• Check the grading and drainage around the foundation
• Seal driveway and walkway cracks
• Check fencing and gates
• Check and trim trees near the house
• Check for deteriorating/damaged siding
• Check for loose, damaged, or missing roofing and flashings
• Clean all gutters and leaders
• Check weather-stripping and seals on all windows and doors
• Insulate water lines that are subject to freezing
• Check condition of the water heater
• Check ventilation openings for blockage

While this list is not comprehensive, it’s a good start to identifying some potential trouble spots in any home. Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at www.housemaster.com.

This information is provided for general guidance purposes only. Neither DBR Franchising, LLC nor the local HouseMaster® franchise warrants its accuracy and assumes no liability related to its use. Contact the local franchise office and/or qualified specialists for advice pertinent to your specific house or circumstances. © Copyright 2008 DBR. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of DBR Franchising, LLC.

All homes require constant care. General estimates indicate that every home will require between 1 percent and 3 percent of the home’s value in annual maintenance costs in order to keep it in good condition, and this figure does not necessarily include major or emergency repairs. But since you already own your home – let’s talk about how to create some best practices when it comes to maintaining your home.

The ongoing maintenance of a home is a significant contributor to holding or increasing its value. All homeowners should plan a solid preventive maintenance schedule, so potential problems can be fixed before they become more costly and damaging. Quite often when we inspect homes, many of the defects we find would have been preventable with some routine monitoring and smaller repairs. But left unchecked, minor concerns grow into more significant problems.

There are many other benefits for homeowners when they incorporate preventive maintenance into their annual planning. Preventive maintenance:

• Avoid expensive emergency repairs: Contractor fees rise in proportion to the urgency and the hour of the service call.
• Saves money and aggravation: Repairs planned for completion during off-peak times are less expensive and less stressful.
• Minimizes homeowner insurance premiums: Correcting deficiencies before they lead to catastrophic failure and a possible insurance claim will keep premiums reasonable.
• Eliminates costly consequential damage: When major home components, like a roof, fail, the damage to home interiors and furnishings can be substantial.
• Homes in good condition sell at higher prices than neglected counterparts.

While you perform your maintenance inspection, think home safety. The International Code Council (ICC) has declared May as Building Safety Month in an effort to emphasize the value of code compliance and to promote safer buildings. The ICC is responsible for development of the International Residential Code (IRC), which has been adopted by many municipalities and other code jurisdictions. The primary focus of the IRC, as well as other codes such as the National Building Code of Canada, or the National Fire Protection Association’s widely used National Electric Code, is life safety. Review the other newsletter articles for some tips to help address potential safety hazards in your own home and reduce the risk of injury or property damage:

Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at www.housemaster.com.