Archive for the ‘Maintenance Plan/Comfort Club’ Category

Daily Light Savings Reminder

Friday, March 9th, 2012

Don’t forget to “Spring Ahead” this Sunday March, 11th. At 2am we will all set our clocks ahead one hour. Daylight Savings is also a great time to d0 some routine checks around your home.

  • Replace batteries in your smoke alarms and other battery powered devices, and check them for proper functionality.
  • Check your medicine cabinet for outdated prescriptions.
  • Clean out your refrigerator and freezer.

As the winter ends and spring weather starts we also advise a thorough inspection of your Air Conditioning system. When is comes to maintaining a well functioning AC system, there is nothing more important than making sure that you keep to a regular maintenance schedule for your air conditioning system. This will include both simple tasks that you can perform yourself and a more in-depth annual cleaning and inspection that will be carried out by an air conditioning professional.

Keeping up with this kind of maintenance is helpful in many ways. It keeps your air conditioning system functioning at the highest possible efficiency level, and it also reduces the chances that you’ll need emergency repairs in the future. And since both of these benefits save you money in the long run, it’s well worth the small investment to have someone come out to take a look at your system once a year.

These professional maintenance visits typically include a thorough inspection to check for leaks, wear and defects throughout the system. In addition, a full coil cleaning is generally included. On your own, however, you can also do things like clean out the vents once a month and make sure you change the filters on a regular basis.

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Spring Drainage Reminders

Monday, May 9th, 2011

The good news is that it’s spring time, and the dreary cold of winter is behind you. The bad news is that there’s water everywhere—a lot of it. Between the melting snow and the spring showers, the water on the ground can accumulate quickly, which can lead to problems for your home and family if it is not drained properly. Below are some reminders that can help avoid a disastrous basement flood.

Start High

Your roof is a good place to start. You should check your roof in the spring anyway, so here’s your chance to take care of two birds with one stone. Start by checking for loose or damaged shingles that may cause leaks. Repair all leaks immediately, no matter how small they seem at first. Once you have taken care of the shingles, inspect the eaves for deterioration. This can be the first sign of leakage or gutter damage.

Start by cleaning out all the gutters. They’ve had all autumn and winter to accumulate leaves and ice, so a good cleaning is vital. While you’re up there clearing out the gutters, check them for any damage—bent or broken pieces, popped rivets, etc. Make any necessary repairs. Once you are done with the roof gutters, inspect the downspouts. Make sure they are clean and free of clogs, and that you have splash blocks in place at each one to keep water draining away from the foundation.

Check the Ground

Next, take a walk around the yard, keeping an eye out for any depressed spots which may cause water to pool or drain back toward the house. Fill these spots in and seed them. As an added benefit, this will help keep mosquitoes under control. When you are putting out your sprinklers, make sure they are aimed such that they do not spray the house. The water can pool around the foundation and leak into the basement.

Repair any holes or ruts in your driveway, especially if it is gravel. This will keep water running down and off the driveway, rather than pooling or flowing back toward the house.

This may all seem like a lot. Basically there are three simple principles to keep in mind in order to keep your house safe from flooding and water damage. Repair leaks promptly, keep drainage routes clean, and water should always stay away from the foundation.

When in doubt, just keep those principles in mind, and you’ll go a long way toward keeping the basement dry.

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