The Heritage Homes Team chooses construction products, materials, and practices to build the most maintenance free home possible. With that said, every new home, including every Heritage Home, requires maintenance from the very first day. The HERITAGE HOMES SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE SCHEUDLE is intended to help you plan your maintenance. Depending on your specific home, this may not be a complete list. It is important to stay ahead of maintenance. Deferred maintenance can cause bigger problems that are not covered under your warranty. Also, refer to the HERITAGE HOMES MAINTENANCE TIPS section for more specific tips to help make your new home and all its features last longer.
Weekly
Flooring:
- It is important to clean your floors weekly at a minimum. Vaccuming carpets, sweeping dust and dirt, and moping hard surfaces and laminates will help eliminate the build-up of dust and dirt that can dramatically reduce the life of your floors. Dust and dirt can stain or scratch hard surfaces and laminates and break down the fibers in your carpet.
Appliances:
- Keep all appliances clean from lint, grease, and grime. Make sure to keep all moving parts and seals clean. Check your appliance owner’s manuals for specific instructions.
Plumbing:
- Check for running toilets and dripping faucets. It is not abnormal for the plunger in the toilet to catch causing it to run. This, along with dripping faucet, can cause high water bills and septic tanks to fill prematurely.
- Chrome – WD40
Monthly
Heating and Air Conditioning:
- For maximum efficiency and reliability, inspect filters for dirt and debris monthly. In some homes, it may be necessary to change the filter monthly. Never go more than three months without changing the filter.
- Pour a mixture of ½ cup water and ½ cup bleach into the HVAC drain line monthly to prevent the drain line from backing up or the unit from freezing.
Plumbing:
- Check under the kitchen and bathroom sinks monthly for leaks. Even slight drips can cause major problems if not taken care of quickly.
- Check the area around the hot water heater for standing water or leaks.
- Check washing machine supply lines for leaks. Check the washing machine drain line to insure it is secure and properly draining.
- Flush all toilets, specifically toilets that are not used regularly.
Caulking:
- It is important to inspect the caulking and grout around your sinks, tubs, and showers. As your home settles, and depending on use, it is not abnormal for you to have to re-caulk in the first year. Continue to check, and continue to re-caulk as necessary.
- Check your exterior doors and windows for consistent caulking. Re-caulk as necessary to prevent water intrusion. Deferred maintenance of exterior doors is not covered under the warranty. Proper maintenance can prevent large problems.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors:
- Check the operation by pushing the test button. Change the batteries if necessary.
Two Times Per Year
Exterior Doors:
- In addition to checking caulking monthly, check the weather stripping and thresholds two times per year. Make any adjustments necessary.
- Lubricate or oil the locks and hinges if required.
- Inspect for cracked or peeling paint. Repair or repaint as necessary.
Interior Doors:
- Lubricate or oil the hinges if the door is making a noise.
Garage Door:
- Inspect the sensor to make sure it is free of any debris and has not moved.
- Spray springs with WD40 or similar.
Counter tops:
- Re-caulk the backsplash edge if necessary.
Kitchen and Bath Faucets:
- Check all faucets for proper flow of water. If the flow is reduces, aerator screens may need to be cleaned or cartridges replaced. See ********* for instructions. Homes on wells may require more maintenance.
Roof:
- Inspect for damage twice per year or after high winds and strong storms. If you see damage, contact a roofing professional as soon as possible. Damage from wind and storms is not covered under the warranty.
Yearly
Heating and Air Conditioning:
- We recommend that you contact a professional to insect and clean your system yearly. Many companies have maintenance contracts that can be of benefit.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors:
- Change the batteries yearly even if the unit checks OK.
