- Yard/exterior:
- Remove ivy/vegetation growing closer than 18" to the house
- Regrade surface adjacent to building
- Ground needs to be at least 6-inches below wood frame on all sides of the house
- Ground needs to slope down away from the house for at least 5-10 feet
- Remove trash from underneath porch deck
- Sow more grass seed
- Ensure there is not too much water coming down the embankment
- Patching/repair of siding/trim
- Exterior repainting
- Replace house numbers
- Storm drains:
- Evaluate condition of lines
- Rout out lines
- If lines are clogged or broken and can't simply be cleaned out:
- Repair or replace lines with newer material
- Install below-grade storm water draining system using solid non-perforated pipe, maintain 2% minimum slope (4% or more is better)
- Unclog line at northwest corner of house
- Connect downspout at north side adjacent to the masonry chimney (and any other disconnected downspouts) into the rest of the system.
- Determine where the lines discharge to.
- Clean and caulk gutters and roof storm drainage system
- Heating system:
- Ask previous owners about heating installation and obtain records or receipts if available.
- Floor framing has been left exposed and needs to be enclosed
- Service furnace
- Water ponding on floor next to furnace (from disconnected condensate line?)
- Evaluate adequacy of return air and exhaust installation (white pipes)
- Vacuum clean heat registers
- Vacuum blower compartment of furnace
- Replace furnace filter
- Find out normal operation and emergency procedures (find manual or ask furnace service firm)
- Install/improve combustion air intakes
- Change furnace air filter
- Check furnace heat exchangers
- Decks:
- Attach decks and front porch to house more solidly
- Use 5-6 inch lag bolts to supplement existing nails
- Replace rotting wood
- Treat new decking boards with penetrating stain
- Increase spacing between deck boards
- Re-seal deck boards
- Kitchen:
- Fix stove ventilation fan
- Have plumber evaluate and if necessary correct drainline air gap vent for dishwasher installation
- Raise height of light near large floor-standing cupboards that I keep banging my head on
- Clean sink strainers
- Hall bathroom:
- Route ventilation fan ducts to exterior instead of into attic space
- Replace sink stopper
- Garage:
- Replace or fix garage door locks & springs
- Lubricate garage door mechanism
- Replace broken wood in garage door
- Add automatic garage door opener
- Add self-closing door mechanism between house and garage
- Fix gypsum wallboard
- Ask previous owners about what repairs were done where the ceiling is open
- Electrical:
- Terminate/cap off wires in panel and at furnace
- Replace wall outlet cover plates
- Replace light receptacle/switch cover plates
- Have an electrician check the complete system
- Miscellaneous:
- Fix squeaky floorboards
- Replace carpets
- Interior painting
- Replace interior doors
- Fit closet doors
- Replace windows with holes or where condensation is present between panes of glass
- Replace remaining blinds with curtains
- Fit mantlepiece/shelf above fireplace?
- Buy a new chest of drawers for bedroom
- Change locks
- Have ceiling finish tested for asbestos
- Check for leaks in water service line
- Basement:
- Redecorate
- Add home cinema and one of:
- Pool table
- Foosball table
- Table-tennis table
This entry was posted on Thursday, September 8th, 2005 at 12:59 pm and is filed under home ownership. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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