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| Maintenance Tips |  | | Dunmoor Homes provides these maintenance tips to assist you in maintaining your home.
Carpet
The most important step in caring for your carpet is vacuuming. Vacuum thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high-traffic areas. Walking on soiled carpet permits the soil particles to work their way below the surface of the pile where they are far more difficult to remove and can damage the fibers. Frequent vacuuming removes these particles from the surface before this happens.
Ceramic Floor Tile
Proper maintenance is the key to a trouble free ceramic tile floor. You should damp mop flooring at least one time per week and more often for heavy traffic areas. A mixture of 1/4 cup of white wine vinegar to 2 gallons of clean tap water can be used. Never use a detergent or soap because it can dull the surface or promote the growth of mildew.
Also, use protective mats. Good quality entry and exit mats will help protect your ceramic tile from premature wear. They trap dirt, sand, grit and other substances such as oil or asphalt that would otherwise be tracked onto your floor.
Electronic Equipment
Surge arresters can help protect against power surges and should be used in conjunction with plug-in type surge protectors located at the electrical outlet.
Surge suppressors provide limited protection for individual equipment only and are not designed to safeguard your home's wiring or electrical panel.
Whole house surge protectors can create a blanket of surge protection throughout your home, for electrical, cable and phone systems.
Garage Door
To keep the surface of your pre-finished steel garage door, simply follow these steps annually. Remove dirt, chalk and mildew by the use of a diluted solution of common bleach or mild detergent at a concentration of 1 cup in 5 gallons of warm water. Never mix cleansers and bleach. Rinse with clear water after washing and allow to dry completely.
For added protection of a pre-finished steel door, apply wax suitable for automotive use. You can wipe the inner surface clean like you would a range or refrigerator.
A garage door is the largest moving part of your home. It is often operated by an electric door opener. Proper installation, operation, maintenance is necessary to provide safe, trouble free operation. Lubrication is recommended on a yearly basis for pulleys, rollers, hinges and springs.
Care should be taken when lubricating springs as they are under high tension. When applying lubricant, avoid any contact with the spring. Visually inspect springs and cable for wear and binding once each year and contact a professional garage door repairman if damage is suspected.
Garbage Disposal
Over time, food particles may accumulate in the garbage disposal grind chamber and baffle. An odor from the disposer is usually a sign of grease and food buildup, caused by insufficient water flow during and after disposer use.
To clean the disposer, turn it off and disconnect the power supply. Reach through the sink opening and clean the underside of the splash baffle and inside upper lip of the grind chamber with a scouring pad.
Place the stopper in the sink opening and fill the sink halfway with warm water. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with water. Turn the disposer on and remove the stopper from the sink.
Gutters
Your gutters are designed to prevent rainwater from deteriorating your home, so keeping gutters clean is essential for them to do their job. The following easy steps will help you get the debris removed from your gutters.
You will need some form of a scoop to remove gunk from the gutters. A small gardener’s spade will work or you can make a scoop from a plastic bottle or half gallon milk carton by cutting off the top half of the container. A ladder is also necessary in order to reach the gutters. Wear gloves to protect your hands from any sharp debris and to provide extra grip on the ladder.
Start by removing by hand the debris in the gutters with your scoop or shovel. A trash can placed by your ladder will allow you to easily dump the debris below you. When you move your ladder move the trash can with it.
After the gutter is clean, spray it down with a water hose to wash out any left over debris. You may have to insert the hose into the downspout if it is clogged up. If the pressure from the water hose is not enough to remove the clog, use a plumbers snake to push the clog through the downspout.
Check your gutters several times a year and clean them whenever you notice an excessive buildup of debris.
Hardwood Floors
With proper maintenance, hardwoods will add warmth and beauty to your home for many years to come. Use a damp cloth to blot spills and spots as soon as they happen.
For tough spots, such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, tar or cigarette marks, use acetone nail polish remover on a clean white cloth, then wipe with a damp cloth.
Always avoid allowing liquids to stand on your floor. Sweep, dust and or vacuum the floor regularly with the hard floor attachment (never a beater bar) to prevent accumulation of dirt or grit that can scratch or dull the floor finish. Occasionally wipe the floor with a damp mop or cloth.
Laminate Countertop
When cleaning the surface, use a damp cloth or sponge and a mild soap or detergent. Difficult stains such as coffee or tea can be removed using a mild household cleaner and a soft bristle brush, repeating as necessary.
If a stain persists use a paste of baking soda and water and apply with a soft bristled brush. Light scrubbing for 10 to 20 strokes should remove most stains. Although baking soda is a low abrasive, excessive scrubbing or exerting too much force could damage the decorative surface, especially if it has a gloss finish.
Never place pots or dishes directly from the oven or burner on an unprotected laminate surface; such extreme heat can cause cracking or blistering.
Laminate Floor
Although laminate flooring is designed to stand up to the toughest household conditions, a little extra effort can keep it looking its very best. Remove loose dirt by using a non-beater vacuum or a dust mop.
With a damp mop or cloth, clean your laminate flooring once a week with a mixture of 1/4 cup of vinegar to 2 gallons of clean tap water. A non-abrasive household cleaner, such as ammonia and water solution may also be used.
Do not saturate the flooring. Do not use abrasive cleaners, steel wool, soap based detergents, waxes, polishes, or scouring powder because they may scratch or dull the flooring surface. For tough spots, such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape the spot with a plastic scraper or credit card. Never use a buffing machine on laminate flooring.
Lawn
Taking good care of you lawn is a relatively simple matter. A good routine and some basic knowledge can keep your lawn healthy and green.
Watering- The rule of thumb is to give your lawn one inch of water per week. An easy way to judge how long it takes your sprinkler system to spray one inch is to place an empty tuna can in your yard. When the can is full, one inch of water has been distributed.
Remember that in the summer you might have to increase your watering to compensate for the increased evaporation due to heat. However, keep in mind that watering your lawn too much can damage the grass because the excess moisture is not allowing air to get to the roots.
Mowing- Consider setting your mower's blade to medium or high until you see how the mower is cutting the grass, at which point you can lower the setting to where you want it. Having the blade too low can scalp the grass, creating patchy spots in your yard.
Also, create a 'navigation plan' through your yard to help you get through any tricky obstacles while also saving you both time and effort.
Fertilizing and Mulching– Fertilizing and mulching are not always necessary, but it can certainly help to keep your lawn healthy.
If you choose to fertilize your lawn it is recommended that you use a fertilizer that has a Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium (N-P-K) ratio of 3:1:2. Be sure to follow all directions on the fertilizer bag and do not over-fertilize your lawn as this will 'burn' the grass, making it yellow in color and possibly even killing it.
Lower Energy Bills
It doesn't take much to lower your annual utility bills. A few small adjustments to your household routines can save money in the long run.
Approximately 11% of the average household electric bill is due to the use of lighting. Be sure to always turn off lights when you are not using a room. Consider switching from standard incandescent bulbs to the more energy efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). These bulbs are 4 times as efficient, last 4 to 10 times longer, and put out the same amount of light as standard bulbs.
During colder monthsopen your shades or curtains, particularly the south facing ones, during the day and close them at night. This will allow the solar energy to warm your home. Likewise in warmer climates or during the summer months, keep your curtains and shades closed during the day to help keep your home cooler.
When cooling your home in the summer, consider setting their thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. For every degree you raise your thermostat setting, you will reduce cooling cost by 7 to 10 percent. The opposite is true for every degree you lower your thermostat. Since approximately 45% of your energy bill is dedicated to your air conditioning, the savings can be significant.
Whenever possible always try to do a full load when washing clothes or dishes. To further save energy, it is recommended to use the 'energy saver' setting on your dishwasher.
Prevent Freezing - Plumbing
A frozen pipe can cause extensive and costly damage to your home. When a pipe freezes, the water inside of it turns to ice and expands, putting a large amount of outward pressure on the pipe. This can potentially cause pipes, both metal and plastic, to burst. Because of this common threat, it is essential to take certain precautions prior to the winter season.
Either drain the water from your swimming pool and water sprinkler lines or winterize them by following the manufacturer's or installer's instructions.
Disconnect, drain, and store outdoor water hoses.
Insulate all bibs by covering them with either a pipe sleeve or insulation box that can be found in almost all home improvements stores.
Safety
With the comfort of owning and living in your home comes a great responsibility to keep the home safe for you and your family. It is not difficult to follow a few rules and precautions in order to preserve the safety of your home.
Fire Safety: Regularly test your smoke detectors by pressing the test button on each unit in the home. A loud beep indicates that the unit is operating properly. Also be sure to replace the batteries in all of the smoke detectors in your house every year to ensure that they function properly.
Consider buying a few fire extinguishers for your home and place them where they can be readily accessed in case of an emergency. The most common extinguisher for a household is one with an 'A-B-C' rating. This type of fire extinguisher is able to put out all types of fires including wood, petroleum, and chemical fires. Make sure to keep these extinguishers charged by checking the pressure gauge on top of each unit.
In order to prevent a fire from breaking out, never leave a stove or oven unattended, never overload an electrical socket or extension cord with too many appliances, and always empty the lint filter in your clothes dryer.
Emergency Planning: In the event of any type of an emergency you should develop a prepared plan of action for you and your family. Have the phone numbers for the local police, fire department, poison control center, and EMS written down in a permanent location as well as programmed into your phones' speed dial entries.
Child Safety: It is of extreme importance to 'childproof' your home if you have children, especially if they are infants. Always store dangerous chemicals in a safe location, out of reach of children. In all drawers and cabinets that contain sharp objects, medicines, and cleaning products, install inexpensive safety latches or locks to prevent children from accessing them.
Use safety gates to keep children from falling down stairs and to keep them out of rooms that can be dangerous for them. If you have a pool, never allow children to play in or around it without strict adult supervision.
Gas Safety: If your home is equipped with natural gas, it is very important to make sure a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector is installed. Carbon Monoxide is extremely dangerous and has no odor or taste and cannot be seen by the naked eye. Just as with smoke detectors, test them often and replace their batteries every year.
Whirlpool Tub
To remove accumulations of bath residue from the whirlpool system, it is recommended that a whirlpool bath be purged at least twice a month. Cleaning products are available at most whirlpool bath distributors.
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