4. Check outside siding
Brick siding
• Inspect for any open breaks wider than 1/16 inch. Fill them with a plain silicone sealant or have them tuck-pointed. Shut only the break to deter unnecessary water from coming inside the wall.
• Inspect for soft building mortar joints that disintegrate. In case the building mortar joints are still flush, keep an eye on them. If they peeled off more than 1/4 inch from the surface, the joints
are the most prone to deterioration. The building mortar must be stiff and spread to the corner of the brick. Call for a qualified expert to make the repairs.
• In case the building mortar is friable or has cracks, exposing to brick edges, the joints should be filled. This requires taking out the current mortar back at least 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch and substituting with new building mortar. Call for an experienced professional to make those repairs.
Vinyl and Aluminum Veneer
Inspect for breaks or spoiled veneer; substitute or fix them. The greatest risk to siding is the wind. Wind may seize seams and corners and rend light veneer or aluminum siding off the walls. Then the water gets into the wall arousing wall damage.
Wood Siding
• Inspect for any flaking paint. Scratch and repaint those parts.
• Get rid of vines twining about the house, veneer, brick or building mortar. They may endanger the integrity of the veneer.
• Lop tree branches away from the house to prevent damage in case of a windstorm.
• the vent and wave it out (don't blow it out). See if the smoke is
5. Test all windows and door locks for proper functioning
• Windows, which can be opened by breaking the glass and unbarring the lock are less efficient preventions to offenders. Consult your local hardware store for window lock options.
• All outside doors together with the ones from your attached garage must have padlocks.
6. Have your attic checked for possible leaks once every few years
7. Examine and remove dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
8. Inspect your house for water leaks
9. Examine the water hosepipes on the clothes washer, refrigerator icemaker and dishwasher for breaks and bubbles
Substitute hosepipes, which display signs of seeping. If it is necessary, consult an experienced professional.
10. Examine your water heater
• Inspect the base of your water heater for seeping. In case the water heater is more than five years old, you should test it regularly for any seeping or rusting at the bottom. If rust or water seepage is observed, the water heater must be substituted.
11. Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer
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