[scrapple]

Does anybody have a schedule of what needs to be done when and be willing to share? Things are a bit different here than in Colorado! Back there all we had was when to turn on/off the evaporative cooler, irrigation system, when to change filters on the furnace.
Your help and time is so appreciated!
Carol

[chuckinca]

Leave irrigation system on year round turn off for a while after heavy rain - one week.

Change furnace filter as needed. Manufacturers recommend every three months but I usually do ours once a year.

Cut grass every two weeks in summer and once a month in winter.

Set A/C to 82 when not there in summer.

Heat not needed in winter if not there.

[graciegirl]

A frame house should be powerwashed once a year.

[pooh]

Have heating system and air conditioner system checked once a year. I have the heating system checked before it gets cold and the cooling system is checked before it gets hot.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I learned this from my sister re: leaving a house empty for any length of time (if that's part of your agenda) - Do something to seal off any drains/traps (sinks, toilets, tubs/showers, etc.) that go to the sewer system. If you don't, when the water held in the drain traps eventually evaporates, your drains become open pipes to the sewer system. Your house will......shall we say......start to 'not smell real good'!! We've seen people seal off toilet bowls with Saran Wrap and use blue painter's tape over the other drain points.

Bill

[scrapple]

Thank you all so much!
How about cleaning and sealing tiles?
Carol

[NJblue]

You also need to run hot water through your heat pump on a regular basis (but I forgot what "regular" means).

We were also told to use Old English on our fiberglass/stained door.

[Carla B]

Yes, we were also told to run hot water through the condensate drain...I think they said once a year but we do it twice a year. We were surprised at the gunk that comes out.. on the other side. We know it's gunk because my husband puts an old sheet there to "catch" it.

[golfnut]

yes, i believe you should clean and seal tiles.....gn

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

A frame house should be powerwashed once a year.

Stucco once a year; Aluminum siding twice a year.


.

[chuckinca]

Drain Hot Water heater once a year.

Service garage door guides and springs - I spray with silicon every three months. The large horizontal spring has a expected life of about 7 years, depending on use - replace as needed. (Look over the garage door, there are warnings about use and maintenance). When it breaks, the door drops (don't go under the garage door when it is in operation).


.

[golfnut]

chuck, I didn't know they were still using aluminum siding....gn

[faithfulfrank]

Word of caution......
If you have an electric hot water tank, DO NOT drain the water out of it without first shutting off the breakers to the unit. Exposed elements will burn out when not submerged in water. ALWAYS remember to refill completely before turning on the breaker.

Personally, I see no reason in DRAINING a tank. What you can do is a couple of times a year open the drain and let a few gallons of water out....(CAREFUL, it will be HOT)....without turning off any valves. This way any sediment that is built up on the bottom will come out.

This can and should also be done with gas hot water tanks, as sediment that collects on the bottom of the tank will insulate the water from the burner somewhat, causing the burner to stay on longer to heat the water.

Frank

[otherbruddaDarrell]

We just replaced our electric hot water tank that was 17 yrs old and had never been drained...............very very little sediment in the tank.
It still worked great when we decided to replace it with a new one.

[jojo]

Originally Posted by Carla B

Yes, we were also told to run hot water through the condensate drain...I think they said once a year but we do it twice a year. We were surprised at the gunk that comes out.. on the other side. We know it's gunk because my husband puts an old sheet there to "catch" it.

I should know but do not - what/where is the condensate drain?