Summer 2003 HomePage Newsletter - The HPS Newsletter of Home Maintenance

WHAT DID SUMMER MAINTENANCE DO TODAY?
BENEFITS OF OUR NEXT VISIT
WATER HEATER REHAB SERVICE
OUTDOOR FURNITURE: KEEP IT CLEAN!


What Did Summer Maintenance Do Today?
Today we serviced the garage doors by checking the operation and the auto reverse. Springs and cable tracks were lubricated and tightened if needed.

Finish hardware (towel bars, TP holders, soap dishes, etc. throughout the house were re-secured if loose. Cabinet hardware (doors and drawers) were tightened, lubricated and adjusted. Heavier cabinets were evaluated for seismic safety while those squeaky wooden drawers were waxed to open and shut more smoothly.

We inspected your home's cosmetic systems including wood and tile floors that may be showing burgeoning warp or crack problems.

HPS also checked the electrical panels to make sure they were easily accessible, properly connected and if anti-corrosion paste was needed. You know, the only time one ever looks at the electrical panel is when something goes wrong! Are your breakers labeled?

The water heater was checked for rust or leaks at the nipples, if the bond wire or seismic straps needed tightening and drained of any loose sediment. Do you know that water heaters can last 30 years with proper maintenance and a rehab program?


Benefits of our Next Visit
* Weather Defense Systems will have us removing roof and gutter debris and then flushing the gutters and downspouts for proper drainage. Did El Niño graphically illustrate a drainage problem with either your downspouts or landscape? Now that everything is dry, this is the ideal time to have those problems corrected. Have you ever noticed that rain gutter repairmen aren't busy when it's not raining?
* Environmental Systems such as the furnace thermostat and batteries will be checked. HPS will clean and adjust the blower, ignition and burners, vacuum the interior, change or clean the filter(s), check for possible gas leaks and cycle the unit. Registers will also becleaned of dust build-up so all that hot air has some place to go!
* Electrical Systems: GFCI outlets will be tested as well as dimmers and switches. Loose cover plates will be tightened.
* Safety Systems: Smoke detectors will be tested and batteries changed.


Water Heater Rehab Service
Water heaters can be made to last almost indefinitely if rehabbed every 3-5 years. This is very cost effective since a new water heater can cost over $1,000 dollars installed. Plus, over the years, quite a few codes regarding the installation of the water heater have been put into effect.

For instance:
* Water heaters are now required to have two instead of one seismic safety strap.
* The water line needs to be changed from an inflexible metal pipe to one that is flexible.
* All water heaters must now be raised off the ground so the burner is 18 inches above floor level (this is the price we pay for living in earthquake country.)


Unfortunately, after 8 years, most heaters are too far gone to rehab. If your water heater is between 5 and 8 years old, this service could be for you. Yes, the HomeCare Program does include water heater maintenance; HPS checks, inspects, adjusts, drains and tests, which helps extend the water heater's life and efficiency. The rehab service is more comprehensive though and includes 1) removing and replacing the anode rod; 2) vacuuming the sediment from the interior of the tank; 3) installing a new custom dip tube; 4) replacing the existing drain valve with new 3/4 ball-cock valve and 5) replacing the original nipples with new nylon lined unit.

Spending any money on a water heater is not fun because you don't get to play with it, wear it or drive it but rehabbing the unit is cost-effective in the long run. For more information, please call us at the office.


Outdoor Furniture: Keep it clean!
Have you heard this before? If you take care of it, it will last; if you clean it regularly, it will last longer. Here are some good tips regarding the care for upper-end outdoor furniture.

A very simple yet important step in taking care of your outdoor furniture is to simply hose it down on a regular basis. Even if you can't spare the time to scrub, the water will help rid the furniture of assorted body oils, sun block, dust, spider webs and guacamole dip drips.

If you do have the time to scrub, mix one gallon of lukewarm water with 1/4 cup of bleach and 1/4 cup of liquid laundry detergent (not dishwashing detergent). This formula is suitable for scrubbing many outdoor fabrics especially the vinyl-coated polyesters such as those used on slings and cushions. Use a soft brush or towel to scrub, leave the formula on for a few minutes and then hose off the furniture thoroughly.

Many makers of teak and other outdoor wood furniture suggest leaving it untreated to weather naturally and remain maintenance free. Murphy's Oil Soap is also recommended as a good cleaner for teak outdoor furniture.

Iron-mesh chairs need to be checked for rust spots and touched-up with matching, rust proof paint. Remember to remove the cushions if it should happen to sprinkle or if an errant lawn sprinkler wets the furniture because otherwise any trapped moisture will slowly and insidiously begin the rusting process.

So summer is here at last! Enjoy the weather, enjoy the furniture and enjoy your friends.

Read the Spring 2003 HomePage Newsletter

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