Colorado-based Kheli Mason had been studying to become a doctor when her career unexpectedly changed paths. She took a term off to earn some extra money, and landed a job with a forward-thinking building-maintenance handyman. “He bravely put an electric saw in my hands—it was a Milwaukee Sawzall, for you tool connoisseurs out there—and told me to cut a pipe,” she says. “He had no idea what he was starting. But after twenty-five years, two or three Sawzalls, and plenty of blades, I’m still sawing.”
In 2012, Mason founded The Handy Woman LLC. Her mission: to teach people, women homeowners in particular, how to care for their houses. Those who sign up for coaching, either one-on-one, in small groups, or in larger classes, get hands-on experience with typical home-maintenance projects. “Many of the repairs I’ve done for others over the years could have been avoided if the homeowners had been aware of basic maintenance procedures,” Mason says. “Most of these jobs are simple and can save quite a bit of money if they're carried out on a regular basis.”
A house that's in good health will be safe to live in, protected against damage, and running efficiently. Our handywoman—we like to think of her as the "house doctor"— brings you her top 10 maintenance tips to keep your house in peak condition.
Above: A front-loading Best Made Toolbox is a handywoman's best friend; $94.
1. Know where your main electrical panel and water shut-off valve are located.
Even if you have no intention of doing your own maintenance or repair work, you should know how to cut the power and turn off the water main in an emergency. That knowledge could prevent considerable damage in the event of a burst water pipe or hose—and could even save a life.
Above: Kuala Lumpur-based architects Building Bloc used water valves as faucets for an exposed plumbing aesthetic. Your main valve will probably look similar to this. Do you know where it is? Image via Habitus Living.
2. Make sure your fire extinguishers are ready to perform.
A fire extinguisher that's been sitting around for years may not work in an emergency. To make sure your extinguishers are in good order, check the dial gauges every month to see if the pressure needs recharging. If an extinguisher has been used once, even for only a small amount, it must be recharged. Look online for a local company that specializes in recharging fire extinguishers, or ask your fire department for advice.
Above: Every home needs at least one fire extinguisher, if not more. See 5 Quick Fixes: Fire Safety Round-up for other fire-prevention and safety items.
3. Replace the batteries in your safety alarms on a regular schedule.
Obviously, it's important to have functioning batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. (These days, the two are often combined in one unit.) Even if your alarms are hard-wired, they still need a backup battery in case your power goes out, so replace these batteries annually. And consider changing the thermostat battery at the same time, to avoid having your furnace malfunction while you're away.
Above: Keep plenty of fresh batteries on hand and organized in one place so you always have what you need. See more covetable organization in Rehab Diary: Amanda Pays and Corbin Bernsen Air Their Dirty Laundry. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista.
4. To keep appliances running efficiently, replace or clean filters as required.
Most appliances seem to have filters: refrigerators, humidifiers, water filtration systems, range hoods, furnaces, air conditioners, and more. Clean filters help your equipment function at peak efficiency and increase its life expectancy. While some filters can be cleaned and reused, most must be replaced with new ones. Keep track of which filters you need, and when they must be cleaned or replaced, by filing away any documents you received at purchase time.
Above: An array of filters for the range hood. Photograph by Gali Anng via Food.
5. Caulk regularly to protect against moisture.
Caulk protects the parts of your house that may be exposed to moisture. It seals gaps where water might seep in: around showers, tubs, and sinks, and on the exterior of the house around windows and doors, foundations and driveways. Vigilant maintenance of all the caulk will ensure that water won't cause mold, mildew, and eventual rotting. Not only is water damage expensive to repair, but it can also cause illness, since some people are susceptible to mold that grows on damp drywall and other materials.
Above: In his newly renovated house in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, interior designer and DiY'er Daniel Kanter makes sure the caulk around the sink is intact, to prevent water from seeping in to the wall behind. Image via Manhattan Nest.
6. Seal tile grout at least once a year, and clean it regularly.
Don't assume that the grout between your bathroom and kitchen tiles is waterproof. In fact, it's not. You need to apply sealant to the grout annually, or run the risk of water seepage. I've torn out many a shower to find the wall behind it so badly rotted from water infiltration that it crumbled in my hands. As an added benefit, sealant helps protect the grout against hard-to-clean staining. Some types of sealant are more labor-intensive than others, so do your research to find out what will work best for your situation.
Above: Besides sealing your grout, Mason recommends cleaning it regularly. For eco-cleaning, try this recipe for Homemade Tub, Tile, and Grout Cleaner. Image via Pop Sugar.
7. Clear obstructions from the clothes dryer duct.
Clogged vent systems are the leading cause of clothes-dryer fires. If you see lint around the dryer vent outside your house, you can be sure that lint has accumulated in the ducting. Every year you should clean the entire vent system, removing the flexible pipe connected to the dryer so you can vacuum it thoroughly, and using a flexible brush to reach up inside the dryer itself. Companies specialize in this service, but you can do it yourself with a kit of duct-cleaning brushes and other equipment. Annual cleaning also helps the dryer function properly.
Above: In clothes dryers, rigid or flexible venting material sustains proper air flow. Mason prefers the higher-gauge steel used in these rigid vents because it withstands heat better than the aluminum or plastic found in flexible venting. Image via Healthy Homes Partnership.
8. Remove debris from rain gutters and window wells.
Rain gutters are meant to direct water away from the house. But when gutters fill with leaves and other debris, water can creep under shingles, sneak behind wood siding, and damage walls. At least once a year, check that gutters and downspouts are clean and clear of obstructions. And watch for clogged drains in window wells, which can result in water leaking into your basement or crawl space. Cover window wells with screening to help keep drains free of debris.
Above: Rain chains are an attractive, low-maintenance alternative to downspouts. Image via LiD Architecture.
9. Clean the area around your refrigerator motor once a year.
The refrigerator fan is constantly drawing air into the area around the motor. That can cause dust to collect, blocking the motor's air intake and forcing the motor to work harder to keep the temperature cool inside the refrigerator. It can also shorten the motor's lifespan. At least once a year, pull out your refrigerator and clean the area behind and underneath to make sure the motor can run efficiently.
Above: A rare view of a refrigerator's backside. You should see this once a year, when you clean dust away from the motor to help it run smoothly. Image via Shopper's Choice.
10. Take these small measures to extend the lifespan of items in your home.
- Tighten the hinges, handles and knobs on appliances, cabinets, and doors as soon as they become loose. It helps the doors close properly, and saves wear and tear.
- Check the weatherstripping around your outside doors, and replace it when it becomes worn. This will help seal out drafts and keep insects from sneaking in.
- Freeze vinegar in ice cube trays and throw the cubes in your garbage disposal now and then to keep it clean and fresh.
- Another use for vinegar: removing hard water deposits, or scaling, on faucets, shower doors, and sliding-door tracks. Left untreated, scaling can damage surfaces over time.
Above: Tighten door handles whenever they feel loose, to keep the hardware functioning properly. Image via 5b.
Interested in other domestic applications for vinegar? See DIY: 10 Ways to Use Vinegar in the Home. For more on keeping a clean house, our editors share their Top 10 Cleaning Tips and Top 10 Secrets for Banishing Kitchen Odors. And if you're intrigued by rain chains, Gardenista shows you lots of options in 10 Easy Pieces: Rain Chains.
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