Lube Garage Door
Why: Garage door springs will corrode and break after so many uses. Lubing them regularly will prolong their life.
How: Form a piece of cardboard behind the spring to prevent the lube from going everywhere. Spray lube slow and steady along the springs, allowing them to be fully lubricated, and don’t forget the rollers, hinges and track.
Drain Water Heater
Why: Sediment collects and prevents proper heating, not to mention causing damage to the tank resulting in other failures.
How: Every year: Turn off power or gas. Turn cold water supply valve off. Hook a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom. Run the other end of the hose outside. Open the drain valve where the hose is attached. Open the pressure relief valve on top by pulling up. Allow the water in the tank to drain out. When the tank is empty, open the cold water valve for a few minutes to flush out the last remaining sediment. Close the drain valve and pressure relief valve and allow the tank to fill back up. Relight the pilot to the heater if gas, and turn it on. If electric, flip the breaker to restore power to the water heater.
Refrigerator Coil Cleaning
Why: Refrigerator coils covered in hair and other debris prevents them to efficiently release heat, causing it to overwork and eventually fail.
How: Take a vacuum brush, and break away and suck up any dust buildup.
Sump Pump Testing
Why: Because you don’t want to come home to a flooded basement.
How: It’s easy as pie, take a bucket of water and poor it down, see if it kicks on, if not, take the necessary measures to get it fixed before the next big rain.
Clean Dryer Vent
Why: A plugged vent can cause a house fire. Your dryer will not run efficiently. Your clothes take forever to dry. Smells start forming.
How: Remove vent cover and use a vacuum to suck out the debris.