Tips for Homebuyers

Always

  • Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and clean or replace the exhaust hood filter. Keeping this clean of cooking grease will help keep a stovetop fire from spreading.

  • Look at overhead wires coming to the house. They should be secure and clear of trees or other obstructions. KCP&L has a great Right Tree document on selecting and planting trees and how to deal with trees that interfere with wiring.

  • You may be responsible for maintaining easements on your property for utilities, water, sewer and storm drainage (e.g. mowing, clearing leaves and debris). Check with your city administration and utility companies to find out.

  • Protect all your electrical appliances from power surges and lightning.

  • Always have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible.

  • Frequently check your electrical system. Look for burn marks at the main electrical panel.

  • Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged.

  • Inspect, replace or wash furnace filters throughout the year. Some types of filters can be cleaned several times before replacing. Others must be replaced. Talk with your local hardware store about which ones to buy and how to maintain.

  • Make sure the light bulbs in all your fixtures are the correct wattage.

  • Use the testing feature on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors device to make sure it’s working. Replace batteries and inoperable units as needed.

  • To prevent power outages, be sure there are not too many appliances plugged into one circuit.

  • To clean the disposal, feed a full tray of ice cubes through it while running cold water. Always remember to run water during use and for at least two minutes after you finish.

  • To help prevent clogs, fit all your tubs and shower drains with a strainer that catches hair and soap chips, and clean the strainer regularly. Be sure that overflow holes on tubs and sinks are clear and open to prevent water damage to floors and ceilings.

Spring

  • Clean up your yard. The winter leaves behind debris, so rake your yard and pick up branches and twigs.

  • Fertilize your lawn. The grass is desperate for a dose of nitrogen in the spring.

  • Trim back tree branches and shrubs to ensure that they are not in contact with the house. Be sure to trim flowering trees and shrubs within 3 weeks after they bloom.

  • If your home is in an area prone to wood destroying insects (termites, carpenter ants, etc.), have the home inspected by a licensed specialist. Early spring is when termites procreate. Eliminate any wood-to-soil contact around the home perimeter.

  • Ensure that the grade of the land around the house encourages water to flow away from the foundation.

  • Examine your roof for damage to roof coverings, flashings, vents and chimneys. Winter’s snow, ice, and wind can wreak havoc on your roof.

  • Porches and decks tend to have a buildup of mold and mildew after the winter season. Clean them with a power washer and then seal.

  • Inspect your vinyl siding for cracks or damage and then replace or repair.

  • Check all of the fascia and trim for deterioration. Make sure it is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed or Factory Mutual (FM) approved.

  • Caulk exterior joints around windows and doors. Caulking helps keep your house weather-tight and lowers cooling bills. It can also help keep insects and other "critters" out of your house.

  • Repair cracks in concrete patios and driveways. For cracks less than 1/4" wide, apply concrete caulk.

  • Survey the basement and/or crawl space walls for evidence of moisture seepage.

  • Inspect the exterior walls and foundation for evidence of damage, cracking or movement. Look for bird nests, vermin or insect activity.

  • Inspect all driveways, walkways, decks, porches, and landscape components for evidence of deterioration, movement or safety hazards.

  • After a winter of burning hardwood it is time to remove the last of the ashes from the fireplace and add them to your compost pile.

  • Wash the exterior of your house, using ordinary garden hose pressure and a mild detergent.

  • Have the heating, cooling and water heater systems cleaned and serviced. Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer.

  • Clean windows and test their operation. Improve caulking and weather-stripping as necessary. Watch for evidence of rot in wood window frames. Paint and repair window sills and frames as necessary.

  • Steam clean carpets after a winter of tracking in snow and winter debris.

  • Maintain a free-flowing gutter system as your gutters prevent rain from running from your roof and falling too close to your house. Flowing water away from your house properly will protect your foundation.

  • Clean lint from the entire clothes dryer vent system, from the dryer, through the duct, damper and out to the exterior vent cap to prevent fire. Clean under the washer and dryer..

Summer

  • Check water hoses on the clothes washer, refrigerator icemaker and dishwasher for cracks and bubbles. Replace hoses that show signs of leaking.

  • Examine electrical panels, wiring and electrical components for overheating. Look for burn marks and ensure that all components are secure at the main electrical panel. Flip the breakers on and off to ensure that they are not sticky.

  • Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function. Know the location of all valves and what equipment and water lines they serve. Know the difference between the outside water shut-off and the inside water shut-off in case of emergency.

  • Test the overhead garage door opener, to ensure that the auto-reverse mechanism is responding properly. Clean and lubricate hinges, rollers and tracks on overhead doors.

  • Check smoke detectors & carbon monoxide detectors by cleaning dust from covers and pressing the test button. Change the batteries or replace inoperable units at the same time. (Labor Day week is national smoke detector awareness week).

  • Check your forced air furnace to make sure that vents in primary living areas are open and unobstructed.

Fall

  • Have your ducts cleaned at least every 5 to 6 years, this keeps your furnace clean and will increase life expectancy. Make sure your ducts have no cracks or leaks in the ductwork and tape were needed.

  • Drain the water heater to increase efficiency and prolong the life of your appliance. At least once a year, have your water heater inspected by a service technician.

  • Maintain a free-flowing gutter system as your gutters prevent rain from running from your roof and falling too close to your house. Flowing water away from your house properly will protect your foundation.

  • Store firewood at least 30 feet away from your home. This will reduce a home’s fire load and the chance of attracting termites.

  • Clean lint from the entire clothes dryer vent system, from the dryer, through the duct, damper and out to the exterior vent cap to prevent fire. Clean under the washer and dryer..

  • Make sure limbs are cut far enough away from the house to avoid damaging it when cold winds blow. It doesn’t take much of a wind to lift up a shingle or pull the nails out of a piece of vinyl siding.

  • Installing weather stripping and caulking leaks will stop drafts and improve comfort. Caulking and weather stripping are inexpensive and almost anyone can do it.

Winter

  • Partially close vents located in less frequently used rooms, but don’t close them all the way unless you’re sure there is no chance of water pipes freezing as a result.

  • Cold air can really run up the utility bill if threshold strips under doorways are not positioned correctly, to say nothing of the mice that slip through even the smallest crack.

  • Protect your outdoor furniture from winter weather. Cover up or store items like seat cushions or umbrellas. Larger pieces and grills will need a waterproof cover.

  • Partially close vents located in less frequently used rooms, but don’t close them all the way unless you’re sure there is no chance of water pipes freezing as a result.

  • To find out if your toilet leaking, add a small amount of red food coloring to the tank, and then check the toilet bowl later. If the water has turned red, water is seeping through from the tank, and you may need to change some tank parts.