Home Maintenance Archives | Page 2 of 3

This Suds Bucket ISN’T Self-Cleaning? Seriously!?

Posted on September 25, 2019 | by Clive Gillett

Yep! Sad to say, our favorite appliance for washing clothing doesn’t clean itself, despite the amount of soap you throw in there. If anything, it can actually be a haven for mold and mildew growth—so if you notice your clothing coming out a little… smelly… it might be time for some washing machine TLC.

The good news is that washing your washer isn’t all that washingly-complicated. It mostly amounts to a good wipe-down every now and then, some tubing inspection, and the occasional empty load run-through combined with vinegar.

Check out these Washing Machine Maintenance Tips* from AccreditedAppliance.com for an easy list of do’s and don’ts to keep your washer happy and healthy for years to come.

^*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with AccreditedAppliance.com in any capacity.

Don’t ‘FALL’ for it! Maintain Your Home

Posted on September 15, 2019 | by Clive Gillett

PUMPKIN SPICE! Okay, seriously though, focus: You have a (PUMPKIN SPICE) home to maintain and colder weather on the (PUMPKIN SPICE) way, so it’s really time to take a look around your home and… (PuMpKiN sPiCe) …erm…

AHEM. While this season does offer MANY distractions, now is the best time to maintain your home so you can sit back and enjoy the cooler weather without worrying about the actual COLD weather ahead. Check out this Fall Home Maintenance Checklist* offering a useful lineup of tasks, many of which you might not even think about on a regular basis. Out of sight could lead to out of pocket if you let things go too long, so let’s get to it.

We can reward ourselves with pumpkin spice afterward, I promise.

^*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with Forbes.com in any capacity.

FREEZE! Or Better Yet, Keep Your Ice Machine Working

Posted on September 4, 2019 | by Clive Gillett

Ah, ice. If you’re lucky, you no longer have to fill trays with water, carry them to the freezer (without spilling any), and wait for them to harden. No, you have a built-in icemaker, working day and night to make sure your drinks are always cold and refreshing. Wouldn’t it be terrible if it… stopped?

Save yourself from reverting to the ice cube tray any sooner than necessary. Check out 5 Things to Know About Cleaning Your Freezer’s Built-In Ice Maker^* for a safe and sanitary cleaning regimen you can perform on occasion. You may also find this article useful if your ice is starting to taste funny, or has small particles showing up in it. What’s a few minutes of cleaning on occasion to keep your ice… well, like ice? Freeze on!

^*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with thekitchn.com in any capacity.

Open & Shut: Garage Door Opener Maintenance

Posted on August 14, 2019 | by Clive Gillett

Our two-car garage did not include garage door openers when we first moved in. After one horrendous winter without them—pull up the icy driveway, get out without slipping, go into the side door of the garage, unlock and open the garage door from the inside, get back into the car, pull forward, then face the cold once more to shut and lock the garage door—it was clear that automated garage door openers would be in our immediate future.

Whether you had them upon moving in or added them later, regular use will eventually wear down parts and equipment like any other machine. Occasional maintenance (much easier to perform during warmer weather) will keep their convenience at your fingertips longer—and hopefully out of those winter blasts.

Each task listed in the Top 10 Preventive Maintenance Tips for Garage Door Owners by Garaga.com^* takes mere minutes to complete, and can save you a lot of headache in the future. Worth it? Just ask our frozen former selves.

^*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with Garaga.com in any capacity.

Septic Sense: Maintaining the Motions

Posted on July 26, 2019 | by Clive Gillett

One of the finer aspects of society living is public plumbing: Once you flush, it goes away. But with more than 20 percent of households relying on an onsite system to treat their wastewater, you may have found yourself with a septic tank to maintain. Don’t panic: While repairs can be costly, septic systems typically have a 30-year life expectancy with proper maintenance.

First Things First

A little bit about your septic system: It consists of a large underground tank and a drain field. The tank is designed to handle the solid matter, while the treated waste water escapes into the drain field through a filter.

Your maintenance goals, should you accept them, are to:

Prevent excessive solid waste accumulation in the tank, and
Prevent groundwater contamination.

Ew, right? Relax, you won’t be digging around in… ick. It’s mostly just having it serviced regularly, using a ‘good’ bacteria additive, and some good old-fashioned common sense. Check out this article, ‘Your Guide to Septic Tank Maintenance’ on Moving.com^*, for an easy read that explains what to do and how to do it, along with suggestions to help extend the life of your tank.

So let’s roll up our pantlegs (kidding!) and get to work enjoying our modern plumbing!

For more information on Septic Tank warranty coverage, visit APHW.com or call us anytime at 1.800.648.5006.

^*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with Moving.com in any capacity.

Save Your Summer Sanity: Home Maintenance Tips

Posted on July 9, 2019 | by Clive Gillett

We all take care of those everyday tasks like laundry or the dishes, but when was the last time you cleaned the dust out of the heat vents? Deep cleaned the bathroom drains? How about de-linting the dryer vent and exhaust ducts?

These are the tasks folks tend to forget about. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind, right? They may seem minor, but if left long enough, some tasks can be dangerous to your home and family—can we say ‘dryer-fire’?

Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work. A little maintenance can go a long way, as they say, so check out this list of 30 Summer Home Maintenance Tips* you can check off one by one, and have a safe and fun summer season!

*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with InsuranceHub in any capacity.

Avoid the Arctic – Maintain Your Water Heater

Posted on June 19, 2019 | by Clive Gillett

I once had the unfortunate circumstance of showering with cold water. I’m talking COLD. Not room temperature, not slightly chilly—cold. Zero heat. Suffice it to say, that was the fastest shower I have ever taken. I will never suffer through it again if I can help it, and regularly maintaining your home’s water heater is the best way to avoid ever having to yourself.

Hot water is useful in many other ways too, of course—sinks, dishwashers, and washing machines, to name a few. But even if icy water isn’t enough to persuade you, consider this: It is a LOT more expensive to replace a hot water heater than it is to maintain it, and a poorly maintained one will also increase your energy bills. Save yourself some cash and take notes.

Options on the Market

There are two main types of hot water heater: Storage Tank and Tankless.^*

Whether gas or electric, Storage Tank Water Heaters have the lowest price up front for purchase and installation, but have higher monthly energy costs because they have to constantly keep a steady supply of heated water. When considering what size to get, take the number of people in your household and multiply it by at least 10 gallons per person (taking other water usage into account of course, such as shower length and number of washer loads).

Tankless Water Heaters are more popular nowadays. They offer lower monthly energy bills (because they heat the water on-demand instead of keeping a supply warm). They also offer higher efficiency and compact size, but they are more expensive to purchase and have installed for these same reasons.

Maintenance Tips

Generally, maintenance of either option includes regular flushing of the systems to remove sediment, as well as visual inspections for leaks and other wear and tear. Check out these tips for maintaining your Tankless Water Heater^* or your Storage Tank Water Heater^* to keep your water heater running its best for the longest possible time—and avoid those cold showers!

*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with
Water Heater Hub, This Old House, or Green Living Ideas in any capacity.

Water Hitting Hard? Maintain Your Softener

Posted on March 25, 2019 | by Clive Gillett

Hard water can be a financial pain. You use twice as much soap for the same lather, have higher gas and electricity bills, go through clothing items faster, and have a harder time with appliance & plumbing maintenance—never mind what it does to your hair and skin in the shower. It can add up to hundreds of dollars every year, which is why water softeners are a standard household appliance across much of America. So, show your water softener some love once in a while! Your wallet will thank you.

Know Your Salt Stats

Your user manual will recommend the best salt form and kind to use for your specific machine. Pellet form is the least likely to clog, and there are three kinds of water softener salt on the market:

Rock Salt is the cheapest, but it’s also the lowest quality. As the salt dissolves, excess sediment will settle on the bottom of your tank and may lead to clogs in the system. Homeowners who choose this option should clean the tank more frequently.

Solar Salt is of medium quality. It has a higher price tag but allows your tank to run more efficiently.

Evaporated Salt is the highest quality option. It’s the most expensive, but it has little to no sediment and is least likely to cause unnecessary problems with your unit.

Don’t Be a Stranger

Take a peek into your water softener tank at least once a month to check the levels. If your salt is at ¼ tank or less, it’s time to add more. Fill it up to at least half a tank, and the water level should stop about 3 inches below the salt level.

Common Issues

Homeowners face two common issues with water softeners: Salt Bridges and Salt Mushing.

A Salt Bridge is when the salt at the top of the pile has hardened into a solid layer, or ‘bridge,’ preventing any new salt from mixing into the water below. Take a broom handle and poke through the bridge down to the bottom of the tank, gently breaking it apart and mixing it with the rest of the salt. If this happens frequently, you may want to use less salt, let it drop lower between refills, or clean your brine tank.

Salt Mushing is a more serious problem, when the salt and water at the bottom of the tank have created a sort of salt slush together, causing water to rise above it instead of mixing in. The best fix is to scoop it out and replace the salt, but if you’re looking to save the salt, you could try scooping the salt mush into hot water to dissolve it, and then mixing it back in.

Cleaning & Other Tasks

Cleaning: Modern water softeners can typically go between five and ten years in between manual cleanings. You really only need to clean them if your water has turned hard and basic maintenance is not fixing it. Older softeners should be cleaned about once per year, or if you’re experiencing frequent clogs, bridges or mushing. Refer to your user manual for details on how to clean your tank, or take a look at this article. Take care not to dump any waste into your yard—the salt will kill your plants.

Water Softener Cleaner: Flush your tank with Water Softener Cleaner once every few months, following the instructions on the label. This will assist with removing excess sediment as well as extending the life of your unit.

Bypass Valve: Exercise the bypass valve a few times a year by twisting it to ‘off’ and back to ‘on.’ This ensures that you won’t have to struggle to access it if needed, plus it allows you to check for any leaks or drips. If it does leak or drip, you may need to replace parts.

Clean the Valve Between Tanks: Twice a year (or when clogs form), clean the valve between the brine tank and the resin tank. Make sure you follow your manual instructions to the letter for this: Failure to do so could result in parts damage or personal injury.

Order a Tune Up: It may be worth having a professional plumber take a look at your water softener once every few years, to ensure it’s working properly and has a good, solid cleaning.

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Temperatures On The Rise? Don’t Sweat It

Posted on March 11, 2019 | by Clive Gillett

I know there’s still snow on the branches and ice in your driveway, so your air conditioner is probably the farthest thing from your mind. Don’t keep it on the back burner, though, or you may find yourself in hot water, or rather hot air.

Okay, puns aside, it really is important that you do a maintenance check on your A/C unit before you actually need it. It’s easier than you think. Here are a few tips on how to give a standard outdoor unit a once-over.

Cut the Power: Turn the breaker box switch off for your A/C unit and test the power source to ensure it’s off prior to any cleaning. Those fan blades are no joke.

Clean It Up: Trim back any nearby foliage or flowers. Clear away any leaves or debris and do what you can to remove as much outside dirt as possible. A brush attachment on a Shop-Vac works well, or a light spray from the hose. DO NOT use a pressure washer—it could cause damage.

Test It Out: Once it’s cleaned up, restore the power and give it a quick test. This is easier with two people, one outside at the unit, and the other at the thermostat to turn on the A/C. That way if anything seems off, it’s a quick tap to turn it off, rather than having to run back inside.

For more in-depth DIY maintenance of your A/C unit, check out this article on the DIY Network.

There are occasions when hiring a professional is the way to go, such as performing an in-depth tune up, or if it is malfunctioning of course. If you’re unable to perform these steps on your own or if it has been a while since its last tune up, you may want to consider scheduling a visit. Experts recommend tune-ups on an annual basis, typically in the spring.

Not everyone is the handy type, but you don’t have to be for some basic maintenance. It’s worth more than just keeping your machine running longer and more smoothly—it also helps prevent a larger hit to your wallet. Just pick a day sometime in the next couple of weeks when it’s not raining or snowing, and get it done. Trust me, it’s worth it.

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Do the Right ‘Spring’: Maintain Your Mansion

Posted on March 7, 2019 | by Clive Gillett

Northerners may be considering some groundhog revenge—He said Spring would be EARLY this year!—but those down south are enjoying some much warmer weather. So, let’s dust off the old Spring-Cleaning chore list, and while we’re at it, let’s give your home a check-up too. (Don’t worry, Spring will make it up north eventually!)

Inspection Suggestions

Pretty much every joint, corner, panel, shingle or window in your home is a good place for nature to try and wriggle through. Help your home (and your budget) with a thorough inspection of each room, including the basement and attic.

Look for worn, cracked or flaking caulk or seals.
Check for cracks in your foundation.
Inspect your roof, especially around your chimney.
Look over gutters and downspouts.

Walk around inside and outside slowly, taking notes as you do—so you can check each one off as you fix it and none get forgotten. While this may seem tedious, it’s necessary: Small issues have a habit of becoming much bigger (and more expensive) issues when left to their own devices.

While you’re looking around, take notice of any exposed piping or tubes in your home, like those connected to your washer and dryer, or the pipes beneath your sinks—Spring is a great time to check for leaks.

Dust EVERYTHING

Yep, you read that right. Pull out those appliances (gently—you don’t want to break any connections) and use a vacuum brush extension to dust the back and underneath. Dust all those shelves that nothing ever moves on. Go through your entertainment center and dust all the connections. Clean up underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks and wipe down any exposed piping in your basement.

Why so thorough?

Dust is essentially dead skin cells, so… ew.
Many-legged critters like to hole up in dark spaces for the Winter. This is their eviction notice.
The more dust that builds up on your appliances, the harder they have to work, which reduces their lifespan.

Isn’t one day of dusting each year worth the money they would cost to replace? Plus the other two reasons?

Some Other Considerations

Test your Sump Pump
Check the Water Pressure
Drain Sediment from your Water Heater
Lubricate Often-Used Mechanics (such as a garage door opener)
Clean out the Dryer Vent
Check the Garage Door for Balance
Clean your Air Conditioner
Test/Replace Smoke Detector Batteries

Happy Spring Cleaning!