Heating systems

Your home may have one of several types of heating systems. They can range from blowing hot air through ductwork to piping hot water through your floor. Whatever type of heating system you have, it is important to check operations on a regular basis to potentially avoid frozen pipes, leading to internal damage to your home.

Heating system checks include:

• Furnace or Boiler operational
• Radiant heat operational
• Thermostats set to maximize cost savings
• Gas/electric fireplace pilot on

Plumbing systems

Regular plumbing checks and maintenance can keep your home’s plumbing system working properly all year. Plumbing system checks include:

Bathrooms

Check all faucets and showers. A small leak in a faucet or shower could get worse over time. The amount of water that leaks may seem insignificant, but even a little water can cause water damage that is costly to repair. Not to mention the gallons of wasted water that a leak can produce.

Flush and check toilets for running water. The working parts of a toilet can start to wear down over time and cause problems. Often this involves running water such as when the toilet handle sticks and it needs a little jiggle or water is running when the toilet is not flushed.

Kitchen

Check for kitchen sink leaks. The kitchen sink gets a lot of use and can often be the source of leaks. Leaks can occur at the faucet, at the sink strainers, at the garbage disposal, or from any sink accessories. Check for garbage disposal leaks. The garbage disposal can also be a source of leaks that can easily go unnoticed until it’s too late and causes damage to the cabinet and/or surrounding flooring.

Water pressure

Avoid putting additional stress on your home’s plumbing system by ensuring the water pressure is at a safe level.

Appliance checks

Refrigerator

A refrigerator temperature of 37°F will keep your food from spoiling. As you are not utilizing routinely, leaving basic staples are fine, but nothing that may spoil. In today's world of high tech features and convenience options, caring for your refrigerator is important. What and how you store food in your refrigerator can affect the amount of energy that is consumed.

Freezer

A freezer temperature of 0°F will keep your food sufficiently frozen. Foods will not likely ever go bad or be unsafe to eat from a stay in a freezer as long as the freezer temperature is at zero degrees F. or below and food quality was excellent when they were frozen.

Dishwasher

Start your dishwasher before you leave your home to be sure all items inside and the washer itself are thoroughly cleaned. I will be sure your dishwasher is empty and dries between your visits.

Telephone

Cell phone service is unpredictable in the mountains, therefore a land line can be useful and resourceful.

• Dial tone present
• Answering machine clear