Many of our customers ask us how to prepare for a trouble-free 2017 – there is so much that can go wrong with your home over the course of a year! The team at Butler Plumbing wants to help you minimize these mishaps as much as possible! While we can’t promise anything, there are a few steps that you can take to help make sure that 2017 is your home’s best year yet!
So, what can YOU do to make 2017 a trouble-free year? Here is a list of helpful tips to help you and your home be prepared for whatever 2017 throws at it! Here’s how to prepare for a trouble-free 2017
People forget entirely about their furnace filters. Often, people will only change their furnace filters when a technician comes to service their unit. Sometimes, these visits can be years apart! A clean filter prevents dust and other debris from being sucked in by the blower fan, but if it’s severely blocked you are at risk to damage your furnace. So, don’t forget to change your furnace filter!
A filter should be changed every few months. If you can still see light through the filter with minimal signs of dust, it is still working. On the other hand, if it’s clouded out with dust you’ll need to replace it sooner rather than later.
Part of keeping any dryer performing efficiently is to check and clean out the built-in lint filter. A stuffed-up filter prevents hot air from leaving the dryer, thus affecting its overall performance. If you must extend your drying time to completely dry those towels, it could be because your filter is clogged. More importantly, a clean lint filter can also extend the life of your dryer (which is something we all want)!
Simply disconnect the dryer exhaust from the machine and use your household vacuum cleaner to clear it out. While it is important to check your dryer’s, lint filter every single time that you use the dryer, you only have to vacuum out the exhaust tube about four times a year.
Your home or building has several air intake areas which allow for airflow too freely throughout the structure. Each intake is equipped with a mesh screen that allows air to flow while keeping out any debris that might try to come through. If these screens aren’t properly taken care of they can easily become blocked, preventing fresh air from coming into your home or building.
You can clean leaves, lint, and other debris in minutes using a brush and/or a vacuum. Keep an eye out for any tears or breakages in the mesh screens. A broken mesh screen will allow larger particles to pass through your intake pipes, potentially creating problems down the line.
Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless and can lead to serious, even fatal consequences if you’re exposed to its fumes. Proactively inspecting your CO detector will ensure you’re protected should you find yourself dealing with a leak.
We typically like to test your carbon monoxide detector twice a year, but we recommend that you perform a couple inspections on your own as well.
Instructions on how to check and test your carbon monoxide detector can be found in the manufacturer’s guide. It’s also worth noting that these alarms have a limited lifetime, so you’ll want to make sure you know its expiration date well before the time arrives.
Most shut-off valves are located where the water line enters the house. This could either be at the front or rear of your house, usually in the mechanical room of your basement.
Once you have located the valve, label it for future emergencies. You want to let all your family members and potential house-sitters to be aware of your valve’s location. Being able to quickly shut off access to your home’s water can save you lots of money in home restoration costs.