The role of home maintenance and modification

The role of home maintenance and
modification
By Eva Hone
Abstract
In this paper you will see how important is to maintain your house. Whether
you intend to sell your home or stay for many years, it is important to carry out
regular maintenance and repairs. Staying on top of things with minor fixes will
help you to avoid big problems later down the line. Major features like
plumbing and heating should be monitored and serviced on a regular basis. Not
only are they necessary for comfortable living, they can also be very expensive
to replace. If on the other hand the features are ageing and inefficient, it may be
worth a replacement to save on monthly bills in the long term. It is also
necessary to evaluate your roof once every so often – as the roof protects every
other investment you have made in your home, it is vital to keep it in working
order. Water can be detrimental under certain circumstances. This is another
instance where it is very important to stay on top of little annoyances that can
become expensive disasters. Not only will regular upkeep maintain the comfort
and look of your home, it will help you to maximise its value if you decide to
sell.
1.0 Introduction
Today I wanted to look at the necessary, if un-glamorous!, world of
house maintenance – and the reasons why it’s so crucial for everyone
to focus on when you own your own home.
Hopefully by the end of this post you’ll be on board with me in how
important this aspect of homemaking is, and be excited (a little… fingers
crossed!) to get to grips with your own home, once and for all.(Ray White
News, 2012)
My definition of home maintenance is any jobs that involve checking,
DIY, and basically maintaining(!) where you live. It’s about maintaining

the structure, fixtures and fittings – and ensuring your home stays safe,
secure and looked after for you in day to day life, and in emergencies.
It’s NOT things like cleaning, gardening etc… – which I class as chores
more than maintenance. (Yes – arguably doing chores maintains the
home as well, but I like to split them up as they are easier to manage this
way.)
Some tasks that I would consider home maintenance are: –
Chimney sweep
Checking smoke detector
Inspecting roof for leaks
Keeping on top of the Home Inventory
2.0 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD DO HOUSE MAINTENANCE
Running a home, however big or small, can be daunting to say the
least. You probably made it a priority to buy a place that had a good
structural survey, and that would be a good investment. It was a good
investment because it had been maintained properly over the
years…(Organisemehouse, 2012)
Figure 1
In fact – it’s all too easy to let maintenance slip to the bottom of the
priority list when there are so many other things to do:

Chores
Paperwork
Budgeting
Decorating
Life
2.1 The Importance of Proper Home Maintenance
It is very important to fix problems in your home as soon as you
are aware of them. Minor problems can become major ones if not
addressed promptly. For example, a faulty light switch is a minor
inconvenience now, but could easily lead to a fire if not taken care
of soon. A leaky pipe can not only cause damage to walls, floors
and ceilings but can also cause an unhealthy, serious and costly
mold problem. And a broken step or loose handrail can cause an
unwelcome trip to the emergency room.
Some home maintenance tasks are relatively simple and can be
done without professional help. But others are not so easy. Unless
you are skilled in wiring, plumbing, carpentry, drywall repair,
windows, masonry repair and the like, you should probably rely on
an expert. Use your judgment. If you feel you can’t or shouldn’t
handle a particular task competently or safely, it’s better to call a
professional.
Figure 2
You may also choose a professional for the convenience. Even if
you have the skills to do a repair, you may not have the tools or the

time to do the repair in a timely fashion or would like to spend
your free time with your family and friends. Don’t forget quality.
Poor workmanship or low quality materials can cost you more in
the end. Repairs must be done properly to maintain the value,
beauty and safety of your home. (Hebinc, 2006)
3.0 The Importance of Good Practice In The Repair And Maintenance
Of Dwellings
Under the terms of the housing legislation, local authorities have primary
responsibility for the repair and maintenance of the public housing stock.
The right of local authorities to reconstruct, enlarge or improve any
dwelling which they own is laid down in the 1966 Housing Act and the
minimum standards to which local authority accommodation should be
maintained are prescribed by the 1992 Housing (Miscellaneous
Provisions) Act. In recent decades the obligations of local authorities in
regard to repair and maintenance have been modified somewhat. The
tenancy agreement provisions which are set out in Article 83 of the 1980
Housing Regulations, for example, confer some responsibility for
maintenance of parts of the interior of dwellings on tenants, and the 1992
Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act allows local authorities to
delegate aspects of their housing management function to a designated
body.
Although this division of responsibilities between the landlord and
tenants can help to maximise the resources coming into the maintenance
programme, it also raises further challenges for local authorities in that it
increases the complexity of the housing maintenance task. Furthermore, it
does not diminish the responsibility of local authorities to repair and
maintain aspects of the public housing stock in order to fulfil their legal
obligations as landlord. As already mentioned, repair and maintenance is
significant from the financial perspective as it usually accounts for the
largest proportion of local authority housing management expenditure.
Over £55 million of the total of £124.79 million expenditure by local
authorities on public housing management in 1998, for example, was
spent on the repairs and maintenance service. Achieving value for money
and effective use of this investment is crucial in view of the high levels of
expenditure on repairs and maintenance and also because this service
plays a vital role in the conservation of the housing stock. (―GOOD
PRACTICE IN HOUSING MANAGEMENT REPAIR A N D
MAINTENANCE O F DWELLINGS,‖ 2000)

4.0 Vital Home Maintenance Tasks You’ll Regret If You Forget
You probably already have a home maintenance checklist: Replace the
furnace filter each season, shut off water spigots before winter, clean the
gutters, etc. That's a good start, but there are jobs that homeowners often
forget about, or don't even know about. Here are some important home
maintenance items that may not be on your list-items that may cause a big
headache, or worse, cost you big money if you neglect them.
4.1 Test the Sump Pump or Risk a Flood
It's easy to forget about your sump pump, but it's important to
make sure it's in good working order. If you don't, you could end
up like the homeowner who returned from a weekend trip to
discover his entire basement floor covered in 1/2 in. of water. After
shutting down the power, he waded over to the sump pump and
noticed it wasn't working. Upon closer inspection, he realized that
the cable attached to the float must have gotten tangled somehow.
It took him two seconds to untangle the cable, and then he spent
the next 15 hours dragging out waterlogged carpet, running the
wet/dry vac and moving fans around.
Figure 3
To avoid a similar disaster, be sure your pump has a vertical float
switch. Also, check your pump at least a couple times a year by

dumping water into the basin to make sure everything is working
properly.
4.2 Check for High Water Pressure or Wreck Fixtures and
Appliances
A technician was assisting a water softener installer who was
replacing a fairly new softener because the first one had ruptured
and filled the pipes with little zeolite beads. The installer didn't
seem too worried about why the first one failed, but the assistant
did a little investigating. A water pressure test gave a reading of
more than 110 lbs. psi. The culprit was the 20-year-old pressurereducing
valve. After a new valve was installed, the pressure went
down to about 75 lbs. Pressure-reducing valves are usually found
near the main water shutoff valve, but not all homes have them. It
depends on your municipality.
High water pressure can harm pipes, connections, and appliances.
It also creates water hammer and waste massive amounts of water.
Figure 4
Checking for high water pressure is an often overlooked
maintenance item, and one that's easy enough to perform. A new
pressure-reducing valve and a simple pressure gauge like this one
that hooks up to a spigot or laundry tub faucet are both available at
home centers.(Smart Homeowner, 2014)
4.3 Clean Window Weep Holes/Invite Rainwater into Your House

Many sliding windows and vinyl replacement windows have weep
holes on the exterior bottom of the frame. These holes are designed
to drain away rainwater that can collect in the frame’s bottom
channel. Weep holes can get plugged with bugs and debris, and if
that happens, water could fill up the channel and spill over into
your house.
Figure 5
Shawn Chesney Home Inspections recommends to include weep
hole monitoring and maintenance as part of your regular routine.
This will help prevent moisture intrusion causing significant
damage and costing hundreds if not thousands to repair.
To see if your weep system is working properly, simply pour a
glass of water into the track or spray the outside of the window
with a garden hose. If you don’t see a steady stream of clean water
exiting the weep hole, carefully poke a wire hanger or other blunt
object small enough to fit into the hole, or spray it out with
compressed air, cautious not to force or cause any damage then you
can wet it down again. If the little flapper (designed to keep out
driving wind) is stuck shut, it can be removed with a putty knife
and replaced.
A few simple maintenance routines such as this will prolong the
life of your windows and help maintain a good building envelope
thereby saving you money and repairs.(Shawn Chesney, 2016)
4.4 Clean Refrigerator Coils or Pay Unnecessary Repair Bills

―Cleaning those condenser coils is the No. 1 thing a consumer can
do,‖ says Steve Duncan, president of Duncan Appliance Service in
Carmel, Ind., highly rated by Indianapolis-area Angie’s List
members.―On most fridges, if you take the kick plate off, you can
see the coils, which can get covered with dust and pet hair,‖ says
Tanner Andrews, president of highly rated Andy’s Appliance Repair,
based in Lincoln, Neb. He advises unplugging the refrigerator
before vacuuming so you don’t accidentally lock up the fan.
Tanner notes that depending on the model, fridge coils may be at
the back or top of a fridge, and that some large, built-in models
may require a pro like him to handle periodic cleaning.
Duncan says inexpensive refrigerator coil brushes, available at
major retailers, are handy for getting between coils for more
thorough vacuuming. After coil-cleaning, he says, the next most
important refrigerator maintenance tip is to keep door gaskets from
getting sticky by occasionally wiping them down with warm water
and mild kitchen soap. He says a thin application of Vaseline can
also help keep the gasket material pliable.(Ellen Miller, 2012)
4.5 How to Clean Out Your Window Well
Your window well does more than just provide an escape route in
case of an emergency. When properly maintained, your window
well provides much needed light for your basement as well as
protecting your home from heavy rain and snow. But in order to
get the light and protection from water, you need to keep your
window well clean and clear. It may seem like a daunting task, but
it is one that every homeowner can and should do. Here’s how to
clean out your window well.
Step One: Remove Visible Debris
The first step to cleaning out your window wells is to get
down in your well and get to work! Take a trash bag and some
gloves and remove all the leaves, twigs, and other bits of debris
that have accumulated. While it may seem tedious, regularly and
diligently removing visible debris from your window well will save
you from having to do more invasive and deep cleaning techniques
later on.
Step Two: Vacuum

When cleaning your window well out by hand isn’t enough,
try vacuuming it out instead! Make sure you have a shop vacuum
or an industrial power vacuum that you can use to suck up any
remaining debris and even bugs from your window well.
Step Three: Ensure Proper Drainage
If you are having drainage issues despite removing and
vacuuming debris from your window well, your drainage system in
your window well may be clogged. If you have gravel in your well,
you may have to remove it and see what other drainage-clogging
debris is creating problems. If you don’t have gravel, adding some
will help with the drainage. If the answer isn’t obvious, you may
need to hire an expert to come and take a look. If there’s anything
you don’t want, it’s have a clogged drainage system!
Step Four: Get a Window Well Cover
Once you’ve cleaned out your window well and improper
drainage is no longer a threat, you’ll want to make sure you don’t
have any issues in the future. You can avoid debris buildup by
routinely cleaning out your window well. Another way to help
keep debris from getting inside your window well in the first place
is to put a window well cover over your well! With
both clear and standard grate options, you won’t miss out on the
sunlight or escape benefits of a window well, while providing some
protection from leaves, twigs, bugs, and animals. Window wells
will even keep burglars away from your home!(WindowWell,
2012)
5.0 Waterproofing Window Wells to Protect Your Basement
Keeping water out of your house is a priority for every homeowner.
Unlike foundation cracks or other damage, most homeowners aren’t
surprised to learn their basement windows are a major risk factor for
water intrusion. Waterproofing window wells and the windows inside of
them is an important step toward keeping your basement safe from the
weather.

Figure 6
5.1 Signs of Leaking in Window Wells
If your window wells aren’t protecting your home from water
appropriately, it’s typically very easy to tell. There are several
signs you can look for to identify a problem window well. Here are
some of the most common examples:
Water Trickling Down Walls: During or shortly after
rainfall, a clear sign of a leaking window well is trickling
water. In most cases, you can see this water coming down
the walls underneath a window well. The water itself or the
streaks left behind can be all it takes to identify a damaged
or non-functional water well.
Even light rains can build up in poorly drained window
wells, which allows enough pressure for moisture to force its
way through your windows. Once this breach happens, it
will continue to leak until the problem is solved.
Staining or Water Damage on Walls: You don’t need to see
water actively leaking through your window wells to notice
the signs of moisture intrusion. In most cases, water will
clear evidence, such as stains, discoloration or pockets of
damaged paint.

This makes it easier to track down potential problems, even
if you can’t be home during a rain storm. However,
depending on the types of walls you have, it may be more
difficult to see water damage like this. If you suspect
window well leakage, don’t assume no damage is good
news. Try to make a note to head to your basement during
the next heavy rain to see if you can catch leaks as they’re
happening.
5.2 Solutions for Waterproofing Window Wells
Install a Drain
Replace the Gravel
Cover the Window Well
Replacing Basement Windows(EverDry Toledo, 2018)
6.0 How safe is your Oven Door? Exploding Oven door glass is more
common than you think!
6.1 What is tempered glass?
The glass on your oven door is tempered. Tempered glass by
definition according to the National Glass Association (NGA) ―A strong
break-resistant type of safety glass that, if broken, shatters into
small granular pieces. Glass heat-treated to withstand greater than
normal forces on its surface‖ Uhh..sure, that explains a lot!? How
about – Tempered glass is manufactured using high heat and a
rapid cool down making it four to five times stronger than normal
glass. When tempered glass breaks it is designed to ―explode‖ into
small oval shaped pebbles or pieces instead of shards. Tempered
glass can withstand high heat and heavy loads but can also be very
brittle especially around the edges and when subjected to blunt
force from something with a point.(BondCleaninginPerth, 2012)
6.2 What causes tempered glass to break?
The glass on your oven door is tempered. Tempered glass by
definition according to the National Glass Association (NGA) ―A strong
break-resistant type of safety glass that, if broken, shatters into
small granular pieces. Glass heat-treated to withstand greater than
normal forces on its surface‖ Uhh..sure, that explains a lot!? How
about – Tempered glass is manufactured using high heat and a
rapid cool down making it four to five times stronger than normal
glass. When tempered glass breaks it is designed to ―explode‖ into

small oval shaped pebbles or pieces instead of shards. Tempered
glass can withstand high heat and heavy loads but can also be very
brittle especially around the edges and when subjected to blunt
force from something with a point.
6.3 What are the manufacturer’s doing about this?
The typical universal statement will be ―We take consumer safety
serious‖; yadda-yadda but what are you doing about it? Other than
―looking into the matter‖ and in a few cases replacing the glass for
free, they are basically doing nothing about it. Why? Because there
isn’t anything they can do about it; they have no control over the
glass making process nor can they guarantee the glass won’t ever
break.
Figure 7
Check your owner’s manual Care and Use guide. The
manufacturers have included a statement essentially stating the
glass would be replaced if damaged within the first year of
installation but after that it would be considered customer failure
and abuse and all costs to replace the glass would fall upon the
owner.
6.4 How can you prevent glass breakage?
You can’t fix what you can’t see right? While there are may not be
anything you can do due to the unforeseen stress fractures in the
glass, you can help prevent creating new fractures or help prevent
the existing fractures from expanding by:
Don’t slam or let the oven door slam closed

Make sure the racks are fully pushed in before closing the
door
Don’t drop hard or sharp objects on the door when its open
(I know, stupid comment)
If the edges of the glass are exposed on the outside of the
door make sure you protect them from pots and pans or hard
objects.
Don’t drip cold liquids onto the glass when it’s hot.
Don’t use your self-clean feature (Yes, I said it!)
The self clean mode heats the oven upwards of 900 to 1200
degrees (glass is tempered at roughly 720 degrees) The high heat of
the self clean mode may affect the structure of the glass over time
if you use your self clean mode frequently.
Nobody intends to accidentally drop anything on their oven door or
hit it with a sharp object but know that if you do, you might not
cause or see any damage today but one day your glass may explode
for no apparent reason and you can look back and wonder.
6.5 What to do if your oven door glass explodes
Take pictures of the damage and surrounding area
Call the manufacturer and file a complaint
File a complaint with the Consumer Product Safety Commission
If your oven warranty has expired, be prepared to pay for the
replacement yourself.
Thoroughly vacuum and deep clean your oven by hand. Do
not use the self clean mode with the glass missing! There
may be chunks of glass in between the door and cabinet
frame, glass dust and small particulates inside the convection
fan cover or coating the upper heating element. You want to
make sure no glass residue gets into your food.(Mike
Wainwright, 2013)

7.0 Conclusion
Keeping a home clean and tidy can be a challenging task to stay on top
of—especially with a busy schedule. Although, as experts in the industry,
we know how keeping an organized home can do wonders for your
family’s health and productivity.
The Home Maintenance Checklist recently published on
GetNeighborly.com includes routine deep cleaning as an important
seasonal home maintenance task. Neighborly is a network of locally owned
home service professionals offering personal and trustworthy advice and
service. The checklist recommends routine deep cleaning at least once a
year, and more frequently in high traffic areas. If you’re looking for
routine or deep cleaning assistance, Neighborly suggests calling your
local Molly Maid for a free estimate.

References
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Retrieved May 29, 2018, from https://www.angieslist.com/articles/whyclean-refrigerator-condenser-coils.htm
EverDry Toledo. (2018). Waterproofing Window Wells | EverDry Toledo | OH
& MI. Retrieved May 29, 2018, from
https://www.everdrytoledo.com/blog/waterproofing-window-wells/
GOOD PRACTICE IN HOUSING MANAGEMENT REPAIR A N D
MAINTENANCE O F DWELLINGS. (2000). Housingagency. Retrieved
from https://www.housingagency.ie/Our-Publications/Archive/Housing-
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BondCleaninginPerth. (2012). Top 8 Vacate Cleaning Tips for Your Property -
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Services QUALITY CONVENIENCE SERVICE REPUTATION The
Importance of Proper Home Maintenance. Hebinc.Com, 1(3). Retrieved
from http://www.hebinc.com/news/archive/HEBnewsletter-2006-08.pdf
Mike Wainwright. (2013). Exploding oven door glass is common, How safe is
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http://prestigegrillcleaning.com/how-safe-is-your-oven-door/
Organisemehouse. (2012). House Maintenance - 6 important reasons why you
need to prioritise it. Retrieved May 29, 2018, from
https://organisemyhouse.com/house-maintenance/
Ray White News. (2012). The Importance of Home Maintenance. Retrieved
May 29, 2018, from https://www.raywhite.com/the-importance-of-homemaintenance/
Shawn Chesney. (2016). Clean Window Weep Holes or Invite Rainwater Into
Your House | Shawn Chesney Home Inspections. Retrieved May 29, 2018,
from http://www.schi.ca/clean-window-weep-holes-or-invite-rainwaterinto-your-house/
Smart Homeowner. (2014). 10 Vital Home Maintenance Tasks You’ll Regret If
You Forget | Family Handyman. Retrieved May 29, 2018, from
https://www.familyhandyman.com/smart-homeowner/vital-homemaintenance-tasks-youll-regret-if-you-forget/view-all/
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Retrieved May 29, 2018, from http://www.windowellexpressions.com/howto-clean-out-your-window-well/