View Our Handyman Resources 

(If the report indicated appliances were operated, the following applies) dishwashers are tested to see if the motor operates and the water sprays properly. Stoves are tested to see that burners work and the oven and broiler get hot. Timer and controls are not tested. Refrigerators are not tested. Most new dishwashers have the drain line looped automatically, which may not be visible on inspection day. The dishwasher drain line needs to have an anti-siphon break to prevent backflow. A drain line loop or Dishwasher air gap should be installed if found to be missing. No representation is made of the continued life expectancy of any appliance.

All swinging doors should be checked for door stops. Broken or missing door stops can result in door knobs breaking through drywall or plaster.

Sliding closet doors should be checked to see that closet guides are in place. Missing or broken closet

guides can cause scratches and damage to doors.

Window frames and sills often have surface deterioration due to condensation that has run off the window and damaged the varnish. Usually, this can be repaired with a solvent-style refinisher and fine steel wool. This is sometimes a sign of excess humidity in the house.

Smoke detectors should be tested monthly. At least one detector should be on each level. CO detectors are not required by most states, but for safety reasons, are highly recommended.

Bathrooms with a shower should have exhaust fans when possible. This helps to remove excess moisture from the room, preventing damage to the ceiling and walls, and wood finishes. The exhaust fan should not be vented into the attic. 

The proper way to vent the fan(s) is to the outside. Running the vent pipe horizontally and venting into a gable end or soffit is preferred. Running the vent pipe vertically through the roof may cause condensation to run down the vent pipe, rusting the fan and damaging the wallboard. Insulating the vent pipe in the attic will help to reduce this problem.

Slow drains on sinks, tubs, and showers are usually due to hair and soap scum build-up. Most sink popups can be easily removed for cleaning. Some tubs have a spring attached to the closing lever that acts as a catch for hair. It may require removing a couple of screws to disassemble. Be kind to your pipes if you cannot mechanically remove the obstruction. Don't use an acidic cleaner. There are several bacteria drain

cleaners available. They are available at hardware stores in areas where septic tanks are used.

To prevent air and weather penetration problems. a. Check caulking for decay around doors, windows, corner boards, and joints. b. Recaulk and weatherstrip as needed. Check glazing putty around windows.

Most shut-off valves have not been operated for long periods of time. 

We recommend operating each shut-off valve to: the toilet bowl, water heater, under sinks, main shut-off, hose faucets, and all others. 

We recommend you have a plumber do this, as some of the valves may need to be repacked or replaced. Once the valves are in proper operating order, we recommend opening and closing these valves several times a year.

A "frozen gutter downspout drain" means that the water in your downspout has frozen solid, preventing water from flowing down and potentially causing ice dams in your gutters due to a buildup of melted snow that can't drain properly; this usually happens during cold weather when temperatures drop below freezing

Preventative measures:

• Clean gutters regularly: Remove debris like leaves and twigs from your gutters to prevent blockages that can worsen freezing. 
• Install gutter guards: Gutter guards can help keep debris out of your downspouts.

• Access the brine tank: Remove the cover to see the salt level inside. 
• Observe salt level: Ideally, the salt should be at least halfway full in the tank.
• Check for water: If you see a large amount of water on top of the salt, it's time to add more salt.
• Salt type: Use only designated water softener salt, not rock salt.
• Salt bridge check: Look for any hardened salt formations (salt bridges) that may prevent the salt from dissolving properly. 

 When to check:

• Regularly: Check your salt levels every few weeks or once a month, depending on your water usage.
• Signs of hard water: If you notice your water feeling hard again, check the salt level

• Tools and materials: vacuum with special attachment, dust mask, small paintbrush or toothbrush, can of compressed air
• Step 1: Find fridge coils
• Step 2: Move fridge
• Step 3: Unplug fridge
• Step 4: Vacuum coils
• Step 5: Scrape and blow out stubborn dust, dirt and debris
• Step 6: Clean behind fridge and move fridge back into place

Flush your water heater every six months or so. If you have harder water, or water that contains more minerals, you may want to flush it more often. 

What happens if you never flush your water heater?

… water heater is not flushed, the built-up sediment hampers the functioning and performance of the heater and also damages the heater and your plumbing system

If your water heater goes long enough without a proper flush, you could also have corrosion attacking the tank itself, weakening its structural integrity

A slow running drain can be caused by a clog in the pipes. You can try these methods to fix a slow drain: 

• Plunger: Create a seal around the drain and plunge up and down to loosen debris. 
• Boiling water: Pouring boiling water down the drain can help dissolve grease and minor clogs. 
• Baking soda and vinegar: This natural, eco-friendly solution can help dissolve clogs caused by soap scum and minor hair clogs. 
• Drain snake: Use a plumber's snake to clear blockages further inside the pipes. 
• Clean the trap: Remove and clean the hook-shaped pipe under the sink. This is the most likely place for a clog.

Especially during the fall and wintertime (if you let your leaves sit around that long), critters like rodents and snakes are desperate to find a warm place to survive the harsh weather conditions

The exhaust fan filter over your stove is designed to catch grease, which means that it gets quite grimy over time and, if it’s not cleaned regularly, can get so blocked up that it can’t do its job anymore. To clean it, simple remove the filter from the hood and give it a scrub down in the sink with hot water and a de-greasing dish soap, then let it dry and pop it back into place.

• First, unscrew the faucet head with the help of a screwdriver.
• In a small bowl, mix baking soda with a small amount of water to create a thick paste.
• Spread the baking soda paste generously over the faucet head, especially on areas with visible residue or buildup.
• Use the old toothbrush to scrub the faucet head, focusing on areas with stubborn residue. 
• Rinse the faucet head under clean running water to remove the baking soda paste and any loosened residue and dry the faucet with a clean cloth.
• Once the faucet head is thoroughly cleaned, reattach it to 

• Stay informed and pay attention to the information provided by local authorities.
• Avoid driving and other travel until conditions have improved. Even if roadways have been cleared of snow following a storm, any water left on the roadways may freeze, resulting in a clear sheet of ice, also known as black ice.

In freezing weather, a water hose spigot should be completely disconnected from the hose and have its water supply shut off to prevent the water inside from freezing and potentially bursting the pipe: it's crucial to remove the hose and drian any remaining water before temperatures drop significantly.

Low lying decks where moisture, leaves, and other debris can collect over the winter months. A challenge with low lying decks is that you may not have access to clean this area out. For decks with no access, it is recommended that labelled insecticide dust be applied between the boards starting 6 – 12” away from the house.

Wind can damage storm doors by causing them to swing open and potentially causing damage to the door, frame, or hardware Proper Latching: Ensuring the storm door is properly latched after each use is crucial to prevent it from being blown open by the wind.