Furnace
- Furnace and HRV filters should be checked monthly to ensure full efficiency of your heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.
- Keep any flammable or combustible items away from heating appliances or if possible in another room.
Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner is not working check that:
- that the cover is off outside
- breaker is on
- furnace filter is clean
- furnace switch is on
Furnace
- Furnace and HRV filters should be checked monthly to ensure full efficiency of your heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.
- Keep any flammable or combustible items away from heating appliances or if possible in another room.
Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner is not working check that:
- that the cover is off outside
- breaker is on
- furnace filter is clean
- furnace switch is on
Drains
- Place a strainer over kitchen and bathroom drains if they do not already have one; this will prevent hair, pieces of soap, and other debris from clogging drains. Clean the strainer as needed.
- Unclog a drain mechanically rather than chemically when possible.
- Use chemical drain cleaners sparingly, especially if your pipes or traps are brass, steel, or cast-iron; some chemicals may corrode metal pipes. Try this instead: pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down your drain every month.
- The drains in showers and in bathroom sinks typically need extra care; pour two or three gallons of boiling water down each bathroom drain about once a month to clear out hair and greasy particles.
- Every week or two remove sink and tub pop-up stoppers and rinse them off.
- Every three or four months remove the overflow plate on the tub.
- Then pull up the pop-up assembly to reach the spring or rocker arm. Remove accumulated hair and rinse thoroughly.
- If your shower drain is plugged up;
- Try a plunger first. If the plunger doesn’t unplug the drain, insert a plumber’s helper (“snake”) down the drain.
- Prevent drain clogs by putting a lint trap on your washing machine discharge hose.
Faucets
- Repair or replace a leaky faucet promptly.
- Be sure to check under sinks for moisture or leaks. Even a slow leak can waste as much as 15 or 20 gallons of water a day. But a leak not only wastes water; it can eventually ruin your faucet or even your cabinets and floors.
- Leaky faucets are ordinarily caused by seals which are dirty or worn. You may either clean or replace the worn parts, or you may want to install a new faucet.