When performing a due diligence inspection on your property, it's helpful to work from a checklist. Here are some ideas:
Foundations and Basements
- Inspect for signs of termites and for wood decay.
- Check grading to assure that water will drain away from the building
- Check closeness of trees to foundation for problems from roots.
- Check basement and crawl space for dampness and leakage following wet weather.
- Check driveways and walks for cracks, settling and soil erosion.
- Clean area wells, window sills and storm drains.
Doors and Windows
- Check doors, windows and trim for finish failure or rotted wood.
- Check for broken glass, damaged screens.
- Clean screens.
- Check glazed openings for loose putty.
- Check hardware and lubricate moving parts.
- Check weatherstripping for damage and tightness of fit.
- Check joints and caulk.
- Check caulking at doors, windows, and all openings and joints between different materials (such as brick).
Exterior Walls
- Check masonry for cracks and loose joints.
- Check painted surfaces for paint failure
- Check siding and trim for damage and decay.
- Check stucco
- Check trim for tightness of fit at joints and caulk.
Roofs
- Check for damaged or loose shingles, blisters, roofing sponginess, etc.
- Check underside of roof where accessible for water stains or dampness.
- Check for damage or if paint is needed on gutters, downspouts, hangers, strainers and splash blocks.
- Clean gutter strainers, gutters, downspouts, splash blocks.
- Evaluate roof for future replacement.
- Check fascias and soffits for paint failure and decay.
- Assure that vents are open and properly vented.
- Check masonry chimneys for cracks (inside and outside) and for obstructions.
Interior Surfaces
- Check all painted and natural finished surfaces for dirt, finish failure, and for needed repairs.
- Check all joints in ceramic tile, laminated plastic and similar surfaces.
- Check caulking around sinks, bathtubs and showers.
Floors
- Check for wear, damage, evenness and sponginess.
- Check particularly where one floor material joins another (e.g., wood to carpet).
- Evaluate for replacement or refinish.
- Check for handrails on stairs.
- Make sure handrails are properly attached.
Electrical System
- Check areas where wiring is exposed, and replace at first sign of damage.
- If fuses blow or breakers trip frequently, electrician should be contacted to determine cause and make necessary repairs.
- Check condition of cords and extension cords to all appliances.
- Check smoke detectors
Heating and Cooling Systems
- Have entire system (including gas lines) checked by qualified service person.
- Clean, service or replace filters, humidifiers and dehumidifiers.
- Unvented gas heaters need to have proper ventilation.
- Have a qualified service person check.
- Remove window air conditioners in winter (if applicable).
- Check boiler operation
Plumbing System
- Check faucets, hose bibbs, valve stools, sinks and water heaters for leakage
- Check for corrosion of plumbing connections and fixtures.
- Replace all gate valves with quarter-turn ball valves.
- Have service plumber check septic system.
- Check sump pumps and grease traps.
- Look for underground leaks.
- Check gas lines and make sure no material around water heater is blocking air flow.
- Check to see that water heater vent is not obstructed.
- Gas water heaters should be elevated on an 18" pedestal by code.
Insulation
- Ceiling insulation should be an R-30 or approximately 10 inches deep.
- Check attic for proper ventilation at soffits and gable to assure air flow.
- Wall insulation should be a minimum of R-13 or 3.5 in.
- Floor insulation should be a minimum of R-13 or 3.5 in.
One of the most important factors in keeping the value of your property high is excellent property maintenance. Value is determined by, among other things, how much a buyer wants your home. So if you keep your property fresh, clean and well looked after, you are much more likely to realise a top price for it when it's time to sell.
Here is a handy guide to essential property maintenance:
Tools for the job
Own all the essential tools. That way, no matter what needs fixing or which emergencies are thrown at you, you will always have something on hand to perform a fix.
You'll need the basics, such as a range of screwdrivers, spanners, a hammer, and pliers. It would also be handy to keep basic electricians' tools handy, such as special pliers to strip wires when you rewrite plugs. A wrench can be handy for plumbing problems, and insulation and gaffer tape will have hundreds of uses.
It's also good property maintenance practice to keep consumables such as fuses and light bulbs in stock in your house. Inevitably a fuse will blow on Sunday evening when the shops aren't open. Keep a range of fuses and bulbs dry and warm. You should also buy washers in case of a dripping tap.
Other handy products to keep around are a drain snake, grout filler to prevent leaks in the bathroom, and a number of different sized screws and wall plugs.
One final essential in your property maintenance tool kit is a decent ladder. For safety reasons, it should be big enough to reach the very top of the property without you having to stretch out. Keep your ladder well secured and locked up or chained. Not only are they a target for thieves (especially the expensive fiberglass ones), but your own ladder could be used to burgle your property!
Floors
Floors get more abuse than most other surfaces, especially if there are young children. The key to keeping carpets and hard floors looking their best is preventing dirt getting in, and then cleaning it quickly when it does.
Use door mats at each entrance and clean floors regularly, at least once a week. Sweep hard floors and clean them monthly with a specialist cleaner that won't make them slippery. Keep a powerful carpet stain remover handy and treat stains immediately. It's worth getting carpets steam cleaned once a year - if you can't be bothered, get a professional to do it for you. The longer a stain stays in your carpet, the harder it will be to get rid of it.
Walls
Walls are often overlooked in property maintenance, but they do tell a story about what's going on with the overall structure. Don't worry too much about minor surface cracks in the drywall. These can easily be repaired. The thing to really look out for is more intrusive damage. If cracks re-appear after being repaired, there could be a settling problem with the building.
Widening cracks should be looked at by an expert as quickly as possible. As with most problems, the earlier you deal with it, the easier and cheaper it will be to fix.
Keep an eye out for any mold or dry rot. Pay particular attention to the walls in your bathroom and behind kitchen cabinets. Check water heater closets to be sure they are dry. You want to ensure that moisture and condensation each day isn't settling into the walls and causing them damage.
Windows
Get windows cleaned regularly and wipe down any condensation. Paint wooden windows at least every three years to prevent the weather from damaging them. The caulking around windows is notorious for drying and cracking in the hot Arizona sun. Re-caulking can save money by preventing moisture damage as well as save on those electricity bills.
Plumbing
Don't put up with any dripping faucets, toilets, water heaters, hose bibs, or yard leaks! Make it a part of your property maintenance schedule to check pipes and faucets regularly, and again deal with problems as they arise. If you have a property with poor plumbing, consider getting it repaired or replaced by a professional before it bursts and damages the property.
Electrical
Depending on your skill level, you can do basic electrical maintenance yourself such as replacing plugs. Remember to switch off the supply where needed. For anything else, including replacing broken switches, consider hiring a licensed contractor. It is always prudent that any electrical installations or major work be done by a qualified, licensed and insured electrician.
