“To Do” List schedule to maintain your new home & warranty!

Home ownership comes with some responsibilities that might be new to you if you’ve been renting in the past as they are things that were likely addressed by your management company or landlord. Topping the list is regular home maintenance: now you’re in charge! Since new construction homes come with warranties that cover all aspects of the home it might be easy to think that this extends to maintenance but that’s not the case… in order to keep up your end of the warranty (so that the larger ticket items will be covered by the warranty should something happen) you need to perform regular maintenance to keep your home protected and functioning at its best. 

Your builder will likely provide with a list of recommended home maintenance tasks and responsibilities spelled out in the warranty.  Your new home warranty organizes your tasks by area of the home. Let’s get ahead of the game by taking a look at what tasks you need to perform in order to maintain your warranty. We’ll start at the outside (and top) and work our way in.

 

Recommended Homeowner Maintenance for Roof & Gutters

 

1. Inspect the roof.  Start by walking around your home & visually inspecting your roof.  Make sure the shingles all look intact, noting if any appear to be curling loose or have slipped. Get a professional to repair any damage or clear any debris which collects on the field of the roof.
    
2. Take a look at the underside of your roof too. If your home has an attic or accessible crawlspace, inspect the roof’s underside for any leaks or signs of water intrusion.
    
3. Clear out the gutters & downspouts.  Not all new construction homes have gutters, they are often considered to be an “upgrade.”  Their purpose is to channel water away from your home and to help prevent water intrusion. Keeping them clear of debris in a semi-annual task that you need to take care of. Don’t forget to check to ensure that your downspouts are draining and free of debris too. Check to be sure puddles of water are not collecting around the downspout opening. This could run back into your foundation, causing issues.
    
4. Ensure that trees & shrubs are clear of the roofline.  In order to prevent debris from collecting on your roof, keep your landscaping well-trimmed. Prune it regularly so it doesn’t overhang your roof and it’s especially important to make sure that branches and trees are not on electrical line (approach those with caution!).

 

Necessary Exterior Maintenance for Homeowners

 

1. Check your foundation.  Inspect the foundation of your home for cracks, separations or voids that should not be present. If you find any, check your homeowner's warranty to determine how to proceed. Some defects are covered, and there are specific definitions of these you need to be aware of.
    
2. Inspect the crawl space. If you have a house on a raised foundation inspect to be sure your insulation is in place and there is no water intrusion and your crawl space is free of mold and mildew. Refer to your homeowner's warranty for specific details.
    
3. Is your exterior siding intact? Whether your home has painted clapboards, brick veneer, HardiPlank, or vinyl siding, it’s important to check to be sure it’s intact with no gaps, cracks, or splits that may let in rain or runoff.

 

HVAC Tasks for Homeowners to Maintain Warranty

 

1. Swap HVAC filters monthly or every 3 months. Think of the HVAC filters in your home like your body’s lungs. Your system can't breathe well when the filters are missing or clogged up with dust and particulate debris. If you choose a high-quality filter, you may not need to change it every month. When choosing a filter, don't opt for the least expensive spun fiberglass ones. Instead choose filters that have higher MERV (Minimum efficiency reporting value) ratings and remove out more of the dust, allergens, and pollen.
    
2. Check the drain pan.  In South Carolina, we run our air conditioning the majority of the year. Condensation will collect in your drip pan and drains out of the house. Check the drip pan each spring to be sure it is draining properly and that it is not clogged.
    
3. Keep the area surrounding your HVAC system clean. Be sure to remove dirt, debris and leaves from around the outdoor portion of the system. Keeping leaves and debris from around the unit will help improve performance.
    
4. Plan for annual HVAC maintenance and cleaning: Have a professional HVAC technician inspect your system, clean the coils, and inspect the wiring. It’s best to do this each spring and each fall. The tech will test components of the system making sure they are functioning properly.
    

 

Interior Maintenance “To Do’s” for Homeowners

 

1. Ensure that you have properly functioning smoke & carbon monoxide detectors.  If you have battery powered detectors change the batteries in them to ensure they function as expected.
    
2. Stay on top of hot water heater maintenance. Consult your homeowner's warranty and water heater owner's manual for recommended maintenance tasks. Some may recommend you drain and inspect your tank if you have a tank type heater.
    
3. Inspect your shut-off valves at all plumbing fixtures. Every sink, your washer and all toilets have shutoff valves. Make sure these are not leaking and are operational.
    
4. Clean refrigerator coils. Vacuum off dirt and lint to keep your fridge running efficiently.
    
5. Clean oven vents and range hoods. Prevent greasy build-up by regularly cleaning these important ventilation items.
    
6. Clean your garbage disposal blades. Grind ice in your disposal to efficiently clean off debris.
    
7. Clean your dryer’s vent pipe.  Lint collects in the vent pipe. To prevent a fire hazard and keep your dryer functional, clean the lint out with a special brush tool or hire a professional to do this for you.

   
 

Maintaining a well-cared for home has several key advantages. It will hold its value, protecting your investment and it will ensure that your warranties (for both the homes and appliances and systems withing the home) remain in full effect.

 

###

Thank you for reading and sharing our articles from The Greater Charleston New Homes Guide. Our business is to know Charleston, SC's new home construction, home builders, neighborhoods, and homes so we may assist you as you take your new construction home journey. Please take the time to explore our site. The Greater Charleston New Homes Guide is considered the best and most reliable ‘local’ resource to new home construction, builders, neighborhoods, and homes throughout the Lowcountry since 2004.

6.21

 

---

Categories: Tools