Summertime House Maintenance

I am passing on a list of Areas to Address for Summertime House Maintenance From A Local Professional Home Inspector...

1. Monitor basement humidity and avoid relative humidity levels above 60 per cent. Use a dehumidifier to maintain safe relative humidity. Clean or replace air conditioning filter, and wash or replace ventilation system filters if necessary.
2. Check basement pipes for condensation or dripping, and take corrective action, for example, reduce humidity and or insulate cold water pipes.
3. Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary.
4. If you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, for example, a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap.
5. Deep clean carpets and rugs.
6. Vacuum bathroom fan grille.
7. Disconnect the duct connected to the dryer and vacuum lint from duct, the areas surrounding your clothes dryer and your dryer’s vent hood outside.
8. Check security of all guardrails and handrails.
9. Check smooth functioning of all windows and lubricate as required.
10. Inspect window putty on outside of glass panes and replace if needed.
11. Lubricate door hinges and tighten screws as needed.
12. Lubricate garage door hardware and ensure it is operating properly.
13. Lubricate automatic garage door opener motor, chain, etc. and ensure that the auto-reverse mechanism is properly adjusted.
14. Check and replace damaged caulking and weatherstripping around windows and doorways, including the doorway between the garage and the house.
15. Inspect electrical service lines for secure attachment where they enter your house, and make sure there is no water leakage into the house along the electrical conduit.
16. Check exterior wood siding and trim for signs of deterioration; clean, replace or refinish as needed.
17. Check for and seal off any holes in exterior cladding that could be an entry point for small pests, such as bats and squirrels.
18. Remove any plants that contact, or roots that penetrate, the siding or brick.
19. Climb up on your roof, or use binoculars, to check its general condition, and note any sagging that could indicate structural problems requiring further investigation from inside the attic. Note the condition of all shingles for possible repair or replacement, and examine all roof flashings, such as at chimney and roof joints, for any signs of cracking or leakage.
20. Sweep chimneys connected to any woodburning appliance or fireplace, and inspect them for end-of-season problems.
21. Check the chimney cap and the caulking between the cap and the chimney.
22. Repair driveway and walkways as needed.
23. Repair any damaged steps that present a safety problem.