House Fix It Blog

National Home maintenance expert, Dave MacLellan, outlines the 10 most common mistakes made by homeowners in his book, The National Home Maintenance Manual . The book includes a yearly checklist of maintenance items, as well as a 10 yr checklist and schedule of tasks that should be conducted, so that homeowners can easily keep track of the items they have completed over the years. The checklist is also helpful during the resale process. Just like a car, the next owner can look back through the checklist and see how well the house has been maintained. For instance, has the roof been replaced, has the water heater been maintained, how about the paint job?
Homeowners should avoid the following pitfalls:
Exterior:
1)    Homeowners should never walk a tile roof! Roof tiles are easily broken. It is also a good idea not to walk on shingle roofs because the mineral granules on the shingle surface can become dislodged.
2)    Sprinklers should never spray against the house, especially against stucco walls. Water can pond around the foundation and cause major structural damage or movement.
3)    “Add on Structures” like decks, trellis’, or lanais should never be nailed or bolted directly onto the outside wall of the house. Rainwater could find its way in and cause dry rot. Also, nearly all local governments require a building permit for a trellis or lanai that is attached to the house.
4)    Avoid pouring the concrete patio too high. The patio should be at least two inches below door thresholds to avoid water being drawn up into the stucco. Decay and/or termites are a likely result.
5)    Do not alter the finished grades around the home. Grades are designed to allow rainwater and irrigation water to flow away from the house. Most new homes are delivered to homeowners without walkways, patios, landscaping, drainage systems, or swimming pools, so it is important for after-market contractors to maintain the finished grade. Many cities and counties require that the surrounding lot slope away at a 2% grade.

Interior:
6)     Never disconnect the fans in bathrooms or laundry rooms. The excess humidity in these areas can infiltrate the drywall or electrical outlets and cause mold or mildew. Always turn the vent fans on during use and leave running 15-30 minutes afterwards.
7)    Do not overload upper cabinets in the kitchen. Stacking heavy dishware and glassware in the upper cabinets can result in sagging or even detachment of the cabinet from the wall.
8)    Avoid placing extremely heavy items on the second floor. Try to keep items like pool tables, aquariums, and weightlifting equipment on the first floor to avoid floor deflection.
9)    Never tint the inside of dual pane windows. The heat buildup between the two panes of glass can cause the seals to break, and the windows lose their insulating value. The manufacturer’s warranty is also voided.
10)     Do not store anything on the garage or attic trusses. Trusses are designed to support the weight of the roof and the ceiling. Any additional weight causes a strain and could result in the sagging or actual collapse of the roof.

For more handy tips and information regarding maintenance of the home and our free 10 year home maintenance checklist download visit www.HouseFixIt.com .