“Look for signs of damage or problems the need to be addressed,” says David Ostrom, co-owner of Collier Ostrom, Inc. in San Francisco. “If you have a relative or friend in the construction trade, ask them to help. But even if it’s just you, the inspection will be worth it. You want to catch problems early, before they become severe and costly.” To ensure your home remains safe, comfortable, reliable and valuable, consider the following tips for performing an annual inspection:
Seal any decks or woodwork around the home. All outdoor wood structures (decks, stairs, railings) should be inspected, treated and sealed once a year to extend their lifespan. It’s important to remove any mildew or moss and treat the wood for water stains, mildew and fungus before it’s resealed for the next rainy season.
Power wash external walls. This will help remove excess dirt, dust and debris that can dull the appearance of your house and eventually affect its paint and exterior materials.
Check your property once a month for any indication of termite damage. Even if there are no obvious signs of infestation, it’s best to schedule an annual inspection by a termite professional.
Schedule a professional air conditioning inspection. The best time to schedule air conditioning maintenance is in the spring, so you won’t have any problems when the weather warms up in the summer.
Schedule a professional furnace inspection. Similar to the air conditioning inspection, the best time of year for this task is in late summer or early fall, so you’ll be ready for the cold months ahead.
Schedule a professional roof inspection. The person you hire should look for leaks, loose shingles and broken tiles. Before the inspection, consider clearing the roof of any broken tree limbs or other debris.
• Seal cracks in the stucco and replace any siding that shows signs of wear and tear.
• Reseal flooring and countertops.
• Check your fire extinguishers and replace as necessary.
• Clean your dryer vent and hose off any lint that presents a potential fire hazard.
Annual maintenance record-keeping
By keeping an electronic maintenance schedule and calendar, you’ll have a more efficient way to track what you’ve done to your house and what you need to do in the near future. Once you consolidate the report, you can program it to send you reminder emails and deliver important information to your insurance agent, realtor, tenant or anyone else who needs to see your maintenance records.
