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Home Maintenance Checklist

Regular maintenance is key when it comes to protecting your investment and preserving home equity. Use the following Home Maintenance Checklist as a guideline to keep your home in tip-top shape for years to come!

Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist

☑ Check that fire extinguisher(s) are fully charged. Re-charge if necessary.
☑ Replace your HVAC filters.
☑ Inspect and clean humidifiers and electronic air cleaners if present on HVAC systems.
☑ Clean gutters and downspouts. Ensure that downspouts are secure and that the discharge location is moving water away from your home foundation. Remove debris from window wells.
☑ Carefully inspect the condition of shower and tub enclosures. Repair or replace deteriorated grout and caulk. Ensure that water is not escaping the enclosure when the shower is in operation.
☑ Check below all plumbing fixtures for evidence of leakage.
☑ Repair or replace leaking faucets or shower heads.
☑ Secure loose toilets and repair flush mechanisms if they become troublesome.

Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist

☑ Examine the roof for evidence of damage to roof coverings, flashings, and chimneys.
☑ Look in the attic (if accessible) to ensure that roof vents are not obstructed. Check for evidence of leakage, condensation, or vermin activity. Level out insulation if needed.
☑ Trim back tree branches and shrubs to ensure that they are not in contact with the house.
☑ Inspect the exterior walls and foundation for evidence of damage, cracking, or movement. If you notice signs of foundation settling, contact a Licensed Professional Engineer for an unbiased structural foundation evaluation.
☑ Watch for bird nests or other vermin or insect activity.
☑ Survey the basement and/or crawl space walls for evidence of moisture seepage.
☑ Perform a visual inspection of overhead wires that lead to your house. All wires should be secured and clear of trees and other obstructions.
☑ Ensure that the grade of the land around the house encourages water to flow away from the foundation.
☑ Inspect all driveways, walkways, decks, porches, and landscape components for evidence of deterioration, movement, or safety hazards.
☑ Clean windows and test their operation. Improve caulking and weather-stripping as necessary. Watch for evidence of rot in wood window frames. Paint and repair window sills and frames as necessary.
☑ Test all ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) devices, as identified in the home inspection report.
☑ Test the Temperature and Pressure Relief (TPR) Valve on water heaters.
☑Inspect for evidence of wood boring insect activity. Eliminate any wood/soil contact around the perimeter of the home.
☑ Test the overhead garage door opener, to ensure that the auto-reverse mechanism is responding properly. Clean and lubricate hinges, rollers, and tracks on overhead doors.
☑ Replace or clean exhaust hood filters.
☑ Clean, inspect, and service all appliances as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
☑ The furnace unit should be inspected, cleaned, and serviced in the fall and the HVAC system should be inspected, cleaned, and serviced in the spring.

Annual Home Maintenance Checklist

☑ Replace smoke detector batteries.
☑ The water heater systems should be flushed once per year. This will remove any build up in the unit and help to extend the life of the unit.
☑ Have chimneys inspected and cleaned. Ensure that rain caps and vermin screens are secure.
☑ Examine the electrical panels, wiring, and electrical components for evidence of overheating.
☑ Ensure that all components are secure. Flip the breakers on and off to ensure that they are not loose or failing.
☑ If the property has a standard septic system, have the tank inspected (and pumped as needed).

Termite Inspection Dallas TX

☑ If your home is in an area prone to wood-destroying insects (termites, carpenter ants, etc.), have the home inspected by a licensed termite inspector. Preventative treatments may be recommended in some cases.
☑ Walk the perimeter of your home and seal any openings around doors, windows, wall penetrations of other openings. Be sure that you do not seal weep holes found in the base line of the brick in most slab homes.

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned homeowner, follow these guidelines to maintain a beautiful and safe home for years to come. For more guidance, check out our article on 12 Things To Do Immediately After Buying a New Home  and Tips on Maintaining Your Home Foundation.

TEC Inspection Services provides fast, accurate, and reliable home inspections, structural evaluations, and foundation inspections in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. If you are buying, selling, or maintaining a home – we are here to help!

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12 Things To Do Immediately After Buying A Home

Congratulations on purchasing a new home! You probably have a huge to-do list already, but don’t forget to tackle these maintenance and safety items upon taking possession of your new house.

12 Things To Do Immediately After Buying a New Home

Upon taking ownership of your new home…

  1. Change the locks on all exterior entrances for improved security.
  2. Inspect all windows and doors for proper function and make repairs if needed. It may be necessary to improve window hardware and/or add security rods to sliding windows and doors.
  3. For peace of mind and added protection, consider installing a new security system or activating an existing version.
  4. Make sure that there are smoke detectors on each level of the home. Ideally, there should be a smoke detector in each bedroom and outside all sleeping areas. Test each smoke detector and replace batteries as needed.
  5. Check the home for carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in each bedroom and in living areas equipped with a gas-assisted fireplace.
  6. Create a fire safety plan for your new home. Start by ensuring each bedroom and living space has an operable window and/or door.  Consider purchasing an egress ladder to store upstairs. Place fire extinguishers in the kitchen and garage. Talk to your family about your fire safety plan. Consult with your local fire department regarding fire safety issues and ask for suggestions on what to do in the event of a fire.
  7. As you get to know your new home, examine driveways and walkways for trip hazards. Undertake repairs where necessary.
  8. Examine the interior of the home for trip hazards such as loose carpeting or uneven flooring. Make repairs right away to help avoid future accidents.
  9. Check stairways, decks, porches, and landings for stability. If you notice any potential safety hazards, hire a professional to make repairs.
  10. Review your home inspection report for items requiring immediate improvement or further investigation. Address these areas as required.
  11. Install rain caps and vermin screens on all chimney flues, as necessary.
  12. Familiarize yourself with the location of the main shut-offs for plumbing, heating, and electrical systems. (If you attended the home inspection, these items should have been pointed out).

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or buying your second or third house, it’s important to do these 12 steps immediately after taking possession of your new home. For more guidance, check out our Home Maintenance Checklist and Home Inspection Checklist.

TEC Inspection Services and Thomas Engineering Consultants provides fast, accurate, and reliable home inspections, structural evaluations, and foundation inspections in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. If you are buying, selling, or maintaining a home – we are here to help!

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Help, Metal Rod Sticking out of Foundation!

Metal Rod Sticking out of Foundation

The Trials and Tribulations of a Millennial Homeowner

It is no secret that homeownership comes with a learning curve. In fact, when my husband and I moved into our first home we were CLUELESS. Shortly after moving in, the heater suddenly stopped working. It was freezing that day(45 degrees is freezing to southerners), so I quickly called the HVAC repairman. An older man arrived at our house, took a few minutes to look at the system and said, “Ma’am, the heater isn’t working because your gas is shut off.” Amidst the chaos of moving, my husband had forgotten to transfer the bill into our name. As I mentioned before, we were CLUELESS. To make a long(and slightly embarrassing) story short, I learned the first of many lessons in homeownership; HVAC systems often use gas for heating.

Surprised by my lack of knowledge, my new friend/repairman had a true “dad-moment.” He stopped dead in his tracks and gave me a tutorial on how to operate various appliances, light the pilot lights, etc. Wow, talk about going above and beyond!!

Getting Back on Topic

As homeowners, we have to help each other out and share tips when we stumble upon them. You probably already knew that the HVAC uses gas to produce heat, so I can’t help you there. However, I do happen to know a few things about foundation settling in the Dallas – Fort Worth metroplex. In honor of paying it forward, I would like to share a few words of wisdom that a  wise engineer shared with me when I saw a metal rod sticking out of my foundation…

“If you notice a metal rod sticking out of your concrete slab, that doesn’t mean that you have foundation problems.”

During the construction of a slab on grade foundation, metal cables known as rebar are arranged throughout the slab (per the direction of the engineer). Then, a machine is used to apply calculated stress to each rod. After tensioning, every rod is trimmed and anchored to the slab edge. Finally, the pocket where the anchors are located is filled with cement. This magical process is why your slab can withstand so much weight!

Visible plugs are common in Dallas Fort Worth concrete slab foundations.

Many homes in Dallas – Fort Worth have noticeable patches where the post-tensioned cables have been sealed. In order to protect the post-tensioned cables from weathering and erosion, builders fill in the space surrounding the rods and seal each cable end. It is common for patches to be visible in the end product. The image above shows a typical concrete slab in Dallas – Fort Worth, Texas. In this case, there is no cause for concern but the homeowner should monitor the rods to ensure that they do not protrude any further.

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Home Inspection Checklist: 10 Ways to Prepare

Home Inspector | Dallas Fort Worth Arlington Mansfield 

There are several challenges that a Home Inspector must overcome to keep the home inspection process running as smoothly as possible. If you are a homeowner or a realtor in the selling process, there are a few things you can do to help your listing shine during a home inspection. We interviewed a TEC Licensed Professional Home Inspector, and he gave us this Home Inspection Checklist, 10 Ways to Prepare:

Home Inspection Checklist – 10 Ways to Prepare

1. Don’t assume that the utilities are still on.

Confirm that the water, electrical and gas services (including pilot lights) will be on during the inspection so the home inspector can determine if the dishwasher, hot water heater, stove, electrical components, etc. are functioning properly.

2. Make sure your pets won’t hinder the inspection.

I love dogs! Unfortunately, they don’t always welcome me. Please remember to alert the inspector if animals will be present during the appointment. It is best to remove them from the premises to speed things along.

3. Check your light bulbs.

I can’t tell you how many homeowners forget to replace old light bulbs with new ones before an inspection. Take the time to replace any burned-out bulbs (prior to your appointment) to avoid a “light is inoperable” comment on the home inspection report.

4. Replace dead batteries.

Don’t forget to replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors too! A home inspector will do a walk-through of your home and test these items. Any detectors with a missing or low battery will be listed in the report as a deficiency. It might not seem like a big deal, preparing ahead of time can help keep your home inspection report short and sweet.

Dirty or missing filters lead buyers to believe that the HVAC unit has not been properly maintained.

5. Check your filters.

Avoid an embarrassing reveal of filthy HVAC filters in front of a prospective buyer by checking them beforehand. When filters clog, they prevent proper airflow through the vents. Ill-fitting or dirty filters can cause the HVAC system to malfunction and will be noted in a report.

6. Clear debris away from the foundation.

Woodpiles, fallen branches, etc. create an ideal habitat for pests. To avoid a comment on “conducive conditions” for termites in your home inspection, clear a path before your inspector arrives.

7. Remove clutter.

Do a quick scan of the property and ensure that nothing is blocking access to major appliances, the HVAC equipment, all electrical service panels, hot water heaters, and attic entries.

8. Find your keys.

Make sure that you have copies of keys for sheds, attic doors, electric service panels, garages, exterior gates and any other locked areas that the inspector will need to access.

Per TREC standards, all tree limbs within 10 feet of the home must be noted in the inspector’s report.

9. Trim your branches.

Tree limbs should be at least ten feet away from your home’s roof. An inspector will make a note of any offending branches in his report.

10. Tackle small repairs in advance.

If your property has missing doorknobs, locks, latches, window panes, screens, gutters, downspouts, chimney caps, etc., it is best to fix those prior to listing your home. A Licensed Professional Home Inspector is required to note all of the above in the home inspection report.

Selling your home can be an emotional and arduous process. By preparing your listing with this home inspection checklist, you will set the pace for a hassle-free closing. Happy selling!

To schedule a home inspection in Dallas, Fort Worth, or surrounding areas, contact TEC today.

Schedule an Inspection
Enter the full address of the home to be inspected.
Numbers only, please. Ex:8175761973
Include any additional info such as square footage, foundation type, option period ending, etc. You may also include your preferred time and date.

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Are Sticking Doors a Sign of Foundation Problems?

It’s a beautiful day in Texas. The birds are chirping and the kids are happily playing in the yard. You spontaneously decide to open the windows and invite in the fresh air. There is only one problem; the window is stuck. In fact, several windows throughout the house refuse to open properly. Then, you notice a crack extending from the corner of the window frame up to the crown molding. Panic sets in.

You begin to ask yourself…

Does this house have foundation problems?

Will I lose the money I invested?

How will I afford to send the kids to college?

What about my retirement?

Maybe that is a tad overdramatic, but we get it! We’ve all heard the horror stories about homes needing $100,000 worth of foundation repair. The good news is that extreme cases like that are rare. However, when it comes to foundation problems, early detection is the key to maintaining your sanity (and home equity).

Sticking Doors, Jammed Windows, and Cracks – Signs of Foundation Problems?

All the above indicate foundation settling, but only a licensed Professional Engineer can determine if there is cause for alarm. Keep in mind that foundation damage is very common in Texas due to the presence of expansive soil.

Dallas is home to Texas Blackland Prairie soils. The clay soils in this region have high shrink-swell properties that require special design accommodations to ensure proper structural integrity.

Structural or Non-Structural?

Concrete slabs such as patios, sidewalks, and garage floors are often the first structures to show signs of foundation settling. So how can you tell if a crack is structural or cosmetic? One of the typical signs of a non-structural defect is that the crack is very thin or narrow, almost hairline. There is also no noticeable broken or dislocated masonry surrounding the crack.

On the other hand, cracks that may indicate structural failure tend to be wide. They often appear in a stair-step pattern and lead to displaced or crumbling masonry. When the concrete or masonry is disturbed, areas nearby begin to shift into the void space. For example, when doors and windows go out of alignment, it is usually the result of shifting exterior walls.

Look closely, your foundation may be trying to tell you something.

Unlevel pavement is a common sign that the soil beneath the concrete is settling.

Notice the frieze board separating from your brick? You may need a foundation inspection.

Detective Work

In the Dallas – Fort Worth metroplex, precipitation levels are generally low so you can rule out the probability of wood bloat causing windows to stick. However, it is highly likely that your home is constructed on expansive clay soil.

Expansive Clay Soil

The hot Texas sun scorches the soil during the summer months, robbing its moisture and causing the clay to shrink. When the clay soil retracts, the foundation moves as well. When moisture levels increase in the winter, the clay swells and the foundation lifts. This kind of back and forth movement stresses the concrete slab and often leads to cracking.

Homeowners tend to notice the most extreme signs of foundation settling during periods of excessive dryness or after a heavy rainfall. 

If you have a combination of sticking doors, wide cracks and displaced masonry, then it’s time to call in the professionals who can best help you deal with your foundation problems.

Schedule a foundation evaluation today at 817-576-1973

Testimonial: Not Every Foundation Needs a Repair

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