ALLBIDS Blog

Home Maintenance Checklist: Things You Should Do Quarterly

Monday, 27 August 2018 | Mike Leano

The last time we talked about home maintenance, we showed a checklist of monthly tasks. Doing them frequently minimises headaches, reduces home expenses - and more importantly, keeps your household running as it should.

The tasks don't end there, however. As a follow up, we've compiled a list of home-related errands that you should do quarterly.

Clean faucets and showerheads

Mineral deposits (e.g. calcium, lime) in water tend to accumulate in faucets over time, and this can clog and damage plumbing fixtures, among other issues. If you live in a hard-water area, take the time to clean your faucets and showerheads every quarter.

To remove hard water deposits, you'll have to either:

1. Install a water softener.
2. Manually clean your pipes with CLR, vinegar and baking soda, or muriatic acid products.

Note: Now would also be a great time to look for leaks, re-caulk and clean faucet aerators.

See if your water softener needs salt

If you have a water softener system at home, remember to check if its brine tank needs some salt. If a salt bridge has formed, you won't have to put in more. In fact, you need to break up the salt bridge before regenerating the softener.

You may need to break and regenerate the accumulated salt for two or three days in a row to get rid of it.

Let the water run in plumbing fixtures

Bathrooms and plumbing fixtures (e.g. sinks, drains) still get dirty even when not being used, especially toilets. If you have a lavatory for guests - or any water source that isn't used frequently - make sure you flush or run a bit of water there to keep muck from accumulating.

Examine exterior walls

Make an effort to regularly inspect your home's exterior walls to check for cracks, decaying wood, deteriorating brick and mortar, and the overall condition of its paint. If you find issues, take the necessary steps to fix the damage.

Check the water heater's condition

Hot water on demand used to be a luxury, but it's now considered an essential. To keep it that way, you'll need to ensure your water heater is working properly with regular inspections.

When you do look it over, see to it that you check for:

• Signs of rust - You may encounter this near the burner or piping. May be caused by moisture in the area where the heater is installed.
• Blackened areas - This may occur near the burner due to backdrafts or poor combustion.
• Leaks - Look for drips around pipes, valves, the heater's pan, and the surrounding floor.
• Odd noises - Does your water heater crackle or whistle?

Tip: If you live in a hard-water area, drain a couple of gallons of water every quarter to minimise the build-up of deposits.

What happens if your water heater isn't in good shape? At the very least, you may have to call for a repair service.

Check your smoke/carbon monoxide alarms

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors serve as an important early warning system to protect you and your family, so make sure it's always working properly.

To test the alarm/s, hold down the "test button" until you hear a loud tone. If you can't reach the alarm, use a broom handle - just be careful not to damage the device.

Some possible outcomes:

• If the alarm doesn't go off, replace the batteries and test it again.
• If the alarm still doesn't sound with new batteries, there could be some rust on the battery terminals. Clean the contacts and test it again.
• If the alarm still doesn't sound after cleaning, you may have to replace your smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarm.

Inspect all door/window tracks and hinges

Even your doors and windows degrade. To keep them in proper working order, see how their tracks and hinges are doing. Dust tends to accumulate in small corners and ridges so ensure that they're clear of grime, rust and/or debris.

For easy, noise-free movement, lubricate the tracks and hinges with oil. One common option is WD-40, which should work like a charm on window tracks, hinges, sliding doors and such.

Vacuum your refrigerator coils

If your refrigerator doesn't seem to get cold enough, you may have to clean its condenser coil - it's usually located at:

• The back of the fridge.
• Under the ref, behind the base grille.
• At the top of the fridge.

When cleaning the fridge, always unplug it beforehand. To clean it, use a vacuum to remove any dust, dirt, hair or grime. Don't forget to vacuum the surrounding floor.

You'll actually save money doing this task quarterly, and your fridge should stay frosty.

Home maintenance options

ALLBIDS runs hundreds of online auctions for your home maintenance needs on a daily basis. We provide layers of protection on each auction, which means you can bid with confidence. So look for the right computer today at ALLBIDS.

If you're looking to sell home-related supplies, you can also use ALLBIDS to maximise your return, minus the hassle. Contact us today to find out how.