House Maintenance and Safety Tips
by Nicholas Cusano
Maintenance
Make sure dryer vents and chimney flues are cleaned and maintained regularly (At least once per year,
or more often depending on use). If your fireplace has an ash pit make sure it is cleaned out regularly
and that it is sealed correctly. Check flues and connections of the furnace/ boiler/ water heater to
make sure they are sealed properly and free of obstruction.
Smoke Detection
Check the batteries and replace them often (experts recommend they be checked once a month). I
would like to recommend that you install hardwired-interconnected smoke detectors in all bedrooms, in
halls outside of bedrooms, and at least one per floor. Experts recommend using heat detectors in
certain places where smoke detectors might get fooled (such as kitchens, outside steamy showers and
furnace rooms).
Carbon monoxide detectors
They should be placed on every floor of homes equipped with fuel burning appliances especially near
sleeping areas. My understanding is that Carbon monoxide detectors only alarm when CO has reached
dangerous levels. This may not inform you of a lower level contamination which can also be harmful
over time. There are detectors on the market that have a continuous digital readout of CO parts per
million. You may consider these for extra protection. One brand is Nighthawk Deluxe Carbon Monoxide
Detectors BENHDELUX.
Fire Safety
In addition to detection maintenance, survey your home for potentially dangerous situations like
overloaded outlets, old or dusty electrical equipment (i.e. computers), old or improper electrical cords
or extension cords, and cluttered, dusty furnace or laundry areas. Remedy these situations. Have a fire
drill regularly, especially if you have children.
Fresh Air
As houses are designed to be tighter and tighter sealed for heating and air-conditioning reasons and
more combustion equipment is installed, you must have enough fresh air coming in the house to make
up for the air leaving the house or negative pressure will develop. Negative pressure can potentially stall
exhaust gases from properly leaving the house. Fireplaces, boilers, furnaces, dryers, and kitchen
/bathroom exhausts all draw air from the house. When this equipment is in use it is important to allow
fresh air to enter the house. The larger the house the more this comes into play. This could be done by
simply opening windows or by directly venting outside air into areas that need it.
Grading and drainage
In order to help keep basements and crawlspaces dry make sure the grade around the perimeter of
your home drains away from the house. It is important to keep this in mind as you do your yearly
landscaping and garden maintenance. Check and clean all gutters and downspouts and make sure
they exit away from the house.
Sump pumps
If you have a sump pump, check that it is working properly and that it has not met its life expectancy.
Radon gas tests
New Jersey has many radon areas; you should periodically test your home and check your radon
systems
by Nicholas Cusano
Maintenance
Make sure dryer vents and chimney flues are cleaned and maintained regularly (At least once per year,
or more often depending on use). If your fireplace has an ash pit make sure it is cleaned out regularly
and that it is sealed correctly. Check flues and connections of the furnace/ boiler/ water heater to
make sure they are sealed properly and free of obstruction.
Smoke Detection
Check the batteries and replace them often (experts recommend they be checked once a month). I
would like to recommend that you install hardwired-interconnected smoke detectors in all bedrooms, in
halls outside of bedrooms, and at least one per floor. Experts recommend using heat detectors in
certain places where smoke detectors might get fooled (such as kitchens, outside steamy showers and
furnace rooms).
Carbon monoxide detectors
They should be placed on every floor of homes equipped with fuel burning appliances especially near
sleeping areas. My understanding is that Carbon monoxide detectors only alarm when CO has reached
dangerous levels. This may not inform you of a lower level contamination which can also be harmful
over time. There are detectors on the market that have a continuous digital readout of CO parts per
million. You may consider these for extra protection. One brand is Nighthawk Deluxe Carbon Monoxide
Detectors BENHDELUX.
Fire Safety
In addition to detection maintenance, survey your home for potentially dangerous situations like
overloaded outlets, old or dusty electrical equipment (i.e. computers), old or improper electrical cords
or extension cords, and cluttered, dusty furnace or laundry areas. Remedy these situations. Have a fire
drill regularly, especially if you have children.
Fresh Air
As houses are designed to be tighter and tighter sealed for heating and air-conditioning reasons and
more combustion equipment is installed, you must have enough fresh air coming in the house to make
up for the air leaving the house or negative pressure will develop. Negative pressure can potentially stall
exhaust gases from properly leaving the house. Fireplaces, boilers, furnaces, dryers, and kitchen
/bathroom exhausts all draw air from the house. When this equipment is in use it is important to allow
fresh air to enter the house. The larger the house the more this comes into play. This could be done by
simply opening windows or by directly venting outside air into areas that need it.
Grading and drainage
In order to help keep basements and crawlspaces dry make sure the grade around the perimeter of
your home drains away from the house. It is important to keep this in mind as you do your yearly
landscaping and garden maintenance. Check and clean all gutters and downspouts and make sure
they exit away from the house.
Sump pumps
If you have a sump pump, check that it is working properly and that it has not met its life expectancy.
Radon gas tests
New Jersey has many radon areas; you should periodically test your home and check your radon
systems