Woodside Square Condominium

Home Maintenance - Water Conservation

Oct 17, 2001

Now that Fall is here, and Winter soon approaching, we?’re reprinting pertinent items from the home maintenance checklist by Jerry Schreiber, that was included in the March-April 2001 Newsletter. If you do these checks, there?’s less likelihood that you?’ll be surprised by a cold house, high utility bills or water leaks in your unit.

The checks and inspections on this list are in addition to the ones that the community management performs on a regular planned basis outside your home and around the community.

INSIDE YOUR HOME -
Check all your water faucets to make sure they are not leaking. Repair leaky faucets.

Check your sump pump (if you have one) to make sure it works and there are no problems.

Change your furnace filter (four times each year minimum)

Check around ceilings and windows for signs of damage from rain-related leaks, leaking pipes or window condensation (condensation can lead to rotting in our wooden window-frames). Report any damage to the management company.

Check your heating and air conditioning vents to make
sure they all work and nothing is blocking air flow.

If you have a humidifier (on your furnace) or a dehumidifier in your basement, check their operation to make sure that the evaporators, condensers, filters and tanks are clean and working. Clean these items regularly.

OUTSIDE YOUR HOME
Check your outside faucet (if you have one) for leaks. Turn off the faucet if you leave a hose connected.

Check your air conditioner (or heat pump) heat exchanger. Make sure it is clean (no leaves or debris inside or blocking the screens). Make sure the motor runs freely (no loud screeching or other noises).

During a heavy rain (or later, in the winter, with fast melting snow), check your rain gutters and downspouts to make sure they are working properly and are securely connected. (If water is running over the top, there is a blockage.) Make sure the downspout water drains into the splash block, so that water won?’t accumulate near the building foundation. NOTE: A contractor checks the gutters and downspouts periodically, but there could still be a problem between checks. If you notice a problem, please notify our management company.

Check your window wells to make sure that they are clean, and there is no evidence of water leaking into your basement. (It is preferable to have these covered.)

For GARAGE OWNERS - If there is a water faucet in your garage, make sure it does not leak. Also turn off the water faucet when you leave a hose connected.