Healthy Home, Happy Homeowner: A Punch List from a Pro
Kristan Dael
50plus Magazine
The following tips from general contractor JohnHenry Bootzin will help you keep your home shipshape over the years. The key? Maintenance and preservation.
Start at the top
Moss. The #1 preventive in roof care, says Bootzin, is minimizing moss. Left to grow, it pushes up the shingles.
Once you see moss, treat it — yourself or by a professional. Bootzin says simple baking soda, available in bulk at some grocers, is an inexpensive solution. Baking soda alters the PH balance, discouraging moss growth.
Gutters and downspouts. Clean 3-4 times a year, especially when big trees are near. Many shed continually before losing their leaves. Pine trees shed a surprising amount of needles throughout the year. With downspouts, water should drain away from the house to prevent water damage and rot.
Decks and patios. Baking soda wins again! To clear slippery decks, patios and sidewalks, fill a shaker and spread over surfaces. It’s safe for dogs, kids, the environment, and it’s inexpensive.
Also important for decks: watch for leaves between the boards. They retain moisture, preventing them from completely drying. “That’s what rots a lot of decks,” Bootzin says. “Get a blower and get the debris out.”
Ground level. Soil, bark and mulch should slope away from the house to keep water moving away from the house.
Siding. If paint if chipping or peeling, water will get into and under the siding. If you spot deterioration, it’s time to consider painting to protect the siding.
The last item before moving inside the house?
Trees. Keep those near the house trimmed so branches aren’t hanging over, contacting (rubbing against) or shedding on the roof or into gutters.
What about Windows. Caulk is key. If it starts to crack, water will get in. Also, keep sills painted. Once sills start to crack, moisture is absorbed which can lead to rot.
Kitchen and Bath. Water continues to be a threat. One very simple thing that Bootzin says is often missed: “Keep the floor dry!” Water outside/around the tub or shower will eventually cause erosion and rot.
Make sure caulking around faucets and sinks is in good condition. As caulking ages, water can get underneath, rotting the undersurface. Be sure to check around the bath drain. Cracked or missing grout will allow water to seep underneath, again causing wood rot. This can often be easily fixed by patching with calk.
The #1 thing to watch for in the kitchen as well as the bath? Broken tiles and aged grout. In the case of broken tiles, replace the bottom and first row to prevent water retention. With grout, minor cracks or wear can be caulked and not require total regrouting. Just be mindful, says Bootzin: small cracks or gaps in grout can allow a surprising amount of water to seep under the tile.
The Little Big Things. The simplest maintenance tasks are still easily missed. Two especially important says Bootzin: replace or clean furnace filters once or twice a year. Check the filter every few months — if it appears dirty or dingy, best to clean (if washable) or replace (if disposable).
Another little thing that’s truly a biggie: clean your dryer duct. Clearing the removable filter after every load is important, but even when it’s clean, lint builds up in the duct, which can eventually become a fire hazard. Also, lint in the duct absorbs moisture with each drying cycle so the machine is not only working to dry your clothes, but also lint in the duct, taking more time and using more energy.
Weatherization. Speaking of saving energy, check the seals around and under doors. If you can see daylight coming through, heat is getting out and cold is getting in. If daylight is visible, weatherstrip that door.
A final oft-missed step to support energy efficiency: when not in use, make sure the damper on your fireplace or woodstove is closed. An open damper is like an open window, letting heat out and cold in.
There’s your punch list! Need help? Check outlets like nextdoor.com, Angie’s List, and this magazine. Always ask for references and proof of license and bonding.
JohnHenry Bootzin is General Contractor and owner John Bootzin Construction Co. CCB 231780. Reach him at ask4diyhelp@gmail.com or 503-719-2804.