Expert Advice: 10 Home Maintenance Musts from Handywoman Kheli Mason - Remodelista
Kheli Mason had been studying to become a doctor when her career unexpectedly changed paths. Her mission: to teach people, women homeowners in particular, how to care for their houses. Those who sign up for coaching, either one-on-one, in small groups, or in larger classes, get hands-on experience with typical home-maintenance projects. A front-loading Best Made Toolbox is a handywoman’s best friend; $94. 1. Know where your main electrical panel and water shut-off valve are located. Even if you have no intention of doing your own maintenance or repair work, you should know how to cut the power and turn off the water main in an emergency. London theater designer Niki Turner installed water valves as faucets for an exposed plumbing aesthetic. (For more, see Trend Alert: 10 DIY Faucets Made from Plumbing Parts.) 2. Make sure your fire extinguishers are ready to perform. A fire extinguisher that’s been sitting around for years may not work in an emergency. If an extinguisher has been used once, even for only a small amount, it must be recharged. Every home needs at least one fire extinguisher, if not more. Obviously it s important to have functioning batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms And consider... 3. Replace the batteries in your safety alarms on a regular schedule. ...changing the thermostat battery at the same time to avoid having your furnace malfunction while you re away Keep plenty of fresh batteries on hand and organized in one place so you always have what you need. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista. Most appliances seem to have filters: refrigerators, humidifiers, water filtration systems, range hoods, furnaces, air conditioners, and more. 4. To keep appliances running efficiently, replace or clean filters as required. Plus Minus Zero’s Air Filter uses an antibacterial HEPA filter with an anti-odor carbon filter. 5. Caulk regularly to protect against moisture. Caulk protects the parts of your house that may be exposed to moisture Not only is water damage expensive to repair... ...but also it can also cause illness since some people are susceptible to mold that grows on damp drywall and other materials Photography by Liesa Johannssen; see DIY: Refinishing a Bathtub. Meredith’s rental bath got a revamp thanks to new caulk and accoutrements for houseguests. 6. Seal tile grout at least once a year, and clean it regularly. Don’t assume that the grout between your bathroom and kitchen tiles is waterproof. As an added benefit, sealant helps protect the grout against hard-to-clean staining. Cleaned grout in architect Ian Read’s own Oakland kitchen; see Tile Intel: A Budget Remodel with Heath Seconds. For eco-cleaning, try this recipe for Homemade Tub, Tile, and Grout Cleaner. Clogged vent systems are the leading cause of clothes dryer fires Every year you should clean the entire vent system removing the flexible... 7. Clear obstructions from the clothes dryer duct. ...pipe connected to the dryer so you can vacuum it thoroughly and using a flexible brush to reach up inside the dryer itself See also Clean dryer ductwork and the washer too see Domestic Science How to Clean a Washing Machine Mason prefers the... ...higher gauge steel used in rigid vents because it withstands heat better than the aluminum or plastic found in flexible venting 8. Remove debris from rain gutters and window wells. Rain gutters are meant to direct water away from the house. At least once a year, check that gutters and downspouts are clean and clear of obstructions. A rain spout protrudes from a copper-trimmed roof at The Wood House: A Midcentury House in Progress in Westchester. See Hardscaping 101: Rain Gutters over on Gardenista for more. The refrigerator fan is constantly drawing air into the area around the motor That can cause dust to collect blocking... 9. Clean the area around your refrigerator motor once a year. ...the motor s air intake and forcing the motor to work harder to keep the temperature cool inside the refrigerator A rare view of a refrigerator’s backside. 10. Take these small measures to extend the life span of items in your home. Tighten door handles whenever they feel loose, to keep the hardware functioning properly. See Fixtures and Fittings from a Minimalist Japanese Architect.