Your Home Maintenance Partner
There’s nothing wrong with the standard IKEA TV stand, but what if you could transform it into something so much more beautiful?
It is best to clear any bits of food from plates and pans before placing them in the dishwasher, but undoubtedly there will be some pieces that sneaks by. Luckily the dishwasher filter has your back! It catches any food debris that is cleaned off the dishes. The question is do you have the dishwasher filter’s back?
Once a month take a couple minutes (literally) to pull out the filter and give it a good washing. A little soap and water goes a long way here. The only caveat is to be sure you don’t poke a hole in the soft mesh part of the filter.
In order to remove the filter you can take a look at the dishwasher manual or simply inspect the inside. It should be pretty easy to pull or unscrew out.
If you’d like to learn more, check out the dishwasher maintenance page.
The cooling temperatures and falling leaves serve as a great reminder that it is time to take a look at the fall home maintenance checklist.
Chimney Sweep and Fireplace Inspection – Prevent a chimney fire by getting a professional to sweep the flue clean of creosote, especially if you have a wood-burning fireplace. Also, be sure to get a thorough inspection to find weak points in the masonry.
Window Caulking and Door Weatherstripping – Keep the warm air in and the cold air out by sealing up the envelope of your house.
Winterize Water Systems – The freezing temperatures can spell serious trouble for sprinkler systems, faucets, and pools. Empty all water from these systems if you are in a cold climate and be vigilant of the forecast for areas that occasionally see freezing temps. For example, empty the pressure vacuum breaker on the sprinkler system for winter if you live in the south. It only takes a minute and can save you a lot of heartache.
Filter Replacement – Replacing your filter is something that should be done as a part of regular monthly home maintenance, but at a very minimum new filters should be put in place every 3-4 month.
Furnace Maintenance – This task is best left for a professional but savvy DIY’ers can handle some of the workload. Either way, this is a must before the heating season!
Gutter Cleaning – Cleaning the gutters of leaves and sticks is more than just keeping the roof looking nice. During the winter leaves can hold up water from melting snow that will eventually refreeze and cause damage. This effect is known as ice dams and will lead to a leaky roof.
Water Heater Maintenance – A couple times of year it is good to drain mineral sediment that can build up in the tank of the water heater. It’s a pretty simple process and doesn’t take much time. Also, it is good to inspect the flue, insulation, and TPR valve to prevent problems later.
Cleaning has to be done but who has the time? It is tough to stay on top of cleaning schedule and tasks just pile up once you’ve fallen behind. Well, fret not. This list has cleaning tricks for the whole house that will save you tons of time, effort, and even money.
