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Maintenance Tasks: April
Daylight Savings Time begins. Honor the occasion by
replacing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Inspect screens (both house and vent screens to attic or
crawl space) for tears and bent frames.
Clean window screens. Lay them flat on a picnic table or a
pair of sawhorses and scrub them with a soft bristle brush and a
mild detergent solution. Rinse with a garden hose and allow to
dry thoroughly.
Inspect outdoor structures for deterioration --especially
signs of rot. Use a small awl to probe posts, railings and
window sills for soft spots. If you find any, plan to replace or
repair them when the weather turns fair.
Prepare for the outdoor cooking season by inspecting gas
grills. Remove cooking grills and thoroughly clean them with
soapy water and a brush with brass bristles. Remove accumulated
grease from lava rocks and ceramic briquettes by turning them
over and igniting the burners. Allow 10 minutes on high heat to
clean the briquettes.
Inspect garden hoses for leaks. Make temporary repairs with
electrical tape. Pry out old washers and replace them. Don't
leave hoses connected to outdoor spigots until the danger of
frost is completely over.
Caulk open joints, particularly around windows and doors.
Inspect the crawl space or basement after rains for water
accumulation or excessive moisture. Look for signs of water
damage on the subfloor and joists beneath bathrooms, the kitchen
and laundry. Find and fix leaks now or pay the price later.
Shut off the water to the washing machine, remove the water
supply hoses and examine them and the washers. Replace worn and
damaged ones.
Check fire extinguishers to make sure they are not outdated,
have lost pressure or are damaged.
Check all weatherstripping around doors and windows for
wear, damage or loss of flexibility. Replace material that is no
longer blocking air.
Clean your garbage disposal. Grind two trays of ice cubes
made from a mixture of one cup white vinegar to one gallon of
water.
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