This eventually blocks air flow and will result in your cooling system burning out.
8. Check sinks, drains, and garbage disposals for clogs. If spotted in your sink, try to remove any form of visible obstruction (with caution) using a pipe cleaner. Next, pour one cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by hot water. This should help clear the blockage. For garbage disposals, use one half of a cup of baking soda and one cup of white wine vinegar. Pour both down the disposal. Wait a few minutes then pour hot water down. Fill the drain with ice cubes and add one cup of salt (this will remove the debris). Add some lemon halves to the disposal, and then turn the water and disposal on.
9. Inspect your range hood filters. These can easily collect grease. If there’s build-up present, remove them and place in a sink filled with hot water, dishwashing soap, and baking soda; let it soak for 10-15 minutes. Scrub off any remaining grease then rinse clean. Before replacing filters, dry with paper towels.