AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION

The planning and ingenuity behind your new sandiegorealtyadvisoris home means it was constructed to last for decades. Nevertheless, it’s essential to perform routine maintenance regularly in order to keep your home functioning at peak performance. Taking regular action will help dissuade future problems and increase the operating life span and efficiency of your home’s assorted components, fixtures and appliances.

To determine just when specific maintenance tasks should be performed, check your Homeowner Warranty and Care Manual or click here for a simple PDF checklist.

MAINTENANCE REQUIRED BY THE HOMEOWNER

Once You Move-in

Bathrooms

• A silicone-based ceramic tile grout sealer will need to be applied.

Fire Extinguisher

• Buy a fire extinguisher for each floor of the home. They should be general-purpose fire extinguishers. An additional small extinguisher should be purchased for the kitchen for grease fires. Show all family members how to use them and where they are located in case of emergency.

Fireplace

• Buy tool set as needed.

First Aid Kit

• First aid materials and book on procedures should be kept in an accessible location.

Flooring

• Protect you hardwood and ceramic tile floor by placing furnisher protectors underneath all legs.

Household Tools

• Have a basic tool box on hand that includes: flashlight, screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, toilet plunger, tape measure, claw hammer, hand saw, caulk/caulking gun, putty knife, paint roller/brushes, power drill & bits, assorted nails, screws, nuts & bolts, utility knife and sandpaper.

Landscaping

• Please follow and year-round maintenance care instructions provided by your contractor.

Plumbing

• Find and mark the main water line shut off valve. Find and mark all sewer clean out locations. Show family members how to shut of the water in case of emergency.

Water Erosion

• Check the foundation for any erosion after the first heavy rainstorm. Fill any eroded areas immediately and continue to check for new erosion on a regular basis. Slopes should be checked as well.

Monthly Maintenance Checklist

Cabinets and Decorative Hardwood

• Gently clean all wood and then apply a wood protection product approved for your cabinet type.

Heating and Air Conditioning
Vacuum all air return registers and vents to remove lint and dust. Check air filters and replace as needed.

Cabinets

• Tighten and adjust and drawers or hinges that may have loosened.

Fire Extinguishers

• Check all fire extinguishers to make sure they are charged.

Garage Disposal

• Add freshness to your disposal by adding some baking soda and grinding citrus fruit rinds. Sharpen the blades by grinding some ice cubes.

GFCI Breakers

• Please follow the manufacture’s instructions for testing GFCI breakers every month.

Interior Caulking

• Check and repair any separations or cracks for the following: bathtubs, showers, around sinks, countertops and backsplashes, faucets, toilets, ceramic walls, ceramic or resilient floors, window sills and any other areas originally caulked by sandiegorealtyadvisoris.

Exterior Caulking

• Look for cracks and separations around doors, windows, siding and ventilation outlets. Apply caulking as needed.

Faucet Aerators

• Check for proper flow and clean the screens as needed if flow is reduced. For the first two months aerators may need to be cleaned more frequently.

Drainage Around Perimeter

• Check for proper drainage of rainwater and irrigation from the building and yard. If water is pooling near the building or in your yard, please reset drainage to its original settings.

Inspect Perimeter

• Check for any evidence of termites, if they are found please contact a pest control services immediately.

Plumbing

• Check around water heater, kitchen and bathroom fixtures or any leaks and tighten fittings carefully.

Ran Hood Fan

• Replace filter and clean.

Smoke Detectors

• Test and replace batteries as needed. Batteries should be replaced annually.
  Vacuum/clean openings.

Checklist Seasonally (every 3 months)

Heating and Air Conditioning

• Check and replace air filters as needed.

Interior Doors

• Use a silicone-based lubricant on hinges as needed.

Garage Doors

• Inspect door mechanisms and lubricate hardware as needed. Call for maintenance if spring coil needs to be fixed.

Windows

• Check window screens and repair/replace as needed.
• Inspect weather-stripping around windows and repair/replace as needed.
• Inspect windowsills for separations or cracks and re-caulk as needed.
  • Clean/lubricate window tracks as needed with a non-oil-based lubricant. Windows should open and close smoothly.

Checklist Bi-annually (every 6 months)

Doors

• Check screws and door hardware and tighten as needed. Clean all sliding door tracks. Apply non-oil-based lubricant or silicone spray to tracks as needed.
• Apply a non-oil-based lubricant to garage door moving parts.

Electric

• Inspect all appliance and extension cords for frays or splits and replace as needed.

Exterior Finishes

• Inspect for separations, crack and void of exterior caulking and repair as needed. Please follow the instructions in you Homeowners manual under Caulking.

Front Doors

• Stained front doors should be resealed. Repaint if needed. Please check your association regulations prior to changing the color.

Plumbing

• Inspect all water supply lines, valves, sinks and toilets for leaks and tighten/repair as needed.
• Clean faucet aerators, drains and spray nozzles
• Inspect drains and pipes for leaks.

Windows

• Check window screens and repair/replace as needed.
• Inspect weather-stripping around windows and repair/replace as needed.
• Inspect the windowsills for separations or cracks and re-caulk as needed.
• Clean/lubricate window tracks as needed with a non-oil-based lubricant. Windows should open and close smoothly.

Checklist Annually

Attic

• Inspect attic for blockage of soffits. If insulation is blocking the soffit, please move it back to its original location.

Garage Doors

• Apply lubricant to the screw drive mechanism using white garage door screw-drive grease as directed by the manufacturer.

Doors

• Inspect and repair/replace any weather-stripping on the exterior doors as needed.
• Inspect and tighten all door hardware. Lubricated as needed with a non-oil-based lubricant.
• Check bolts on garage doors and tighten as needed.

Spring Checklist

Air Conditioning System

• Have an HVAC professional perform a maintenance checkup and replace filters for the summer.
• Check all vents to make sure they are not blocked by rugs, draperies and furniture.

Roofing

• Visually inspect roof from the ground for loose or missing shingles or roof tiles.
• Contact roofing contractor should repairs be required.
• Inspect roof penetrations such as air vents for proper mastic, caulking and seals.

Fall Checklist

Fireplace

• Have you chimney cleaned and checked professionally as necessary.

Heating System

• Have HVAC professional perform a maintenance checkup and replace filters for the winter.