October 30th is National Checklist Day

Key tips to remember

  • Clean your furnace’s filter to get rid of dust buildup
  • Test your fire extinguishers to ensure they work
  • Check the attic for roof leaks

At first glance, Checklist Day might sound like just another made-up holiday. We haven’t seen any greeting cards for it… yet. And we’ll be honest, to-do lists don’t always make us feel like celebrating.

But hear us out: That’s exactly why we’re making Checklist Day our new tradition. Juggling work and family might mean that home maintenance isn’t always the main thing on our minds, but staying on top of it can help save time, money and stress in the months and years to come.

So from now on, we’re dedicating October 30th to powering through our own home maintenance checklist and crossing off the little things that can make a big difference down the road.

  1. Clean your furnace’s filter to get rid of dust buildup. A clean filter can prevent safety issues, unpleasant odors and ignition problems. It could even make your furnace more efficient.
  2. Give your garbage disposal a thorough cleaning. It’s as easy as dropping in a few ice cubes, switching it on and flushing it all with hot water and baking soda to help eliminate odors.
  3. Make sure indoor and outdoor air vents aren’t blocked. This will help prevent dangerous carbon monoxide risks and help vents run with maximum efficiency.
  4. Test your fire extinguishers to make sure they work. Check the expiration dates, too.  It’s a good idea to have one extinguisher in the kitchen and at least one on every floor of the house.
  5. Vacuum your refrigerator coils. Since the fridge can use up to 15% of your home’s total power, this can help make it run more efficiently — and could save you up to $100 per year.
  6. Flush your water heater and remove any sediment. This can help give the water heater a longer life and make it run more efficiently.
  7. Check the attic for roof leaks. It’s best to catch any water damage early, so you can make repairs fast and prevent the need for more costly repairs.
  8. Inspect showers, tubs and sinks. Re-caulk as needed to prevent water damage to walls and cabinets.
  9. Test your garage door’s auto-reverse feature. The door should automatically go back up if it comes in contact with an object. Test this with a two-by-four just to be safe.
  10. Run water and flush toilets in unused spaces. Turn on the sink in guest bathrooms, basements and other less-used spaces every few months to prevent buildup.

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The information in this article is intended to provide guidance on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.
 

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