This past weekend vandals broke into a vacant house, plugged all the drains and turned the water on.  The house sustained major damage  http://kohd.com/page/62151  See KOHD for the story.  It is a sad reality of the current economy that vandalism is on the rise.  Home Fridays is an excellent deterent along with a good security system in this kind of event.  Not only are we there on a weekly basis to give the home a lived in look.  We also usually act as a first point of contact for our owners when the alarms do sound.  I  have always been a huge fan of preventative measures and this is the times we need them.

I had a plumber tell me that hose bib’s do not need to be insulated earlier this week.  And then last week I had a different plumber tell me that hose bib’s should be insulated.  So who do you believe?  The bib cover costs all fo $6 – the broken hose bib can cost thousands.  I am going to choose to go with the $6 cover and put off the potential cracked or burst in the hose bib.  Last year we took care of a home that had a cracked hose bib which had been leaking inside the walls for years.  Once it was found we spent over a month in repair with the walls torn out, carpets replaced and the works.  Could the bib cover have prevented the problem – who knows.  Insurance wouldn’t cover the problem because it had obviously been going on for a very long time.  But for $6 I am more then willing to spend the dollars on prevention.  In another family I heard about, their hose bib burst and flooded into the house ruining the entire first floor.  So why not $6 for prevention and of course a weekly visit from Home Fridays to make sure everything is in order.

As we go into winter it is always a good idea to have all the systems and structures checked.  All the repairs and maintenance taken care of before the big snow and the severe temperatures.  Below is a list from David Baillargeon of Casced View Home Inspections.      www.cascadeview.net

Spring and Fall Maintenance Punch List

- Clean gutters and downspouts. Ensure that downspouts are secure, and that the discharge of the

Downspouts is appropriate. Remove debris from window and foundation wells.

- Carefully inspect the condition of shower enclosures. Repair or replace deteriorated grout and

Caulk. Ensure that water is not escaping the enclosure during showering. Check below all

Plumbing fixtures for evidence of leakage.

- Repair or replace leaking faucets or shower heads.

- Secure loose toilets, or repair flush mechanisms that become troublesome.

- Examine the roof for evidence of damage to roof coverings, flashings and chimneys.

- Look in the attic (if accessible) to ensure that roof vents are not obstructed. Check for evidence

Of leakage, condensation or vermin activity. Level out insulation if needed.

- Trim back tree branches and shrubs to ensure that they are not in contact with the house.  Watch

Out for power lines, use caution and never touch a downed or secure power line!

- Inspect the exterior walls and foundation for evidence of damage, cracking or movement. Watch

For bird nests or other vermin or insect activity.

- Survey the basement and/or crawl space walls for evidence of moisture seepage.  Call your local home inspector

If you do not feel comfortable with this.  CVHI performs maintenance inspections.

- Look at overhead wires coming to the house. They should be secure and clear of trees or other

Obstructions.

- Ensure that the grade of the land around the house encourages water to flow away from the

Foundation.

- Inspect all driveways, walkways, decks, porches, and landscape components for evidence of

Deterioration, movement or safety hazards.  Fill all cracks in pavement or concrete to avoid water intrusion

And further cracking or deterioration.  Use sand on walkways in the winter and not ice melting products as

These will damage your concrete.

- Clean windows and test their operation. Improve caulking and weather-stripping as necessary.

Watch for evidence of rot in wood window frames. Paint and repair window sills and frames as

Necessary.

-Test all ground fault circuit interrupter.  GFCI’S

- Shut off isolating valves for exterior hose bibs in the fall, if below freezing temperatures are

Anticipated and have the sprinkler systems blown out by a licensed landscape contractor.

- Test the Temperature and Pressure Relief (TPR) Valve on water heaters.  If the drain line leaks after testing a replacement

Valve should be installed by a plumber

- Inspect for evidence of wood boring insect activity. Eliminate any wood/soil contact around the

Perimeter of the home.

-Test the overhead garage door opener, to ensure that the auto-reverse mechanism is responding

Properly. Clean and lubricate hinges, rollers and tracks on overhead doors.

-Replace or clean exhaust hood filters.

-Clean, inspect and/or service all appliances as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

ANNUALLY

-Replace smoke detector batteries and test alarms.

-Have the heating cooling and water heater systems cleaned and serviced, by licensed HVAC contractors

- Have chimneys inspected and cleaned. Ensure that rain caps and vermin screens are secured.

-Examine the electrical panels, wiring and electrical components for evidence of overheating.

Ensure that all components are secure. Flip the breakers on and off to ensure that they are not

Sticky.

- If the house utilizes a well, check and service the pump and holding tank. Have the water quality

Tested. If the property has a septic system, have the tank inspected (and pumped as needed).

- If your home is in an area prone to wood destroying insects (termites, carpenter ants, etc.), have

The home inspected by a licensed specialist. Preventative treatments may be recommended in

Some cases. 

Well it has started, the burglery of vacation homes.  http://www.ktvz.com/global/story.asp?s=9301382   The story tells of a couple living next door to a vacation home, who spent weeks stealing out of the home and storing items in sheds behind their rental house.  A note to vacation home owners – if you aren’t going to be there, be sure to have someone who checks on the house.  Also, an alarm is not a bad idea either.  Just be sure you have a local contact (like Home Fridays, hint hint) to check on the house after the alarm goes off.  You want someone who is close by and can tell if anything is missing.  It is unfortunate that we have to be aware of things like this.  But an ounce of prevention is always a good idea.