^The Inspector Speaks

Maintenance, safety and more

Upon moving in
Know where to locate the main shutoffs for gas and water and the location of the electrical system's circuit breaker panel. These utilities may need to be disconnected during emergencies.

Another, less serious emergency is that of being locked out of the house through losing or forgetting a key. To avoid forcing or breaking a window or door to obtain entry, place an extra key in a water-tight plastic or celluloid envelope and bury it someplace in the yard where you can readily locate it.

Storage and cleaning safety tips
At least one fire extinguisher should be kept in every home. Rubbish and trash accumulations which collect in out-of-the-way places are prime ammunition for fire. Animal or vegetable oil on any combustible material may ignite spontaneously under certain atmospheric conditions. Wastepaper and trash should be stored in metal cans and disposed of regularly to avoid accumulation in basement, attic, garage or other storage places. Stack newspapers and magazines neatly in bags or boxes away from the furnace.

Oil mops and clothes are safe from spontaneous combustion if thy are hung where they will get plenty of ventilation. Otherwise, metal containers should be used to store mops, dust rags, painting equipment and other oily materials.

Store matches in non-flammable containers out of children’s' reach.

Have a specified place to keep children’s' bicycles, wagons, skates, skis and other play equipment.

Do not overload all cabinets or shelves with heavy canned goods, books or other heavy items.

Gasoline is extremely dangerous for cleaning. Use of it in home cleaning invites fire and explosion. Shaking mops or dust cloths from windows will soil the outside of your home.

Grease spots on cement floors may be removed with special powders prepared for this purpose. Never put sawdust under a car to absorb grease - sand is safer.

Maintenance Suggestions
The following maintenance suggestions are arranged alphabetically for your convenience:

Air Conditioning
Since an air conditioning system is usually with the heating system, the maintenance suggested for your furnace should be followed. In addition, the manufacturer's owner's manual specifies maintenance for the ~condenser" unit. This should be reviewed and followed.

Set thermostat at desired temperature and leave it there. Keep windows and doors closed tightly. Turn off lights when not in use. Close drapes over windows the sun shines in. Be sure the air intake of the outdoor air conditioning unit is free and clear so air can flow in and out of the cabinet without restriction. Clean away leaves, grass, paper or anything that might impede the flow of air through the grille.

As you change from heating to cooling, it may be necessary to adjust the balance of air distributed throughout your home. This can be done by adjusting dampers on registers.

Appliances
See the applicable owner's manuals. For service on appliances, contact the respective manufacturer's customer service offices.

Brick
After several years, face brick may require "tuck-pointing." Otherwise, no regular maintenance is required.

Cabinets
Most cabinets may be cleaned with most liquid cleansers. Do not use abrasive cleansers. Most modern furniture agents may be used on wood cabinets. Should hinges, catches or drawer glides become sluggish with use, a small amount of lubricant will improve their action.

Caulking
Time or weather will tend to shrink caulking or dry it out so that it no longer provides a good seal against moisture. Therefore, as a matter of routine maintenance of your home, it is wise to check the caulking and make repairs where necessary. Caulking compounds and dispenser guns are available at hardware stores.

Ceramic Tile
To prevent water spotting on ceramic tile walls, wipe them down after each bathe or shower. If water spots do occur, a mild cleanser will remove them to bring back the surface sheen of ceramic tile. Grout that becomes yellowed or stained can be cleaned with a fiber brush, cleanser and water. With the passage of time, some grout may shrink and fall out or be worn away by cleaning. Regrouting or caulking is simply done; grout containers give complete instructions for doing the job.

Concrete
Salt and other de-icing chemicals used on concrete can caused its surface to flake off. Therefore, these chemicals should be avoided. Flaking does not affect the structural value of the material, but it does mar its appearance. Cracks that widen in concrete as time goes by can be patched using elastic patching materials available at hardware and paint stores.

Condensation
A dehumidifier in your basement will help a great deal in preventing condensation on the walls and pipes. Condensation on the toilet tank should be controlled by attaching a tray available at hardware stores, or by fitting it with a tank cover sold in all bath supplies outlets. This is important, since condensed water dripping from the tank to the floor may loosen or discolor the floor tile beneath it.

Countertops
Many countertops are make of high pressure, laminated plastic and are not harmed by boiling water, alcohol, fruit acids, most drugs and household chemicals. They are resistant to moderate heat but DO NOT set cooking utensils from your oven or range directly on the countertop (since the utensiles is hotter than it will withstand); use a pad under hot utensils or appliances. Do not use the countertops as an ironing board, and keep cigarettes in their ashtrays.

This tough material resists scratches and hard knocks and won't crack or craze under normal usage. But do confine sharp knife blades to a chopping board; repeated slicing in a concentrated area can mar the surface.

Indelible inks may stain a desk top or counter. This type of ink is used on food packages, so be careful when unpacking groceries on a damp countertop.

To clean, simply wash with mild soap - do not use abrasive cleaners - and water; rinse and dry. Also avoid harsh scrubbing with scouring powders. Waxing is not necessary, but may be used to make counters gleam.

Doors - Exterior
During the summer months there is usually very little trouble with doors, but winter heating may change the moisture content of the wood, causing temporary warping. Exterior doors will dry out faster on the inside due to heat inside the house, having a tendency to pull the door inward. This situation may reverse itself when the summer sun hits the outside of the door. Spring rain may also cause the door to swell and in turn stick; however, this should dry out in the summer heat.

To insure longer life for your exterior doors, it is recommended that you refinish them annually.

Doors - Interior
Interior doors, including bifolds, often stick or warp due to various weather conditions. We suggest that you apply wax to the tracks of a bifold door to prevent their sticking. Use graphite on door locks, not oil which gums up.

Slamming doors may damage both doors and jambs, and may cause cracking in walls. Teach children not to hang on the doorknob and swing back and forth. If you don't, hardware will work loose and the door will soon sag.

A sticking door may be fixed in one of these ways: if the sticking is minor, first apply either a paste wax, light coat of paraffin or candle wax to the sticking surface. Another method is to tighten screws which hold door jamb or door frame. Should it continue to bind, use a plane to remove part of the sticking edge - but plane off only a very little at a time.

To fix a squeaking door hinge, remove the hinge pin and rub it with a lead pencil or lubricate it with a graphite tube. Oil is less preferable for such lubrication because it accumulates dust and grease around the hinge.

Since small children often lock themselves in the bathroom or other rooms and cannot unlock the door, it is good practice to keep a duplicate key for any privacy locks in another room. Some types of locks can be opened with a small screwdriver or a knife blade.

Doors - Patio
The same care given to aluminum windows should be applied. Be sure that there are no foreign objects in the track which might impede the proper operation. Adjustments are provided for patio doors; roller will deteriorate if these tracks are not kept clean and clear. Paraffin is a good lubricant for these tracks.

Sliding glass doors lock from the inside only (these doors generally do not have a key.) Acquaint yourself with the operation of the door hardware for maximum security.

Under certain lighting conditions, door glass may be hard to see. If you keep the screen fully closed when glass doors are opened everyone will become accustomed to opening something before going through.

Drywall
Most dry wall repairs can be easily made by the homeowner. This work is best done when the room is to be redecorated. To correct a nail pop, reset the nail with a hammer and punch alia cover it with "spackle" available at paint and hardw~are stores. Apply two or three thin coats, then sand the surface with fine sandpaper before painting. Indentations caused by sharp objects can be filled with spackle in the same fashion.

Electrical
Do not call an electrician until you are sure that all circuit breakers are on. If you think a floor or wall plug doesn't work, make sure it is not connected to a wall switch before you call the electrician. More than 70,000 home fires are caused each year by abused or misused electrical equipment. Don't let an amateur handyman alter the wiring in your home. Call an electrician.

Circuit breakers are the safety valves of your home's electrical system. Check the location of the multibreaker panel as soon as you move into your home. When the circuit breakers trip, they may be reset by turning the handle to the off position until you feel the contactor reset, then move handle to the on position. Before resetting breaker, unplug all appliances or electrical equipment on the circuit which is off, then reset breaker. If trouble continues after breaker is reset, call your electrician.

When electric outlets fail to work, it is usually a sign that a circuit breaker has been tripped. The cause may be from (1) overloading the circuit by plugging in too many appliances; (2) a short circuit resulting from a worn cord or defective plug connection; (3) voltage too high for the appliance used; (4) the starting of an electric motor. (Motors require more current to start than to run.)

In case of complete power failure in the home, call the power company. If there are small children in the home, cover baseboard outlets with adhesive tape as a safety measure. Teach your children never to touch electric sockets or fixtures. Never handle wires or attempt to plug in appliances when your hands are wet or if standing on a wet floor.

Your electrical system should be a three-wire grounded system. Never remove the bare wire which connects to the box or device.

In areas where underground utilities are available, before digging deep holes or moving large amounts of soil, check the location of your buried service leads. In most cases service wires run in a straight line from the service panel on the house to the nearest public utility pad. Care should be taken to keep soil around house foundation near service panel from settling. Avoid large amounts of water near this point.

Fluorescent fixtures use transformer action to operate them; this action sometimes causes buzzing. If buzzing is excessive, chances are the voltage is low. Low voltage is usually caused by more and more load put on utility lines. In new areas this condition is frequently found. If flourescents buzz excessively, call the power company for a voltage check on their lines in your area. When notified of this condition, the service company may raise the voltage.

Low voltage is also usually the cause of lights dimming when the dishwasher, furnace or garbage disposal starts.

Do not tamper with or add to your electrical system; call a licensed electrician and rest assured your system is safe.

Fireplaces
If your house has a fireplace, holding a lighted sheet of newspaper in it will assure that smoke is being drawn off properly and will warm the air in the flue, creating a better draft to start the fire. Never start a fire in the fireplace until you are sure the damper is open. Always keep the damper closed when the fireplace is not in use. This keeps room heat from escaping through the chimney. It is not advisable to build a fire directly on fireplace bricks. Use andirons or a grate. Your fireplace should have a snug, well-fitted screen. The fire should be extinguished each night before retiring. Never use kerosene to start a fire.

Water Heater
Drain a few quarts of water out of the bottom of your heater tank each month to prevent discoloration and to keep sediment from accumulating in the tank bottom. Hot water heaters normally collect small quantities of dirty water and scale in the main gas lines, which may put out the pilot lights.

Never light a gas pilot or turn on electrically when heater tank is empty. And always turn off gas or electric power before shutting off cold water supply.

The area in and around a gas-fired water heater should periodically be vacuumed to prevent dust from interfering with proper flame combustion. The top of a gas-fired water heater should never be used as a storage shelf.

Set the thermostat at the recommended setting; higher settings waste energy. Recommended thermostat settings for normal everyday use are: Normal - on gas models; 140 degrees - on electric models.

Cold water clothes washing techniques and short duration showers can save considerable energy.

Painting - Interior
Generally, latex paints are used throughout the interior of a home. The kitchen and bath walls, ceilings and woodwork may be enamel and can easily be washed with soap and warm water without harmful effect. All painted woodwork will last longer if it is kept waxed. The other walls throughout the house are generally flat coat. When these are washed the following method should be used:

1. Make a very rich suds of mild soap in tepid water.
2. Gather only suds on a slightly damp sponge and lightly apply suds to painted surface ( do not rub).
3. Let suds stand on painted surface for about one minute or until you think the moisture has had time to penetrate the dirt.
4. Remove suds with a clean sponge that has been wrung very dry.

Do not allow children to hang on plumbing fixtures or bath accessories such as shower rod or lavatory. Do not add plumbing to your house without consulting the building code for your district.

Be sure to drain all water lines and fixtures if you leave the house unheated during late fall, winter or early spring. GARDEN HOSES MUST BE DETACHED FROM OUTSIDE SILLCOCKS, IN ORDER TO PREVENT FROZEN PIPES DURING FREEZING WEATHER.

Condensation inside a hot water heater will in many cases cause a small drip onto the burner flame. These causes no harm and in most cases will disappear in a short period of time.

When operating the kitchen garbage disposal, turn on the cold water for 30 seconds before switching on the unit. Keep a strong flow of cold water running while the unit is on and continue to let it run for about 30 seconds after you switch off the unit. Do not use hot water to flush grease through the unit.

Keep utensils, rings, etc., and especially children’s'' hands safely away from the disposal.

Gold fixtures and antique brass on lavatories should not be cleaned with an abrasive. Use only mild soap and water.

Plumbing Fixtures - Bathtubs and Basins
Porcelain enamel can be damaged by a sharp blow from a heavy object. It can also be scratched. Therefore, do not stand in the bathtub wearing shoes unless you have placed a protective layer of newspaper over the bottom of the tub. Use only liquid cleansers for cleaning purposed, since abrasive cleansers may gradually dull the high sheen on the surface. If paint is splattered onto the porcelain enamel surfaces during redecorating, it should be wiped up immediately. If some spots are dry before being noticed, use a recommended solvent.

Spa and Bath Tops
Man-made marble possesses a natural resilience and will not chip as readily as will porcelain enamel. But equal care should be given to them. Do not, under any circumstance, use an abrasive cleanser or razor blade on man-make marble, because they will cause certain damage to the plastic surface.

Spa Caution - Do not fill with only hot water - may damage marble. Do not run pump without water - may damage pump.

Plumbing Fixtures - Faucets
Sink and basin faucets are equipped with aerators which mix air with the stream of water and prevent splashing. They should be removed and cleaned periodically to remove the accumulation of minerals deposited from your water supply. Normally, cleaning every three to four months is sufficient.

Faucets on the laundry tub are equipped to accept a hose connection and therefore do not have aerators.

Outside faucets are called " sillcocks." It is important that hoses not be left connected to sillcocks in cold weather, as this may cause damage due to freezing. Do not apply unusual force in turning off our faucets, because these may damage them. In time, normal wear on the washer will necessitate washer replacement.

Plumbing Fixtures - Sinks
Stains from various foodstuffs can be removed from stainless steel by using a kitchen cleanser or steel wool soap pad.

Do not pour cooking fats and greases down the drain of your kitchen sink, since these may cause blockage. Fats and greases should be put in containers and disposed of with other garbage. Sinks usually have shutoff valves to permit the water to be turned off independently of the rest of the house for repairs to faucets.

Plumbing Fixtures - Toilets
Do not stand on the toilet seat cover. Your weight may crack it. The toilet bowl cleaner. Nonabrasive liquid cleaners may be used to clean the exterior of the fixture. Avoid exposing the toilet to blows from sharp or heavy objects, since it may be chipped or broken. Also, avoid abnormal pressures against the sides of the tank. It is possible to crack the tank at the points where it is attached to the bowl.

Do not flush diapers, sanitary napkins or other foreign materials down the toilet, since these may cause sewer blockage and require the services of a plumber.

Floor Coverings - Carpet
Vacuuming should be done on a daily basis in heavy traffic areas and at least weekly in other areas. This serves two purposes. It removes loose soil and helps keep the pile erect.

Spills and spots should be cleaned immediately before stains can become set and make cleaning more difficult.

Carpeting should be professionally cleaned at least annually, depending upon the size of your family and the amount of soil tracked in.

Floor - Concrete
A concrete sealer available at paint stores will help you keep an unpainted concrete floor clean. Do not use soap on unpainted concrete. Plain water or hot water and washing soda or, if necessary, a scouring powder should be used.

Floor Coverings - Resilient
Resilient floors include sheet vinyl, linoleum, vinyl asbestos and tile. Many new homes have been equipped with resilient floors in the kitchen and bathrooms, chosen for their convenient maintenance factors and their resistance to wear. We would like to make you aware of some f the inconveniences that may occur with these floors.

The following are four problems which occasionally are experienced:

1. Raised Nail Heads - These are caused by movements of the floor joist because of shrinkage and deflection. We suggest that you attempt to redrive these nails with a block of wood and a hammer.
2. Seam Lifting - This is caused during installation or by water seeping into mastic through the seam. It usually occurs in the bathroom near the tub. A special caulking may be used at tub and floor joints. Precautionary measures should be taken to avoid getting water on the floor from baths and showers.
3. Ridging of Underlayment - Ridging which may occur is unpreventable because of the use of 4' x 8' pieces of underlayment.
4. Separation of Floor Tiles - This problem most frequently occurs near heat registers or at the outside of a room. The heat from the register softens the mastic and causes the tile to move when stepped on. Also, expansion and contraction of underlayment and tiles themselves causes separation. It should be pointed out that any replaced tiles may not be a good match when installed, but should blend in after exposure.

In most new homes, the corners of asphalt tile so not lie flat and adhere to the floor because the floor was cold when the tile was installed. This will usually correct itself as the house is warmed and the floors are walked on.

"The less washing, the better." Take that as your general rule for the care of linoleum and vinyl and it will give much better service than if washed too frequently. Instead of scrubbing frequently, wipe up spilled things immediately, before they can become sticky. Do not give a brand new floor a complete washing until it has been in service at least a few days, and then give it a complete coat of wax.

However, two or three times a year, or when exceptional soiling has occurred, it is desirable to give your floor a thorough washing. To prevent heavy furniture or furniture with pointed feet from denting your floor, use furniture rests on all pieces. Avoid ball-type rests that are not wide and perfectly flat on the bottom.

Don't use excessive amounts of water or wax until the tile is thoroughly sealed and until the adhesive gas set. Don't clean floor tile with gasoline benzene, naphtha, turpentine or organic solvents. Organic solvents will soften the material and cause discoloration. Don't apply wax over a dirty floor. BE Su}Re TO USE THE PROPER WAX FOR TYPE OF FLOOR.

Caution: Do not use linoleum varnish on asphalt tile.

Floor Coverings - Wood
The first rule for proper maintenance of wood floors is: USE SOAP AND WATER SPARINGLY. This is highly important, because excessive soap and water will injure both the finish and the wood and sometimes cause the floor to buckle.

When water is spilled on a wood floor it should be wiped up and dried immediately or it will leave an unsightly white spot which is almost impossible to remove without refinishing.

Dry Cleaning with one of the new waterless, wax-base cleaners is the modern way to clean and preserve the natural beauty of your floors. Waxing is an essential step in keeping a floor clean and beautiful. Oak flooring of all grades will separate slightly after a period of time, even though sealed at the time it was laid.

Grading
As you develop your landscaping ideas, do not change the grade of your yard. Changes in grade may cause water problems affecting your home or those of your neighbors.

Gutters and Downspouts
Caution should be taken not to lean ladders against gutters. If you want to go onto your roof for some reason, use a tall stepladder that will permit you to step up onto the roof.

Gutters and downspouts are ordinarily painted to match your home. They should be repainted at the time you repaint your home.

If a joint between sections of gutter drips water, caulk the inside joint using a commercial gutter caulking compound available at hardware stores.

Heating
Most heating systems have been engineered to maintain a house temperature of 70 degrees Farenheight when the outside temperature is negative 10 degrees Farenheight. Set your thermostat at a level that is comfortable for you. The thermometer on your thermostat is there only for comparative purposes and does not necessarily register the exact temperature in the house.

A new home should not be overheated. Overheating will cause excessive shrinkage in framing lumber and may materially damage the home. To begin with use as little heat as possible and increase it gradually.

In designing the capacity of any furnace, it has been assumed that the home will be completely furnished, including rugs and draperies, which serve as excellent insulation. Consequently, if you are moving into a home during the colder months and have not acquired all of your furnishings, your home may be cooler than you desire.

The motor and bearings in a blower type furnace should be oiled as recommended by the manufacturer and the filters changed according to manufacturer's instructions. Filters should be replaced monthly during the heating season to save on fuel bills and on decorating. Replacements are inexpensive and are available at hardware stores. Pulley belts should also be periodically checked for proper tension and signs of wear. See the manufacturer's instruction for specific details. If you wish to shut the entire system off for filter change, etc., there is usually a master switch located near the unit.

Heater outlets (registers) and baseboard heaters function best when unobstructed. It is important that furniture, rugs and draperies be kept clear of outlets and the furnace's cold air intake.

Your furnace may be equipped with safety controls in case of failure. If an emergency arises and you cannot reach your regular service company, call the utility company.

Porches
Some porches and balconies have a waterproof membrane which can be damaged and cause leaks by using a snow shovel for clearing. It is recommended to use a broom and sweep snow.

Roofing
It is good practice to clean and repair your gutters and downspouts each spring. Leaves and dirt can cause stoppage which keeps downspouts from their functions and may flood the roof.

Care should be exercised when anyone is walking on the roof so as not to damage it.

The shingles of composition roofs may lie unevenly or stand up in the wind for the first few months after they are applied. This does not cause leaks or damage and will generally cease after the first summer season.

In case of damage due to wind, hail, etc., check wit your insurance agent for repairs.

Settlement
Settlement will not disturb your utility lines; however, you may see a slight depression develop in the front lawn along the line of the trench. To correct this, roll back the sod and spread top soil underneath to level the area, then relay the sod.

Windows
These can be maintained in proper operating condition by the use of soap and water on the tracks when washing the glass. Most sliding windows, horizontal or vertical, are designed for a ten pound pull. If sticking occurs or excessive pressure to open and close is necessary, silicone lubricant in spray cans is available in most hardware stores. Do not use a petroleum base material.

There are one or more weepholes for water to seep out incorporated in the design of the exterior ledge. Make certain these holes are left open and clear at all times. If plugged, water will accrue on the ledge and cause leaking.

For broken glass, remove inner frame if possible and take it to the hardware store for a replacement.


Home Maintenance Calendar

Spring

• Check conditions of putty and caulking. Replace or paint as necessary.

Summer

• Have heating system cleaned and examined.
• Do needed interior redecorating.

Fall

• Remove hoses from sillcocks and store. Assure good shut off seal on sillcocks to prevent freezing.
• Have cooling system, if you have one, checked and cleaned.
• Install new filters in furnace or clean if permanent type.

Winter

• Keep fireplace damper closed when not in use to prevent heat loss.
• Change furnace filters in November, January and March, at minimum.
• CAUTION: Snow and ice will build on walks occasionally and will present hazardous walking conditions.

Hometool kit

As a homeowner you will find that you have various maintenance chores to perform. The alphabetical section of this book will identify some of those responsibilities.

The following is a listing for what might be called a "starter tool kit": (1) Claw hammer; (2) Hand pliers; (3) Small, medium, large, regular and Phillips head screwdrivers; (4) Medium-sized crescent wrench; (5) Putty knife; (6) Assorted nails, brads and screws; assorted faucet washers; (7) Caulking gun and compound; (8) A sturdy penknife.

By following the suggestion outlined in these brochure and by performing routine maintenance, such as painting, etc., on a regular basis, your home will maintain its value and be a source of pride to you and to your neighborhood.

Feel free to contact us if special situation arise or if you need additional information which we will endeavor to provide.