PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SUMMER IN LAS VEGAS
Keeping the Value in Your Home

As the song says, "It's summer time and the living is easy."  And, it's also the perfect time to maintain the value of your Las Vegas Valley home by performing the following home services and check-ups:

• Deep clean all the carpets and rugs in your house.Vacuum the bathroom fan grill.
• Disconnect the duct connected to the dryer and vacuum any lint from duct.
• Check the security of all handrails in and around your home.
• Check for the smooth functioning of all windows and lubricate as required.
• Lubricate all door hinges and tighten screws as needed.
• Lubricate garage door hardware and ensure proper operation.
• Lubricate the automatic garage door opener, motor, chain, etc. and ensure that the auto reverse mechanism is properly adjusted.
• Check and replace damaged caulking and weather stripping around all windows and doors.
• Check the exterior wood and trim for signs of deterioration. Clean and replace/refinish as needed.
• Check the overall condition of your roof. Note the condition of all shingles and examine all roof flashing, such as chimney and roof joints, for any sign of cracking or leakage.
• Check the chimney cap and the caulking between the cap and the chimney.
• Repair the driveway and walkways as needed.
• Repair any damaged steps in your home that present a safety problem.

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR WINTER IN LAS VEGAS
Keeping the Warmth in Your Home

Las Vegas, of course, is known for its extremely harsh sun in the summer, which can take a toll on the condition of your home.

However, the wily winds of the Las Vegas winters can be even more damaging to your house.  And, can make the interior of your home quite chilly.  So, before the temperature drops too low, be sure to perform a winter home check-up to maintain the value of your house.

• Check and clean or replace furnace air filters, each month, during the heating season.
• After consulting your hot water system owner’s manual, turn the electric off to the water heater and drain the water tank. This will help control settlement and maintain efficiency. Refill the water tank and then turn the electric back on to the water heater.
• Clean your humidifiers two or three times during the winter season.
• Vacuum the bathroom fan grills.
• Vacuum your fire and smoke detectors, as dust or spider webs can prevent them from functioning.
• Check the gauges on all fire extinguishers and recharge or replace them, if necessary.
• Check your fire escape routes, door and window locks, and lighting around the outside of your house.
• Check all faucets for signs of dripping and change the washers as necessary. If you have a fixture that is not used frequently, such as a laundry tub, spare bathroom sink or tub, shower stall or toilet, run water briefly to keep some water in the trap.
  Clean the drains in dishwashers, sinks, bathtubs and shower stalls.
• Test all plumbing shut-off valves to ensure they are working properly and to prevent them from seizing.

 

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SPRING IN LAS VEGAS
Freshening Up the Value in Your House

Spring is the perfect time for a Las Vegas homeowner's thoughts to turn to performing the following home services and check-ups to maintain the value of their property.

• Have the fireplace/wood stove chimney cleaned and serviced as needed.
• Check the air conditioning system and have it serviced every two or three years.
• Clean or replace the air conditioning filter, if applicable.
• Check the humidifier and clean it, if necessary.
• Check all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and security alarms; replace the batteries as needed.
• Clean all windows, screens, and hardware. Check your screens to see if any repairs are needed.
• Open any valves to your outside hose connections.
• Examine the house's foundation for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture; repair as required.
• Check downspouts for loose joints and clear any obstructions to ensure water flows away from the foundation.
• Clear all drainage ditches and culverts from debris.

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR FALL IN LAS VEGAS
Maintaining the Value in Your Home

 

The turning leaves of Fall are a natural reminder that it is time to maintain the value of your Las Vegas property by performing the following home services and check-ups:

• Have your gas furnace serviced by a qualified service company every two years.
• Lubricate the circulating pump on the hot water heating system.
• Check and clean or replace air filters each month during the heating season.
• Remove the grill on forced air systems and vacuum inside the ducts.
• Remove screens from inside casement windows to allow for the heating system to keep condensation off window glass.
• Ensure that all doors to the outside are shut tightly and check other doors for ease of use. Replace the door weather stripping if required.
• Ensure windows and skylights are closed tightly.
• Cover any outside air conditioning window units.
• Test the downspouts to ensure proper drainage from the roof.
• Check chimneys for obstructions, such as a bird nests.

If you would like a list of recommended service providers who can assist you in performing any of these services and check-ups, please visit www.onestoplasvegashomes.com/resources.html .