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Maintenance Calendar
For Home and Yard
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It’s
no secret that a maintenance routine keeps
a house in working order
and can prevent expensive
repair work. During our experience with
thousands of home inspections, we have seen
many situations where poor maintenance has
had a very detrimental and deteriorating effect
on a home - thus, decreasing its value. The
suggestions on the calendar below can help you
maintain your residence as well as prepare a
home for listing.
January
1. Repair
squeaky stairs, floors, and doors.
2. Check for leaks and
wear in plumbing
fixtures and water appliances (aerators, garbage
disposal, dishwasher, clothes washer,
water-treatment system).
3. Clean refrigerator
coils, range hood filter and
vent, and clothes-dryer vent.
4. Patch
wallboard and woodwork as
needed.
February
1. Check
for signs of moisture condensation on
the windows. Condensation forms
when the relative humidity is
high and there is a significant temperature
differential.
2. Inspect the
underside of roof for frost or
condensation staining in the attic, especially in colder
regions of the country.
3. Check
the sump pump, if possible. Clean
out any debris.
4. Inspect
for water damage and install waterproof
underlayerment if you need
to install tile in wet areas.
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March
1. Update
or establish a home-maintenance
file. 2. Inspect storm
doors and window screens
and make repairs as needed. 3. Inspect
basement walls for seepage or
staining.
4. Tune up and clean
the blades of portable
fans.
5. Maintain indoor air
filter or cleaner.
April
1. Inspect
roof flashings for leaks and check the condition of roofing
materials.
2. Clean, stain, and
seal wooden decks as
needed.
3. Turn on outside
spigot after last hard
freeze.
4. Wash windows and
wash and replace storm
windows with screens.
5. Clean out fireplace
or wood stove and
stovepipe.
May
1. Install,
clean, and/or service central or window
air conditioners and attic fan.
2. Clean out attic
before hot weather
arrives.
3. Repair damage to
porches and decks, such as
loose nails and warped wood.
4. Clean interior
walls, woodwork, and
floors.
continued
on Page 2
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Alban is proud to offer FREE Continuing
Education Courses in Real Estate Offices!Call Melissa For
Information and to Schedule at 301-404-8104 or 301-607-8114. | |
From the desk of . . .
Arthur S. Lazerow
Prepayment for Environmental
Testing
We are
frequently asked to perform environmental testing
in homes that we did not perform the home inspection.
This provides extra income for our inspectors
while facilitating the Realtor’s transaction. Mold,
radon, lead-based paint, well water and septic testing are an
integral part of our business and are often necessary
prior to settlement.
Too frequently, however, we do not receive payment. Sellers
move out of town, settlement companies never receive
the bill and many other excuses have resulted in significant
financial loss. Accordingly, we must henceforth
ask for payment at the time of the inspection for
all environmental testing. When scheduling a test, the
client can provide a credit card number or arrange to
deliver a check to the inspector at the inspection. In any
event, results of environmental testing will not be delivered
to the client or to the client’s Realtor until full
payment is made.
Communicate with Your Inspector Last
December’s snowstorm demonstrated that the ability to reach your
home inspector to rearrange schedules
or postpone inspections during foul weather, health
emergencies, or changes in plans is critically important.
Save the following telephone numbers:
George Ash
Cell: 410-382-4717
Marty Blackwood
Cell: 240-463-1400
Home: 301-570-0839
Lee Eyler
Cell: 301-674-2199
Home: 301-271-2760
Arthur Lazerow
Cell: 301-807-9022
Home: 301-469-8149
Robert Montiel
Cell: 301-385-7379
Home: 301-871-7426
Rudy Rudacil
Cell: 301-219-5579
Home: 301-593-4186
Quintin Satterfield
Cell: 301-807-2122
Home: 301-962-0916
Rodney Shull
Cell: 540-270-0520
Home: 540-364-6117
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