Home Maintenance Control Journal

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Copyright 2006 All rights reserved; FlyLady and Company Inc.

2 Dear Friends, O r homes are o r greatest asset. !hey shelter s "rom the stress o" o r every day #o$s and protect s "rom the storms o" li"e. %e have ta&en o r homes "or granted, &no'ing that they 'ill al'ays $e here "or s. In order "or o r homes to protect s, 'e have to $e their eyes, ears and hands. O r homes cannot maintain themselves; it is p to s to protect them "rom the 'ear and tear o" the 'eather, time and o r "amilies. For years the only time 'e 'o ld ta&e care o" o r homes 'as 'hen 'e 'ere cleaning. !hat cleaning didn(t happen ntil the mess 'as so $ad that 'e co ld not stand it any longer. %hen 'e 'ere in o r crisis cleaning mode, 'e co ldn(t ta&e the time to do the little things to &eep o r homes "rom "alling into disrepair. !he same is tr e "or the general repairs o" o r home. !he only time 'e even thin& a$o t "i)ing anything is 'hen the rain is po ring thro gh o r ceilings. *y grandmother sed to tell s a$o t a stitch in time saves nine and a penny saved is a penny earned. A little maintenance done each 'ee& 'ill save more than a penny and add val e to yo r greatest asset. In the past, the only time 'e 'o ld ever spend any money or time on o r home 'as 'hen it 'as time to move and 'e needed to sell o r home in order to $ y another one. At this point, it 'as evident that the 'or& 'e 'o ld p t into o r home co ld ma&e a signi"icant di""erence in ho' m ch money 'e co ld receive "or o r investment. %o ldn(t it $e nice to $e a$le to p t yo r home on the mar&et 'itho t having to spend m ch time getting it ready to sell+ !his ,ome *aintenance Control -o rnal is going to ta&e the mystery o t o" 'hat to do, 'hen to do it, and ho' to maintain yo r home. For some people home maintenance comes nat rally; # st as it does "or people 'ho &no' ho' to clean ho se 'itho t giving it any tho ght. !hese people don(t nderstand 'hy 'e can(t # st do it. For s, it is not that 'e can(t do it; 'e # st need an instr ction man al to 'al& s thro gh the process one $a$ystep at a time. *any o" these things are not hard, $ t in o r per"ectionism 'e thin& they 'ill ta&e longer and $e more di""ic lt than they act ally are. %e may also need to learn 'hat 'e can do and 'hat 'e have to delegate or hire done. %hen it comes do'n to a stitch in time 'ith o r homes, it can $e as simple as a t rn o" a scre'driver or a drop o" oil. !he secret is to not ignore it 'hen yo see something that needs doing; # st se the .Do it no'/ 0rinciple to get it done and not sidetrac& yo . O r n m$er one tool is o r ro tines. %hen 'e incl de home maintenance into

o r daily, 'ee&ly and monthly sched les, 'e 'ill s cceed at "inding the time to ta&e care o" o r homes and then o r homes 'ill ta&e care o" s. 1o 'hat are yo 'aiting "or+ 2o r home is not going to maintain itsel" all $y its lonesome; it needs yo to $less it. !his ,ome *aintenance Control -o rnal is going to help remind yo 'hat to do and 'hen to do it. It is yo r instr ction man al to $less yo r home. Are yo ready to FL2 'ith this ,ome *aintenance Control -o rnal as yo r g ide to $lessing yo r home+ FlyLady

3 Pretend to be a Realtor In everything 'e do, 'e need to "ind a 'ay to have " n. %e are going to do the same thing 'ith o r ,ome *aintenance Control -o rnal. In the past, the only time 'e 'o ld ever thin& a$o t spr cing p o r homes 'as 'hen company 'as coming or 'e needed to move. Let(s se this scenario to help s get started $lessing o r home 'ith the tender loving care that it $lesses s 'ith. 4o' p t on yo r pretend 5ealtor6 hat and get o t yo r clip$oard and pencil. %e are going to ta&e a 'al& thro gh and aro nd yo r home. Don(t get over'helmed $y this; it is not going to ta&e long. - st pretend that yo have another appointment in a "e' min tes and get started. %e are going to ta&e it room $y room and then 'e are going to 'al& o tside. Let(s 'or& cloc&'ise aro nd yo r home starting at the "ront door. A"ter 'e have $een thro gh every room in yo r home, 'e 'ill 'al& aro nd the o tside o" yo r home and do'n the drive'ay. Loo& at 'hat can $e cleaned. %hat needs to $e "i)ed or painted+ %hat needs to $e replaced+ %hat needs to $e decl ttered+ !hese 7 estions 'ill help yo to prioriti8e yo r "inal list. A"ter yo have ta&en yo r initial loo& at yo r home thro gh a 5ealtor6(s eyes, yo can then start to do some o" the things that this list is telling yo needs to $e done. 2o r home did not get in this shape overnight and it is not going to get spr ced p in a day. !a&e 9a$y1teps and yo 'ill "ind this process as re'arding as the tender loving care is to yo r home(s val e. - st getting this in"ormation do'n on paper is a great start. 2o can se this list as a chec& list to implement some o" the repairs that yo see need to $e done. 2o can(t do everything at once. !his is 'hy 'e pic& the easily doa$le things "irst; li&e decl tter and clean. 2o 'ill $e s rprised at ho' m ch $etter an area can loo& 'hen the cl tter is no longer there. :ach month p ll o t yo r original list and see 'hat has gotten done and 'hat items are le"t "or $lessing yo r home. 2o 'ill $e elated at ho' yo r list 'ill d'indle each month 'hen yo "oc s on 9a$y1teps.

Pretend to be a Realtor Walk ;;;;;;;;;;;; (#ame of area)

(u$e one $!eet per area% make a$ many copie$ a$ you need)

!roug! "!eet
#eed to !ire profe$$ional (e$)#o

W!at need$ repairing& replacing or painting'

*********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** ***********************************

******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* *******

W!at +u$t need$ to be cleaned or decluttered'

!i$ i$ +u$t an o,erall triage li$t% do not allo- t!i$ to o,er-!elm you. We are !a,ing fun and it -ill e,entually get done -it! /aby"tep$.

Pretend to be a Realtor Walk ;;;;;;;;;;;; (#ame of area)

(u$e one $!eet per area) make a$ many copie$ a$ you need

!roug! "!eet
#eed to !ire profe$$ional (e$)#o

W!at need$ repairing& replacing& or painting'

*********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** ***********************************

******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* *******

W!at +u$t need$ to be cleaned or decluttered'

!i$ i$ +u$t an o,erall triage li$t% do not allo- t!i$ to o,er-!elm you. We are !a,ing fun and it -ill e,entually get done -it! /aby"tep$.

Pretend to be a Realtor Walk ;;;;;;;;;;;; (#ame of area)

(u$e one $!eet per area% make a$ many copie$ a$ you need)

!roug! "!eet
#eed to !ire profe$$ional (e$)#o

W!at need$ repairing& replacing& or painting'

*********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** ***********************************

******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* *******

W!at +u$t need$ to be cleaned or decluttered'

!i$ i$ +u$t an o,erall triage li$t% do not allo- t!i$ to o,er-!elm you. We are !a,ing fun and it -ill e,entually get done -it! /aby"tep$.

Pretend to be a Realtor Walk ;;;;;;;;;;;; (#ame of area)

(u$e one $!eet per area% make a$ many copie$ a$ you need)

!roug! "!eet
#eed to !ire profe$$ional (e$)#o

W!at need$ repairing& replacing& or painting'

*********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** ***********************************

******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* *******

W!at +u$t need$ to be cleaned or decluttered'

!i$ i$ +u$t an o,erall triage li$t% do not allo- t!i$ to o,er-!elm you. We are !a,ing fun and it -ill e,entually get done -it! /aby"tep$.

Pretend to be a Realtor Walk ;;;;;;;;;;;; (#ame of area)

(u$e one $!eet per area% make a$ many copie$ a$ you need)

!roug! "!eet
#eed to !ire profe$$ional (e$)#o

W!at need$ repairing& replacing& or painting'

*********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** ***********************************

******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* *******

W!at +u$t need$ to be cleaned or decluttered'

!i$ i$ +u$t an o,erall triage li$t% do not allo- t!i$ to o,er-!elm you. We are !a,ing fun and it -ill e,entually get done -it! /aby"tep$.

10

Pretend to be a Realtor Walk ;;;;;;;;;;;; (#ame of area)

(u$e one $!eet per area% make a$ many copie$ a$ you need)

!roug! "!eet
#eed to !ire profe$$ional (e$)#o

W!at need$ repairing& replacing& or painting'

*********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** ***********************************

******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* *******

W!at +u$t need$ to be cleaned or decluttered'

!i$ i$ +u$t an o,erall triage li$t% do not allo- t!i$ to o,er-!elm you. We are !a,ing fun and it -ill e,entually get done -it! /aby"tep$.

11

Pretend to be a Realtor Walk ;;;;;;;;;;;; (#ame of area)

(u$e one $!eet per area% make a$ many copie$ a$ you need)

!roug! "!eet
#eed to !ire profe$$ional (e$)#o

W!at need$ repairing& replacing& or painting'

*********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** ***********************************

******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* *******

W!at +u$t need$ to be cleaned or decluttered'

!i$ i$ +u$t an o,erall triage li$t% do not allo- t!i$ to o,er-!elm you. We are !a,ing fun and it -ill e,entually get done -it! /aby"tep$.

12

Pretend to be a Realtor Walk ;;;;;;;;;;;; (#ame of area)

(u$e one $!eet per area% make a$ many copie$ a$ you need)

!roug! "!eet
#eed to !ire profe$$ional (e$)#o

W!at need$ repairing& replacing& or painting'

*********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** ***********************************

******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* *******

W!at +u$t need$ to be cleaned or decluttered'

!i$ i$ +u$t an o,erall triage li$t% do not allo- t!i$ to o,er-!elm you. We are !a,ing fun and it -ill e,entually get done -it! /aby"tep$.

13

Pretend to be a Realtor Walk ;;;;;;;;;;;; (#ame of area)

(u$e one $!eet per area% make a$ many copie$ a$ you need)

!roug! "!eet
#eed to !ire profe$$ional (e$)#o

W!at need$ repairing& replacing& or painting'

*********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** ***********************************

******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* *******

W!at +u$t need$ to be cleaned or decluttered'

!i$ i$ +u$t an o,erall triage li$t% do not allo- t!i$ to o,er-!elm you. We are !a,ing fun and it -ill e,entually get done -it! /aby"tep$.

14

Pretend to be a Realtor Walk ;;;;;;;;;;;; (#ame of area)

(u$e one $!eet per area% make a$ many copie$ a$ you need)

!roug! "!eet
#eed to !ire profe$$ional (e$)#o

W!at need$ repairing& replacing& or painting'

*********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** *********************************** ***********************************

******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* *******

W!at +u$t need$ to be cleaned or decluttered'

!i$ i$ +u$t an o,erall triage li$t% do not allo- t!i$ to o,er-!elm you. We are !a,ing fun and it -ill e,entually get done -it! /aby"tep$.

<= Ha,ing our ool$ 0cce$$ible %hen 'e are so over'helmed $y the C,AO1 >Can(t ,ave Anyone Over 1yndrome? that it is hard "or s to "ind a scre'driver 'hen 'e need to tighten a simple scre', 'e tend to procrastinate 'hen something needs doing. It is # st too hard to "ind a good scre'driver, pair o" pliers or a hammer 'hen 'e need one. %e "ind o rselves getting sidetrac&ed # st $y loo&ing "or the tool 'e need; then 'e $eat o rselves p over s ch little things. !his is 'hy I 'ant yo to p t together yo r very o'n ,ome *aintenance !ool$o). ,ere is 'hat yo 'ill need "or yo r tool$o). <. A $o) to p t yo r tools in or a dra'er. 2o may have to clean one o t. 2. A @< 0hillips scre'driver A. A @2 0hillips scre'driver 3. A large "lat head scre'driver =. A thinner $laded "lat head scre'driver 6. A pair o" pliers B. A pair o" viseCgrip pliers D. A pair o" needleCnosed pliers E. A small hammer <0. A <0 "oot tape meas re <<. A small level <2. A pencil <A. A $o) c tter or tility &ni"e <3. A small $o) o" assorted nails, scre's <=. A roll o" d ct tape !hese are yo r tools. %hen yo have yo r very o'n tools, yo do not have to $orro' "rom anyone else. !he g ys s ally can tell 'hen 'e have sed one o" their tools. !his 'ill &eep peace in yo r home. Don(t say that home repair is a man(s #o$. 2o $oth live in this ho se and 'hen yo see the need, yo can address it right a'ay instead o" p tting it on a .,oney Do/ List. 2o are going to "eel so good a$o t 'hat yo can do. I" the item is something that yo need more help 'ith then $e s re to as& "or help and don(t nag. 1t i$ $o nice to !a,e your o-n tool$ and be $a,,y enoug! to u$e t!em.

16

aking Care of our Home$

%e get over'helmed so easily $y # st the tho ght o" 'hat needs done to &eep o r homes maintained. !his is $eca se no one has ever $ro&en it do'n "or s into managea$le 9a$y1teps. I am not a pro"essional pl m$er, carpenter, electrician, heating and air conditioning repairman or a painter. %hat I am is a person 'ho ta&es pride in her home and ses a little common sense to see 'hat needs done. !his is not roc&et science and yes even yo can do these things. !he reason 'e have never loo&ed at maintaining o r home is $eca se 'e have $een so over'helmed 'ith # st cleaning that 'e co ldn(t even thin& or didn(t have time to loo& at these other little things that needed to $e done to &eep o r home in good shape. !he only time 'e did address an iss e 'as 'hen the toilet 'as a$o t to "all thro gh the "loor or the $athroom 'as "looding. ,ere 'e go p tting o t "ires again. I am going to teach yo to &eep these things "rom happening $y doing ro tine chec&s. >Did yo catch that+? 5o tines 'ill save the day again. %e have already loo&ed at o r home thro gh the eyes o" a 5ealtor6. 9e"ore 'e have "inished o r ,ome *aintenance Control -o rnal, 'e 'ill $e p tting on many other pro"essional hats. !here is no per"ect place to $egin. Let(s # st # mp in and get started.

<B Putting on a Plumber2$ Hat %e are going to chec& the "a cets inside yo r home "or constant drips and lea&s seeping aro nd the mo ntings. %hen 'e do the o tside s rvey o" o r home 'e 'ill loo& at those "a cets "or no' lets 'or& inside. A steady drip can drive s cra8y as 'ell as ma&e o r 'ater $ills higher than they need to $e. !hese #o$s are not hard, $ t yo 'ill need to read another one o" those instr ction man als or loo& it p online. I" yo are a"raid to tac&le this, then have yo r pl m$er(s phone n m$er handy in yo r Control -o rnal. 2o may 'ant to p t it in yo r ,ome *aintenance Control -o rnal too. %hile yo are chec&ing the sin& "a cets, also chec& the toilets to see i" they are r nning all the time and the sho'er "a cets. 9e s re to loo& nderneath the sin& "or 'ater stains or 'etness. I" yo "ind some, this co ld mean that there is a drain that is lea&ing or a 'ater connection that is not tight or a pin hole in a pipe or the sin& itsel". 5 n some 'ater in the sin& and then "eel the drain pipe, s pply lines and the $ottom o" the sin& to "ind 'here the 'ater is coming "rom. 0 t one o" those n sed "lat plastic t $s nder it to catch this 'ater. A constant lea& li&e this can ca se yo r "loor and s $ "loor to rot as 'ell as the $ottom o" the ca$inet. 1ometimes the pro$lem is very simple to "i) 'ith # st a t'ist o" a connector $y hand. It doesn(t ta&e a lot o" m scle to t rn these connections. Over time they 'ill loosen 'ith s'elling and shrin&ing d e to hot and cold 'ater. Chec&ing these seasonally 'ill avert any potential pro$lems. In "act, each time I open the ca$inet door I # st r n my hand over the drain to chec& "or 'etness. Another good thing a$o t decl ttering in these areas is that yo can see 'hen there is 'ater p ddling p. Another place that can get a lea& is the s pply lines to the toilet. !hey $ecome loose "rom sitting do'n on the toilet and $eing 'iggled 'hen 'e clean. %hen yo are doing yo r .1'ish and 1'ipe/ each morning yo can loo& "or 'ater lea&s and "eel "or drips. One time a"ter 'e remodeled, the hot and cold lines got mi)ed p and 'e 'ere "illing the toilet 'ith hot 'ater. !he tan& 'as s'eating; 'e &ne' something 'as 'rong $eca se 'ater 'as on the "loor. %e had chec&ed the s pply lines, the tan& 'here it attached to the $o'l, and to ma&e s re the toilet 'as sec rely

<D "astened to the "loor. I" this had not $een the pro$lem o r ne)t "i) 'o ld have $een to chec& the 'a) ring that the toilet sits on. !his is another one o" those seals that &eeps 'ater "rom going 'here 'e don(t 'ant it to go. !hey can $ecome damaged 'hen the toilet is p t $ac& in position. It is $est to replace this ring each time yo remove the toilet. I" yo have replaced a "loor then yo may have to get a taller 'a) ring. Another pl m$ing pro$lem 'e can have is 'ith o r disposals. !hey can $ecome clogged 'ith "i$ro s veggies. !his is not " n especially 'hen yo are trying to "i) a holiday dinner "or <0 people. I" yo do not r n eno gh 'ater 'hile the disposal is 'or&ing then yo may "ind yo r drain all $ac&ed p. !he $est remedy is not to p t these things do'n yo r disposal; green $eans, asparag s and potato peelings. I have had to ta&e the drain all the 'ay apart in order to dig this mess o t o" the pipe 'ith a coat hanger. I didn(t have a pl m$er(s sna&e; 'hich is a marvelo s tool to have in emergencies; the cost 'ill pay "or itsel" in one pl m$ers visit on a holiday. Another thing that happens to o r disposals is they get stin&y. !his is $eca se the "ood resid e ca&es p on the sides $eca se 'e are not r nning eno gh 'ater to " lly "l sh the organic resid e do'n the drain. %e are going to need to scrape it o"" and never do that again. Once 'e get it clean, 'e can &eep it that 'ay $y sing the disposal to clean itsel". Fill the sin& 'ith hot soapy 'ater a"ter yo r n the disposal then release the 'ater as the disposal is r nning. One o" o r ,ey !om >'''.,ey!om.net? readers has a toilet $o'l $r sh # st "or her disposal and as part o" her &itchen clean p ro tine she give her disposal a s'ish to remove the resid e $e"ore it dries and hardens. Another pl m$ing pro$lem 'e have is 'ith the ca l& aro nd o r t $s, sho'ers and sin&s. !his ca l& provides a seal to &eep 'ater "rom lea&ing onto the 'ood "loor nderneath o r t $s. I" the ca l& is crac&ed or missing, it 'ill allo' this 'ater to seep into the nreacha$le places and ca se the "loor and s $ "loor to rot. !o &eep this "rom happening, 'e need to vis ally inspect this ca l& 'hen 'e are in the t $ or at least 'hen 'e are in this room 'ith o r 8ones. I" the ca l& needs to $e replaced, it is not hard to p ll o t or dig o t the old and s7 ee8e in the ne' and r $ it in 'ith yo r "inger tip. 2o have to $e genero s in order to "ill p all the crac&s. *issing gro t can also ca se the 'ater to lea& nderneath the t $.

<E 4o' here is a pro$lem that doesn(t happen o"ten $ t it 'ill ta&e an e)perienced pl m$er to "i); yo r sho'er pan 'ill get a lea& in it or yo r t $ 'ill develop a crac&. !he t $ crac& yo can s ally see easily. !he pan lea& is m ch harder to detect. 2o r "irst sign co ld $e a 'ater mar& on the ceiling o" the room $elo' the sho'er. It co ld even $e the ne)t room $eca se the 'ater can "ollo' a "loor #oist or a pipe ntil gravity ca ses it to drip. Other pl m$ing pro$lem signs co ld $e slo' drains. !hese can $e as simple as ta&ing the cover o"" the sho'er drain and removing the hair $ ild p or it co ld $e the main se'er drain "rom the ho se to the street or septic tan&. It may need to $e sna&ed o t i" yo are on a city se'er. I" yo have a septic tan&, 'hen 'as the last time yo had it p mped o t+ %e do o rs every "ive years, $ t 'e only have t'o people in o r ho sehold. %e also give o r septic tan& a dose o" $acteria t'ice a year. !his &eeps the $acteria replenished that $rea& do'n the se'age. %ith yo r septic tan& yo also have "ield drain lines coming o"" o" the tan&. I" the tan& $ecomes "illed over the years 'ith the inorganic sl dge that is not eaten $y the aero$ic activity, this sl dge 'ill $egin to "lo' into yo r "ield lines clogging them and &eeping the 'ater "rom dispersing. Another thing that can happen is these "ield lines can $ecome clogged $y tree roots. !he roots search o t the 'ater and over a period o" years 'ill clog p the drain system. I" yo are e)periencing these pro$lems yo may need a pl m$er to chec& this o t. Do not 'ait thin&ing it is going to get $etter. According to the si8e o" yo r "amily and the si8e o" yo r septic tan&, it may need to $e p mped once a year to prevent damage to septic "ield drain lines. !his ann al maintenance co ld save yo tho sands o" dollars. I" yo have a $asement, then there are a co ple o" things that can go 'rong. I" the $asement is $elo' street level, then the 'aste 'ill have to $e p mped p to the street. !hese are called sl rry p mps and i" the po'er is o"" they may not 'or& ca sing the toilet to over"lo'. Also in the $asement there is s ally a s mp p mp to drain 'ater o t. ,ave yo seen that drain hole in the $asement "loor+ 2o can chec& this to see i" it 'or&s # st $y po ring a $ c&et o" 'ater do'n the hole. %hile yo are in the $asement p ttering aro nd, chec& the 'alls to see i" 'ater is seeping in. !his is not a pl m$ing pro$lem $ t a drainage pro$lem aro nd the

20 "o ndation o" yo r home. 2o may need to install g tters or "ill in holes. !his moist re 'ill help milde' and mold to gro' ca sing yo r home to stin&. I" yo can(t "ind the pro$lem yo may have to get a pro"essional to come o t can loo& at it "or yo . Another potential pl m$ing pro$lem is yo r hot 'ater heater. !his is an appliance 'ith an o'ner(s man al. It is important to read this man al and &no' ho' yo r hot 'ater heater operates. It co ld $e gas or electric. !here is nothing 'orse than 'a&ing p to a morning 'itho t hot 'ater. Feep the area aro nd the hot 'ater heater clear o" cl tter. It 'ill hide any tan& lea&age and co ld ca se a "ire i" the heater is a gas nit. %hen 'e had o r last hot 'ater heater installed, 'e p t a t'oCdollar al min m pan nder it to collect any 'ater in the event o" a lea&. It is al'ays a good idea to loo& on the "loor aro nd yo r 'ater heater "or p ddles. *ine is o t in the open and I have to go past it to do la ndry. I" yo rs is in a closet, yo may need to remind yo rsel" to chec& it occasionally. 2o r o tside "a cets need to $e 'interi8ed. !his can $e as easy as t rning o"" the 'ater to them inside o" the ho se and draining or 'rapping them 'ith ins lation and taping them to &eep them "rom "ree8ing. Do not leave 'ater hoses hoo&ed p to "a cets in the 'inter. 4e)t time yo need to replace this "a cet p t in one that 'ill not "ree8e.

2< Put on an 3lectrician2$ Hat !his is "oreign territory to most o" s nless 'e are changing light $ l$s. In "o rth grade I learned a$o t electrical sa"ety. I 'as ta ght to not pl g in too many appliances in one o tlet. !hey told me a$o t 'orn o t e)tension cords and appliance po'er cords. !his is common sense sa"ety in"ormation. 2o 'ere ta ght this too in elementary school. %rite 2es or 4o in the margin o" this chec& list. <. Do yo have any receptacles that are overloaded+ 2. Are yo r lamps in good 'or&ing order+ A. Do yo have s'itches that spar&s "ly "rom 'hen yo t rn them on+ 3. Do yo have to reset a $rea&er o"ten 'hen it "lips o""+ =. Do yo r lights dim 'hen the air conditioner or 'ater p mp &ic& on+ 6. Do yo have e)tension cords nder r gs+ B. Is yo r $rea&er $o) la$eled+ D. Do yo have s'itch plates that are loose or $ro&en+ E. ,ave yo chec&ed inside yo r dryer and the vent "or $ ilt p lint+ <0. Do yo r n yo r dryer or dish'asher 'hen yo leave the ho se+ <<. Do yo leave the small appliances pl gged in all the time+ <2. Do yo have a "ire e)ting isher "or electrical "ires+ <A. Do yo store things in yo r oven+ <3. Do yo have smo&e alarms and car$on mono)ide detectors+ <=. Are the $atteries changed in yo r detectors 'hen the time changes+ <6. Is yo r cl tter going to $e " el "or the "ire and the ca se o" it+ !he most important p rpose o" &eeping yo r home maintained is to &eep yo and yo r "amily sa"e. I" yo are procrastinating a$o t "i)ing any o" these things or changing yo r $ehavior then yo co ld $e in danger. Do yo have an evac ation plan "or yo r "amily i" there is a "ire in the middle o" the night+ 4o' let(s tal& a$o t all o" those appliance o'ners( man als yo have all over the ho se. It is time to gather them all p and p t them in a "ile, an o""ice in a $ag or ma&e them part o" yo r ,ome *aintenance Control -o rnal. 2o co ld have too many o" them, then yo 'ill need an accordion "ile to &eep them in. :ach time yo get a ne' appliance, read the o'ner(s

22 man al and p t it in the "ile. !his 'ay 'hen yo need it, yo can "ind it. O'ners( man als s ally have tro $le shooting tips and phone n m$ers to help yo 'hen something $rea&s. It is also good to staple the receipt on the inside o" the man al. !his 'ill have yo r date o" p rchase and ho' m ch yo paid "or the appliance. I &no' 'e never loo& at o'ner(s man als. %e # st e)pect to int itively &no' ho' something is s pposed to 'or&. %e even complain 'hen it is not as easy as 'e 'ant it to $e. It can $e easy i" 'e 'ill # st ta&e <= min tes 'hen 'e get a ne' appliance and read the man al. It is not going to h rt s. ,aving &no'ledge is never a $ad thing. It can &eep s "rom ma&ing mista&es. !his goes "or yo r car too. I" I had not read my o'ners man al the other day I 'o ld have r ined the rain sensor on the 'indshield 'ipers i" I had gone thro gh a car 'ash. I didn(t even &no' it had one 'hen the 'ipers came on all $y themselves. %hen yo get something ne', st dy the man al so yo 'ill &no' its limitations and 'hat it can really doG

2A Put on Repairper$on Hat 4rafty Home$ O r homes protect s "rom the cold o" 'inter and the heat o" s mmer. %e can lose heat and also allo' cold air to creep into o r living spaces. !his happens $eca se o r door seals are 'orn o t and the ca l&ing aro nd o r 'indo' "rames has $ecome old and crac&ed. !his allo's that cold air to ma&e o r tility $ills higher. ,o' do yo &no' there is a crac& or a pro$lem 'ith the seals+ !his is very simple. In "act, this is the only time I have ever lit a cigarette. A candle 'ill 'or& too $ t it does not have the smo&e to help yo see the act al air "lo'. All yo have to do is hold it p to the door or 'indo' to see i" the smo&e or "lame moves. I" it does, yo have a crac& in the ca l& or a de"ective door seal. Also chec& yo r receptacles and s'itch plates on yo r 'alls; they can allo' cold air to seep in too. Another place "or air conditioned and heated air to lea& is in the d ct 'or& itsel". I" yo have access to it in a $asement or attic, yo can see the act al d cts and vis ally inspect the #oints to see i" the tape is loose or i" the #oints have come apart. I" this happens yo 'ill $e heating and cooling n sed areas o" yo r home. !his can cost yo lots o" 'asted money 'ith the increased e)pense o" yo r tility $ills. 2o can also call yo r electric company or yo r gas company; they can recommend someone to come o t and give yo an energy s rvey. !hey 'ill also chec& to see i" yo have the proper ins lation "or yo r climate. Over the years, yo r homes ins lation pac&s do'n and does not have the air spaces that provide the ins lating properties. !his is 'ell 'orth the money that it ta&es. !his s rvey 'ill pay "or itsel" d ring a season o" heating and air conditioning $ills.

24

"tructural "ur,ey
Let(s ta&e another 'al& aro nd the o tside o" o r home and loo& "or air lea&s and other potential pro$lems 'ith the str ct re o" yo r home. As Felly li&es to do, it is time to loo& p. Loo& at the roo" o" yo r home. Do yo see any shingles that are li"ted p+ 5ain can $lo' nder these shingles d ring a storm. 4o' loo& at the "lashing. !his is the metal that is aro nd anything that goes thro gh a roo"H a chimney, pl m$ing vent pipes and ventilator "ans. Loo& "or a separation $et'een the top o" the metal and the item it is aro nd. Another cl e that there co ld $e a pro$lem is a circle on yo r ceiling or a 'et place. !he lea& may not $e right 'here the circle is in the ceiling. %hen the 'ater seeps thro gh the roo", it 'ill "ollo' gravity ntil it drops o"". As yo are loo&ing p, ta&e note o" the trees that are aro nd yo r home. Are they leaning to'ard yo r home+ Are there dead lim$s that need to $e c t+ Are any lim$s or $ shes act ally to ching yo r home+ 0r ning these lim$s once a year and $eing a'are o" the potential threat to yo r home d ring a storm 'ill save yo many sleepless nights or a s rprise 'a&e p call 'hen a $ig lim$ comes thro gh yo r roo". 0 t this on a list o" things that need to $e done. 2o can do the little st "" close to the gro nd s ch as the $ shes $ t yo may have to hire rep ta$le tree c tters to get rid o" $ig pro$lems. %hile 'e are still loo&ing p, chec& yo r g tters "or de$ris. I" the g tters are "illed 'ith leaves and t'igs they 'ill not drain the 'ater a'ay "rom yo r "o ndation. Do this every a t mn a"ter the leaves "all. I" yo don(t have trees, then yo 'ill not have this pro$lem. *a&e s re yo r g tters are draining a'ay "rom the ho se. 2o can get simple lin&s o" pipe to help the 'ater disperse a'ay "rom yo r "o ndation. 4e)t let(s loo& at the "o ndation o" yo r home. 1tart $y chec&ing the vents that are aro nd the perimeter. !hese vents allo' the moist re to dry nder yo r home d ring the s mmer time. I" yo have a $asement yo pro$a$ly do not have vents. In the 'inter time these vents need to $e closed so that the cold 'ind does not "ree8e yo r 'ater pipes or ma&e it harder to heat yo r home. !hese vents sho ld close tightly to restrict

25 the air "lo' in the 'inter. A"ter 'inter is over yo 'ill 'ant to open them $ac& p ntil the ne)t "all. %hile yo are 'al&ing aro nd the o tside o" yo r ho se, loo& "or areas 'here yo r critters may have started to dig a hole. !hese holes 'ill allo' rain 'ater to p ddle and r n into yo r cra'l space or yo r $asement. Fill p these holes and p t roc&s there to deter them "rom digging. Chec& yo r o tside dryer vent to ma&e s re it is opening and closing properly 'hen the dryer is r nning. *ice love to se this as their doggy door. Chec& the seal aro nd the vent to ma&e s re it is not crac&ed. Also chec& the area 'here the heating and air conditioning system comes into the ho se. A crac& in the ca l&ing here can allo' critters to come into yo r home too. Don(t as& me ho' I &no'. It is not " n to "ind a $lac& sna&e in yo r ho se. I" yo have a $ric& ho se, loo& "or places $et'een the $ric& "or mortar #oints that have crac&ed or are missing. I" yo r home has siding, chec& to see i" there are $oards or panels that do not seem to $e sec rely "astened. !his can allo' air to penetrate yo r 'alls. !his is # st a simple vis al inspection. I" yo "ind a pro$lem area, it can $e "i)ed. Also chec& aro nd the 'indo's "or crac&s in the ca l&ing. !his co ld $e the reason yo have a dra"ty ho se. Ca l&ing is very simple to se. Ca l& can $e o$tained at any hard'are store. !he directions "or sing the ca l& are on the t $e and yo can "ind them on the internet too. As yo are 'al&ing aro nd the perimeter o" yo r home, &eep yo r eyes open "or ant $eds. I" yo have pro$lems 'ith ants, they have "o nd a path into yo r home. It is p to yo "ind their ant high'ay and stop them. !hey 'ill "ollo' 'ater pipes and crac&s in ca l&ing. One time I 'as having an ant pro$lem in my $athroom. I 'ent o tside to "ind an ant $ed p against the ho se right $y my $athroom. I got rid o" the ant $ed and my pro$lem 'ent a'ay. I 'ent to the hard'are store and got these little spi&es yo stic& in the gro nd. In one 'ee& the ants 'ere gone. Chec& 'ith yo r hard'are store "or 'hat 'or&s on the type o" ants yo have in yo r area. In the a t mn i" yo have lots o" trees and "alling leaves yo 'ill need to &eep the leaves "rom $ ilding p aro nd yo r ho se. !his can $e a $ig "ire

26 danger. 5a&e or $lo' the leaves a'ay "rom yo r home. A little ra&ing no' co ld &eep yo sa"e in the event o" a $r sh "ire. !his 'ill give yo a $ ""er. As yo are 'al&ing aro nd the o tside o" yo r home chec& the "a cets "or lea&s, the electrical o tlets "or crac&ed covers and yo r o tside lighting. Are there any $ l$s that need to $e replaced+ Don(t p t this o"". %e are the 7 een o" procrastinators. 2o "eeling sa"e is importantG I" yo don(t ta&e care o" this, yo r home 'ill not $e a$le to protect yo . Are there any lights that do not 'or&+ 4o' let(s loo& at the s r"ace o" yo r ho seH nder the overhang and the o tside 'alls. Does it need to $e s'ept or 'ashed+ Can yo see any rotten 'ood+ Is the paint peeling or "aded+ %hen 'as the last time yo r ho se 'as painted+ I" yo have siding, does it need 'ashed+ %hen 'as the last time yo 'ashed yo r 'indo's+ I &no' this seems li&e a h ge #o$, $ t any tas& can $e $ro&en do'n into 9a$y1teps to ma&e it more managea$le. 4e)t let(s loo& at yo r porches and dec&s. Are there crac&s or rotting 'ood+ %hen 'as the last time yo press re 'ashed and sealed the 'ood+ Are the handrails attached sec rely and are the steps rotten or nsta$le+ !hin& sa"ety here; co ld someone st m$le and "all $eca se o" yo r negligence. O r homes need to $e sa"e "or s, $ t they also need to protect o r visitors. Does yo r garage door 'or& properly+ ,ave yo changed the $atteries in the opener+ ,ave yo ever read yo r instr ction man al to &no' 'hat needs to $e done to &eep it r nning smoothly+ !his is a good place to start. I" yo can(t "ind yo rs, loo& online "or its man al or generic instr ctions "or the sa"e operation o" a tomatic garage doors or reg lar garage doors. All yo have to do is p t the ma&e and model n m$er o" yo r door opener into Ioogle and it 'ill "ind the man al "or yo . Is there trash in yo r garage that co ld catch "ire+ Iet rid o" the piles o" papers and maga8ines that yo have stashed there. !hey can catch "ire $y spontaneo s com$ stion or $y critters $ ilding nests in yo r de$ris. Do yo have holiday lights that have $een p "or a year or more+ !hey need to go a'ay. !hey are not made "or year ro nd e)pos re to rain and

27 s n. !hese need to $e ta&en do'n and thro'n in the trash. ,oliday lights are only made "or a "e' 'ee&s o" e)pos re. Other things to chec& 'hen yo are doing yo r s rvey are the drive'ay, yo r mail$o), 'ater hoses and any other o tdoor "a cets yo have not chec&ed. Do they need any repair+ Are they lea&ing+ Are the hoses crac&ed+ Do they need to $e replaced+ 2o have completed an o tside loo& at yo r home. *ost things can $e done 'itho t a lot o" &no'ledge o" constr ction or repair. I" yo don(t &no' ho' to "i) something, do not procrastinate a$o t getting it done. As& someone, do an Internet search or go to yo r local .do it yo rsel"/ store. %e love those places any'ay. !hey have people there to help yo . As& a "riend 'ho may &no' someone yo can hire.

28

Heating and 0ir Conditioning

O r heating and air conditioner nit is pro$a$ly the most e)pensive appliance 'e have in o r home. It &eeps s 'arm and cool, $ t it can(t do this i" 'e e)pect it to ta&e care o" itsel". %e have to &eep it serviced. !his means changing the "ilters once a month and sched ling ann al service. !hese nits need to $e cleaned. !hey get lots o" de$ris on the grill o tside. %e have to read the man al on this nit to &no' 'hat it needs. I" yo don(t have one then "ind the model n m$er and the $rand and loo& it p online. :very "e' years 'e have o r d cts cleaned o t. 1ome people don(t thin& this is necessary $ t a"ter 'e remodeled o r home they 'ere "illed 'ith de$ris. Are the taped #oints o" yo r d ct 'or& sec re+ 2o can lose heated and cooled air thro gh these #oints. 2o r nit 'ill $e heating and cooling n sed areas o" yo r home ca sing yo r " el $ills to go p. Are yo r ret rn air vents $loc&ed $y cl tter and are they open+ ,ave yo closed o"" too many vents in yo r home+ - st 'al&ing over them sometimes closes them. !his can ca se yo r nit to overheat and damage the heating cham$er. !his 'ill also &eep yo r air conditioner "rom cooling yo r home properly. Is yo r thermostat 'or&ing correctly+ 2o may need to p t a thermometer ne)t to it to see i" the nit &ic&s in at the right time. ,ave yo closed o"" too many doors to the rooms in yo r ho se so that the air does not "lo' past the thermostat correctly+ 4o' this does not have anything to do 'ith yo r heating and air conditioning nit, $ t i" yo have a "ireplace yo need to have the chimney chec&ed "or crac&s and the "l e chec&ed "or creosote $ ild p. !his can ca se a chimney "ire and create a lot o" damage to yo r home. 2o also lose a lot o" heat and air conditioning p yo r chimney. Do yo close yo r damper 'hen yo are not sing yo r "ireplace+ Do yo have "ireplace doors i" yo don(t have a damper+

29

La-n 35uipment
O r la'n mo'ers, 'eed eaters and other motori8ed e7 ipment also need to $e ta&en care o" $e"ore cold 'eather sets in and $e"ore spring time comes and 'e need to cran& them p and ta&e care o" o r yards. La'n mo'ers 'ill need to $e serviced at least once a year. 0lease read yo r o'ner(s man al "or more in"ormation on 'hen and ho' to do this. !he gas 'ill need to $e treated over the 'inter to &eep it "rom getting g mmy. Ietting into the ha$it o" p tting yo r e7 ipment a'ay a"ter yo clean it p 'ill help to &eep it "rom deteriorating. I" yo 'ill ta&e good care o" them, they 'ill help yo ta&e care o" yo r la'n.

#o- for our La-n$

I almost "orgot a$o t o r la'ns and gardens. !here really 'asn(t a good place to insert this. ,ere is as good a place as any, right a"ter o r la'n e7 ipment maintenance section. I don(t have any grass in my yard; I # st have a "lo'er garden and m lch. !om 'ill have to help me 'ith this section. I do &no' "rom 'atching him that he has a set time each 'ee& to mo' and trim his yard. ,e also does 'eeding and "eeding o" his la'n 'ith $ags o" "ertili8er. ,is la'n al'ays loo&s great. ,ere are some o" the things that !om does to ma&e his la'n loo& great all the time. ,e has a simple ro tine "or this # st li&e 'e teach. La'n *o'ing <. I mo' once a 'ee& s ally on 1at rday. I chec& the "orecast to see i" I need to ad# st the day to Friday or 1 nday. 2. Irass sho ldn(t $e c t too short. !he soil 'ill dry o t and it 'ill stress the plants. A height o" aro nd A inches 'or&s "or most grass types.

30 A. C t the grass in a di""erent direction each 'ee&. !his 'ill &eep the grass "rom leaning over and gro'ing long. %hen this happens yo 'ill have less grass. I call this the La'n Com$ Over. 3. I" yo are "inished mo'ing and yo see cl mps o" c t grass on yo r la'n, raise yo r mo'er dec& one notch and mo' over the cl mps. !his 'ill ena$le the $lades to only 'or& on the grass cl mps. !ry it; yo 'ill li&e it. =. I" yo trim and edge $e"ore yo mo', most o" the clippings 'ill $e $agged or m lched and the la'n 'ill loo& $etter. 1eeding Once a year in "all, it is good to over seed yo r la'n. !his is # st so'ing seeds in the grass to enco rage ne' gro'th. !his is the $est time "or seed gro'th. I se a rotary spreader to evenly spread the seed. I do this $e"ore I do my "all "ertili8ing. For $are spots till or ra&e the area < inch deep. Add top soil i" necessary and evenly spread seed. 2o then sho ld "ertili8e and &eep moist. %ater t'ice a day ntil it starts coming in nicely. Aerating and !hatching !hatch is the dead grass clippings that acc m late at the $ase o" the grass $lades. ,aving G to J inch o" thatch is $ene"icial to the la'n. It $ ""ers the soil and protects the grass roots. *ore than J inch is a pro$lem $eca se it 'ill repel 'ater m ch li&e a thatch roo". Aerating is a 'ay to $rea& p the thatch to allo' the o)ygen and n trients into the soil. It ta&es a heavy d ty ra&e or a piece o" e7 ipment yo p ll $ehind yo r mover. Aerating 'ill s ally &eep the thatch nder control. I aerate my la'n once a year in the "all $e"ore the "all "ertili8ing. Irass that is in high tra""ic areas 'ill also need to $e aerated d e to the compacted soil. !hatching sho ld only $e done 'hen the thatch is over J inch. !his act ally harms the grass $lades, so it sho ld $e done every 2 years at the most.

31 As yo can see "rom !om(s la'n ro tine, he ta&es great pride in his yard. !han&s !om "or helping s learn ho' to do this. %ith most things in o r li"e, 'e see all or nothing. - st loo&ing at o r homes and yards, 'e donKt thin& that there is eno gh time to do it all. %ell there is, i" yo 'ill learn to $rea& these areas into 8ones and smaller $ites. !rying to do it all in one day is going to over'helm yo and ta&e the #oy "rom it. Oh yes, there is #oy in yard 'or&. Let me tell yo a$o t o r yard. %e do not mo'. %e live in the 'oods and have no grass, $ t I &no' a$o t mo'ingG It is li&e 'ashing dishes; yo never get "inished, $eca se as soon as yo do, the grass decides to gro' again. For those o" yo that donKt &no' a$o t o r $asic 'ee&ly plan, # st thin& o" it as a day "or everything. %hen 'e loo& at o r homes, 'e have things that 'e do daily, every other day, 'ee&ly, $i'ee&ly, and monthly. !his also 'or&s "or o r yards and gardens. %hat needs to $e done daily in o r yards+ <. %eeding "lo'er$eds. !his is one o" those o tside #o$s that only ta&e a "e' min tes at a time. Consistent daily pl c&ing o" 'eeds "or only =C<= min tes 'ill &eep this nder control. !his is something that 'e have never noticed ntil it 'as o t o" hand. I &eep a pair o" garden gloves, small ra&eLspade tool, and some snips in a $as&et $y my "ront door, so 'hen I 'al& o tside in the cool o" the evening or early morning, I can p t on the gloves and do # st a little. Another reason "or 'earing the gloves, $esides &eeping yo r hands "rom getting dirty, is to protect yo r hands "rom thorns. 2. Deadheading spent "lo'ers is something that can $e done daily as yo 'al& aro nd yo r garden. 1nip, 1nip, 1nipG A. 1ome plants need to $e 'atered every day d ring the hot part o" the s mmer. I ma&e it easy to 'ater, $y having the 'ater hose handy or a 'atering can "illed at all times. I # st re"ill it a"ter I 'ater, that 'ay I can 'ater 'itho t a lot o" hassle.

32 2o can incorporate these things into yo r daily ro tines. I" yo 'ill spend <= min tes a day doing these little things in yo r garden, yo 'ill never have to spend a 'hole day again. 4o' 'hat needs to $e done on a 'ee&ly $asisH <. *o'ing. For the most part, mo'ing ta&es "rom < ho r to as many as =C6 ho rs, i" yo have a $ig yard. 2o can also $rea& yo r yard into 8ones and do it over a co ple o" days i" yo need too. !his sched le 'ill need to $e "le)i$le according to the 'eather. 1o set aside one day 'ith an optional day i" needed. 2. 1ome "lo'ers or la'ns may need to $e 'atered 'ee&ly; I personally do not recommend heavy 'atering. !he more yo 'ater early in the year, the more shallo' the root system develops and i" 'e have a lot o" dry 'eather, the plants 'ill not $e hardy and 'ill s ""er and so 'ill yo . Mse a little 'ater 'hen yo plant them; then let them root hog or die, I al'ays say. I" I have to 'ater them; I &no' me, I 'ill not do it. 1o they had $etter learn to "end "or themselves. I also li&e to plant a lot o" sed ms and dro ght tolerant plants. I li&e a pretty garden 'itho t a lot o" 'or&. A. 1ome people li&e to "ertili8e their la'n and garden 'ee&ly. Fertili8er companies have made this easy "or those o" s 'ho don(t &no' a$o t ro tines. !hey have made time release "ertili8ers. 3. 0r ning o" yo r perennials 'ill stagger $looms and create less leggy plants. !his is good to do early in the season. !his also helps them $e " ller plants. =. 1ome o" my "lo'ers need to $e sta&ed so they donKt spread o t 'hen the rain 'eighs them do'n. 1o I chec& on this a$o t once a 'ee&. I also loo& at my vines to ma&e s re that they are ent'ined in the trellis. I" yo 'ill spend <= min tes a day en#oying yo r yard and garden $y 'al&ing o t there and loo&ing "or a "e' 'eeds and clipping 'hat is calling o t to yo , yo can t rn 'or& into a la$or o" love and $ea ty. IsnKt that

33 e)actly 'hat 'e have done 'ith yo r home; "illed it 'ith loveG Fill yo r yard 'ith the same love. It is only 'or&, i" yo thin& o" it that 'ay. I hope this ,ome *aintenance Control -o rnal 'ill help yo to not $e a"raid o" home and car maintenance. I am also going to incl de a chec&list "or each season and a list to 'rite do'n these important pro"essionals( phone n m$ers. !here are also some printa$le la$els to se on yo r calendar.

34

6ur Car$ need a little Lo,e too.

All most o" s &no' ho' to do is get in o r cars, ad# st the seats, p t gas in the tan&, t rn on the radio and drive o r cars till they 'ill not r n any more. O r cars need # st a little tender loving care too. A"ter all, i" 'e ta&e care o" them, they 'ill ta&e care o" s. !he " nny thing a$o t car maintenance is that 'e >'omen? don(t &no' m ch a$o t it. It is not that 'e don(t 'ant to &no'; it is that 'e # st do not even thin& a$o t it. For s, p tting gas in o r cars is a ma#or inconvenience. %e 'ait till the last possi$le " me has $een cons med $e"ore 'e stop "or a "illC p. %e have to practice "illing p more o"ten and 'hen 'e do there are some things that 'e can do as the gas p mp is p tting the " el into o r vehicles. As yo get o t o" the car, gather p any trash that needs to $e thro'n a'ay. !his is a great ha$it to esta$lish. %hile the gas is p mping ta&e a vis al inspection o" yo r tires to see i" any o" them loo& lo' in air press re. It is never " n to have a "lat tire on a $ sy high'ay or r n o t o" gas. Another thing to do as yo "ill p is 'ash yo r 'indshield to remove $ gs and dirt that can o$str ct yo r vision. %hen 'e 'ere yo ng, there 'ere " ll service stations that 'o ld chec& yo r oil and other "l id levels 'hen yo "illed p. !hat doesn(t happen m ch these days e)cept in 4e' -ersey 'here yo are not allo'ed to p mp yo r o'n gas. :ach 'ee& set a day to "ill p yo r car and clean it o t. %hile yo are doing this, please chec& yo r children(s car seats to ma&e s re they are sec rely "astened. ,ave yo ever read yo r car(s instr ction man al+ *ost o" s have not. !hese little $oo&s ma&e "or interesting reading. !hey tell s 'hen sched led maintenance sho ld $e done. !hey can also save s a ton o" money. I" 'e don(t "ollo' the recommended sched led maintenance, 'e co ld $e responsi$le "or even 'arranted repairs. 2o can also learn a lot a$o t ho' o r cars 'or&. I had to read mine to "ig re o t ho' to p t gas in the "irst time.

35

*y 1'eet Darling has a ro tine "or reminding him to change the oil in his car. ,e does it every three months 'hen the seasons change; *arch, - ne, 1eptem$er and Decem$er. %hen yo get the oil changed, also chec& the transmission and $ra&e "l id levels and the tire press re. Also have the $elts chec&ed to see i" they are 'orn or loose. Another thing to have chec&ed is the coolant in the radiator and the 'indshield 'asher "l id. %indshield 'ipers need to $e replaced once a year. %e do this # st $e"ore 'inter sets in. 2o r tire press re can help yo get $etter gas mileage and &eep yo r car "rom p lling "rom one side to another. 5 nning on correct tire press re helps yo r tires to 'ear evenly. :very =000 miles it is good to rotate yo r tires and $alance them to help them 'ear evenly. 2o r "amily(s lives depend pon having good tires on yo r car. 5eplace them 'hen the tread is getting 'orn o t. 2o r car needs to $e 'ashed and vac med a$o t once a month. I &no' the g ys 'ill say this sho ld $e done once a 'ee&, $ t let(s "ace it, 'e are not going to do that. 5emem$er this 'hen 'e start a $rand ne' month. I hope yo can see ho' car maintenance is # st li&e the rest o" o r ro tines. %hen 'e get into the ha$it; they practically ta&e care o" themselves. 0lease ta&e care o" yo r cars. Little lives depend on them. Don(t allo' yo r cars to r n on emptyG A little !LC 'ill go a long 'ay 'hen yo r car is called on to per"orm 'hen yo need it.

36

1n Ca$e of 3mergency Contact #umber$ 6ccupation #ame P!one number

Car *echanic ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;; Carpenter ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;; Chimney 1'eep ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;; D ct Cleaner ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;; :lectrician ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;; :nergy 1 rveyor ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;; Ias Company ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;; ,eat and AC ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;; 0ainter ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;; 0l m$er ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;; 1eptic 0l m$er ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;; Other ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;;

7eeping t!e$e number$ !andy -ill keep you calm.

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Mont!ly C!eckli$t
Do one item each day starting on the "irst o" the month *ar& yo r calendars

Home <. 5eplace "ilter in heating and air conditioning nit 2. %ash range hood "ilter in dish'asher A. %ipe do'n 'ashing machine, chec& hoses "or lea&s 3. Chec& the oil and other "l ids, $elts, hoses in car =. Chec& "a cets "or lea&s 6. Clean the seals o" the re"rigerator and "ree8er La-n <. Chec& tools "or r st and loose parts Car <. Chec& oil and "l ids 2. %ash the car A. Clean o t car 3. *a&e s re children(s car seats are sec re.

38

Winter C!eckli$t
Home <. !ighten scre's and l $ricate door hinges 2. 5emove drain covers and clean o t hair A. Chec& ca l&ing in t $, sho'er and sin&s; ca l& 3. Chec& dryer vent and vac m lint o t o" dryer =. 5eplace 'ater "ilters in re"rigerator or "a cets 6. Chec& handrails "or loose connections B. Chec& threshold and carpet "or tripping seams La-n <. :n#oy dreaming a$o t yo r la'n and garden 2. 0 t do'n lime in Fe$r ary A. Chec& drainage aro nd the ho se and g tters Car <. Chec& tires "or tread 'ear and rotate t'ice a year 2. Change oil and "ilters in car; chec& $elts and hoses

39

"pring C!eckli$t
Home <. Chec& garage door; replace $atteries; read man al 2. Chec& s mp p mp i" yo have one A. Clean siding and chec& "or peeling paint 3. Open o tside "a cets "rom 'inter; get o t 'ater hoses =. Chec& roo" shingles and "lashing 6. Chec& handrails "or loose connections B. Chec& threshold and carpet "or tripping seams D. Change $atteries in smo&e detectors and vac m E. Nac m re"rigerator coils <0. Nac m $athroom "an grill <<. Chec& o tside o" ho se "or lim$s to ching ho se La-n <. *a&e s re la'n e7 ipment is ready "or season 2. Clean p a"ter 'inter A. *archH Cra$ Irass preventer 3. AprilH ! r" 9 ilder pl s 'eed control =. - neH ! r" 9 ilder pl s insect control 6. * lch Car <. Iet car inspected and rene' license plate >mar& yo r calendar and chec& yo r driver(s license "or e)piration date? 2. Change oil and "ilters in car; chec& $elts and hoses A. Chec& car man al "or sched led maintenance 3. Chec& $ra&es

40

"ummer C!eckli$t
Home <. Chec& chimney "or crac&s and have cleaned 2. !ighten scre's on ceiling "an $lades A. Chec& "ire e)ting ishers and replace i" needed 3. Chec& drainage aro nd the ho se and g tters =. Chec& handrails "or loose connections 6. Chec& threshold and carpet "or tripping seams B. Chec& h midity in $asement; t rn on deCh midi"ier La-n <. *o' 'ee&ly 2. !rim Car <. Change oil and "ilters in car; chec& $elts and hoses 2. Chec& tires "or tread 'ear and rotate t'ice a year

41

0utumn C!eckli$t
Home <. %interi8e o tside "a cets; p t a'ay hoses 2. Chec& 'indo's; 'eather strip and ca l& 3. Chec& doors "or 'eather strip and air lea&s =. Cover 'indo' nit air conditioners 6. Chec& electrical cords "or $ad pl gs and 'ires B. Chec& handrails "or loose connections D. Chec& threshold and carpet "or tripping seams <0. Change $atteries in smo&e detectors and vac m <<. Nac m re"rigerator coils <2. Nac m $athroom "an grill <A. Chec& h midity in $asement; t rn o"" deCh midi"ier La-n <. 1ervice la'n mo'er; sharpen $lades, 1taC$il the gas 2. Chec& o tside o" ho se "or lim$s to ching ho se A. 1eptem$erH ! r" 9 ilder 3. 1eptem$erH 5eCseed la'n or spot seed =. 4ovem$erH %interi8e; clean p and p t a'ay seasonal items Car <. Change oil and "ilters in car; chec& $elts and hoses