The Homeowner's Guide To Misc. Home Maintenance

When it comes to maintaining the home, it’s pretty easy to lump together “to-dos” throughout the changing seasons, making them easier to remember and complete. In springtime, when the snow thaws, there are plenty of things to do around the yard to get your lawn and gardens ready to thrive. During the fall, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor tasks to accomplish before the frost hits to get your house ready for ice and snow. 

But there are also those “miscellaneous” maintenance chores that are difficult to categorize. So we lumped those tasks in December’s Home Owner’s Maintenance Guide because December is the end of the year and time to wrap up everything you wanted to accomplish but have not yet gotten to. 

Central Vac

Not every home has a central vac system, but if you do, then it’s important to empty the unit and clean out the filter system. Much like a regular vacuum, the dirt and hair that you pick up have to go somewhere and that somewhere needs to be emptied from time to time. Your central vac will have a dirt canister that should be emptied between 2-4 times a year, depending on how quickly it fills up. If you let the canister build up too much your central vac system won’t be at its peak performance and won’t clean as well as it should. 

The central vac system also has filters that need to be cleaned whenever they get dirty. (Note: some central vac systems only have filters and don’t have the dirt canisters mentioned above. If your central vac is one of these you might need to clean your filters out more regularly). Depending on how often you use your central vac, and how many people and pets live in your house, you might have to clean or replace your filters 2-4 times a year. To clean the filter, wash thoroughly with warm water and mild soap. Let the filter air-dry completely before putting it back into the system. 

Your central vac system has a motor, which can require lubrication or need to have the motor brushes replaced, so when you clean out the filter system, also take a peek at the motor. If you notice anything that looks off, call in a certified professional to take a look and repair the system. 

Check the hose every other month to make sure there are no clogs. If there is a clog, central vac maintenance cloths or even a plumbers snake can usually get rid of the clog. If you can’t get it yourself, it’s best to call in a professional so that you don’t cause any issues to yourself or the central vac. 

Always make sure that you’re not sucking up too large of debris when using the central vac, as that could lead to clogs. Also, sticky substances and liquids are not a good idea to clean up with your central vac. 

Fire Extinguisher

Every household should have a fire extinguisher, so if you do have one, then give yourself a point. If, however, you have never looked at your fire extinguisher and couldn’t say what type it is, then take that point away. 

There are different kinds of fire extinguishers for different kinds of fires. To know what kind you have, check the label. It will either say A, B, or C. Type A is for ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, and cloth. Type B is for flammable liquids, such as cooking oils and gasoline. Type C is for electricity. It also comes with a number rating, which shows its effectiveness. The higher the number, the more effective (and costly) it is. 

They also come in a few different sizes. The 10-pound extinguisher is better for a workshop or garage where the fires might get quite big before you get to them. A smaller 5-pound extinguisher is great for in the kitchen or laundry room where you want something easy to use. 

The smaller 2-pound models are better for a car or RV, but you should also make sure to mount those so that they’re not rolling around as you’re driving. 

Home fire extinguishers also come in rechargeable and disposable. You can tell the difference by looking at the valves. If the valve is metal, then it’s rechargeable. If the valve is plastic, then it’s disposable. Disposable extinguishers will have an expiration date. After that date, they’re useless. Rechargeable ones lose their pressure over time. Once the pressure is gone it’s useless to use and will need to be recharged again. You’ll be able to tell by the test indicator if it still has pressure left. 

Once a year make sure to check your fire extinguishers to see if they’ve expired or need to be refilled. Also, make sure to check that the seals are intact and that the nozzle is clear of any obstruction. 

Septic Tank

If your home works off a septic system, then you should get it professionally inspected every three years. Keep any papers of these routine maintenance calls, as when you sell your home the new buyers might ask to see a record of maintenance. Your septic system should last anywhere between 20 to 25 years if it’s well maintained, so if yours is getting close to that timeline, it’s time to talk to a professional about what your options are. 

With a septic system, you always want to be on the lookout for issues like foul odours, toilets and drains that make gurgling noises or that drain slowly, and soggy ground around the leaching bed (this is where the wastewater exits). These things are signs of something going wrong and you should call in a professional to look at it as soon as possible. 

Every 3 to 5 years, depending on the size of your family and usage, you’ll need to have your septic tank pumped out. Again, it’s a good idea to keep a record of this in case a home buyer asks to see proof of regular maintenance when they look to buy your home.