| Home-Wizard |
Sponsored by: |
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Boston Digital LLC Making it easier for you to manage your home |
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| http://www.boston-digital.com |
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| Interactive Home Maintenance Guide | ||||||
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| Home-Wizard |
Sponsored by: |
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Boston Digital LLC Making it easier for you to manage your home |
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| http://www.boston-digital.com |
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| Interactive Home Maintenance Guide | ||||||
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Basement Maintenance |
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To maintain the safety and energy efficiency of your basement, it is important that
your home maintenance program
include the proper maintenance for your basement.
Basements are the rooms of a house or building which are below ground level. Basements are important to the structural integrity of the house or building. Basement insulation is usually within ceilings and sometimes the walls. Typically, heating and air conditioning equipment is located in the basement. See also: Pest Control, Furnaces, and Water Heaters. Shown below are the recommended routine maintenance tasks for your basement. Learn to enjoy managing your home with our free Newsletter or our free Automatic Maintenance Reminders. We can also show you the Recommended Maintenance Schedules for your entire home. |
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Maintenance Task #1: Remove debris from basement window wells |
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| How do you remove debris from basement window wells? | ||||
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The window well areas should be cleaned of any debris such as leaves or dirt that has accumulated down in the window wells. Also check for any evidence of termite damage, even if the foundation is concrete. |
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| Why is it important to remove debris from basement window wells? | ||||
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As debris builds up in this area, it can lead to such problems as: leaking windows; nests for insects; window corrosion; etc |
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| How often should you remove debris from basement window wells? | ||||
| These window wells should be cleaned out in November after leaves have fallen, and then checked again in April prior to the summer when insects and pests can be a problem. | ||||
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| How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task? | ||||
| The cost of this task is very low. It is estimated that this task should only take about 30 minutes to complete, and the task is relatively easy to do. No specialized tools are required. |  |
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| The benefits of this task are relatively high. Doing this task can help prevent serious damage by water and pests, including termites, which can be very costly to eliminate and repair damage from. |  |
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| Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high): | ||||
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Maintenance Task #2: Check basement for dampness, leaks or cracks |
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| How do you check your basement for dampness, leaks or cracks? | ||||
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After a large rainfall, inspect walls and floors for any signs of excessive moisture, leaks, cracked or broken floors, or cracked walls. Pay special attention to the joint where the wall meets the floor, as this is where most basement leaks develop. | |||
| Why is it important to check your basement for dampness, leaks or cracks? | ||||
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Leaks and cracks can lead to major basement damage from flooding. |
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| How often should you check your basement for dampness, leaks or cracks? | ||||
| The basement should be inspected annually in May. | ||||
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| How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task? | ||||
| The cost of this task is very low. It is estimated that this task should only take about 30 minutes to complete, and the task is relatively easy to do. Depending on how your basement is finished, you may need a flashlight to do parts of your inspection. |  |
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| The benefits of this task are relatively high. Doing this task can help prevent serious damage by water and pests, including termites, which can be very costly to eliminate and repair damage from. |  |
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| Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high): | ||||
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Maintenance Task #3: Check basement pipe and duct insulation |
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| How do you check your basement pipe and duct insulation? | ||||
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Check the insulation of all basement pipes and ducts. Check air ducts for any air leaks. Look for sections that should be joined, but have separated. Inspect for any holes. If you use duct tape to repair and seal your ducts, look for tape with the "UL" logo on it, which is less likely to degrade, crack, or lose its bond with age. If any insulation has come loose, it should be repaired or replaced. | |||
| Why is it important to check your basement pipe and duct insulation? | ||||
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Proper insulation of cold-water pipes helps prevent those pipes from "sweating" and dripping during the hot summer months, and possible freezing during the winter. Proper insulation of hot-water pipes and air ducts prevents energy loss. |
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| How often should you your basement pipe and duct insulation? | ||||
| Basement pipe and duct insulation should be inspected every 3 years in May, when other basement inspections are being conducted. | ||||
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| How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task? | ||||
| The cost of this task is moderately low. Depending on your particular basement, it is estimated that this task should only take about 45 minutes to complete, and the task is relatively easy to do. Depending on how your basement is finished, you may need a flashlight to do parts of your inspection. | |
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| The benefits of this task are relatively high. Doing this task can help prevent pipe damage and energy losses. | |
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| Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high): | ||||
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Maintenance Task #4: Check basement support beams |
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| How do you check basement support beams? | ||||
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Inspect each support beam to ensure that there are no gaps between beams and the main house girders. Gaps should be filled by driving in shims (thin pieces of metal or hard wood) as necessary. |
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| Why is it important to check basement support beams? | ||||
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If there are gaps between the beams and house girders, then the beam is not carrying the proper load of the house, which can lead to shifting and settling of floors and walls. |
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| How often should you check basement support beams? | ||||
| Beams should be checked every 3 years, during May, when other basement inspections are being conducted. | ||||
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| How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task? | ||||
| The cost of this task is very low. It is estimated that this task should only take about 30 minutes to complete, and the task is relatively easy to do. Depending on how your basement is finished, you may need a flashlight to do parts of your inspection. | |
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| The benefits of this task are relatively high. Doing this task can help prevent uneven settling of your home, which can cause cracking in your walls and floors. | |
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| Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high): | ||||
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