Monthly House Inspection Recommendations and House Cleaning Checklist
When you are in the process of buying a house, the initial house inspection is very extensive and covers every aspect of a home that may be in need of a repair. However, it’s important to inspect your home much more frequently than just when it’s time to sell.
Here is a house inspection checklist and house cleaning checklist of often-forgotten tasks to do each month to ensure that your home looks great and is in the best condition possible.
Clean the Kitchen Sink Disposal
Garbage disposals are great for getting rid of leftover food scraps so they don’t smell up your trash can, but they can also become jammed, clogged, and unsanitary without regular maintenance. To keep yours working well, flush it with cold water once per week. Monthly, place ice cubs in the sink and allow the garbage disposal to grind the cubes. Remove the drain baffle and scrub it with a brush, water, and detergent. This house cleaning checklist item can also be done by adding vinegar and baking soda to the grind chamber and then pouring boiling water down the drain.
Clean the Range Hood Filter
Once a month, you should also clean the range hood filter in your kitchen. The task of cleaning the actual range hood is very simple and only requires you to turn off the unit and spray it down with a degreaser or other household cleaning product. Make sure to avoid abrasive cleaners to prevent damage and avoid spraying any electrical parts. You can then clean the range hood filter with water, a half cup of baking soda, and a large stock pot to let the mixture boil with the filter inside.
Inspect Fire Extinguishers
Hopefully you’ll never have to actually use your fire extinguisher in an emergency. But just in case, it is a smart idea to inspect yours on a monthly basis for peace of mind. To conduct this house inspection, confirm the location of all fire extinguishers in the house, check to see that the locking pin is intact, examine the extinguisher for any damage, and see that the pressure gauge is in the operable position. Also take note if the operating instructions are legible and what the date is on the tag.
Check Flushes and Sinks in Unused Spaces
To prevent potential clogs in the future when you least expect them, make a point to check flushes and sinks in unused parts of the home on a monthly basis. In spare bathrooms that are seldom used, basements, and guest areas, test your toilets to make sure they are working properly and that water runs down bathroom sinks without any issue.
Check the Water Softener
Water softeners make the water in your home more usable, yet many homeowners forget about them once they’ve been installed. Each month, check the salt levels in your water softener, visually check the level of the brine tank, and add more salt if needed due to naturally hard water. Every six months or so, it is recommended to check your entire water softener system to look for any rust, holes, or leaks so that any problems can be addressed before they become major issues.
Upon a monthly inspection, if you notice any kitchen or bathroom fixtures are in need of replacement, Central Plumbing Specialties can help. Stop by one of our convenient New York locations to browse products and ask questions!