We get it – during your walkthrough, we throw a lot of information at you. Probably too much to absorb in one sitting. That’s why we put together this guide: so you have something to reference when you’re standing in front of your HVAC unit six months from now thinking “what did Eric say about this?”
Even if your home isn’t exactly like the one we’re describing here, the principles are similar. And if you ever need us to walk you through something a second or third time, just call. We’ll come back out.
The One Thing You Actually Have to Do Every Month
Change your air filters. Seriously, this is the single most important maintenance task for your home.
Look for the vents with small latches – not the ones with four screws (those don’t have filters). Drop down the cover, note the arrow on the filter showing airflow direction, swap in a new one the same size with the arrow pointing toward the vent, and close it back up.
Here’s something people don’t expect: we actually recommend basic filters over the expensive HEPA-style ones. Unless you have severe allergies, the higher-end filters clog faster and need changing more often. If you’re renting out your Lake Anna home and not there full-time, basic filters are way more practical – you can hire someone to swap them monthly without breaking the bank.
Some homes also have smaller returns in bedroom ceilings. Same deal, same 30-day schedule.
Moisture: The Enemy of New Homes
Modern homes are built tight. That’s great for energy efficiency, but it means moisture has nowhere to go unless you help it along.
Two rules to live by:
First, keep your HVAC fan running. Pick a temperature you’re comfortable with and leave it. Think of it like highway driving – maintaining 55 mph uses less fuel than constantly speeding up and slowing down. Same principle.
Second, run your bath fans longer than you think you need to. The mirror is your indicator: keep the fan on until it’s completely clear. If you cut it short, you’ll start seeing mold and mildew in corners and on the caulk. You’ll have to clean that caulk every couple years regardless, but proper ventilation makes a huge difference.
Winterizing Your Hose Bibs
Around October in this part of Virginia, take any hoses or attachments off your exterior faucets. Even though we install frost-free hose bibs, we build in double protection.
Come inside and find the labeled shut-off valve for each hose bib. Turn it so it’s perpendicular to the pipe – that means off. (When it’s in line with the pipe, water flows through.) Then go back outside, turn the faucet on for a minute to drain any residual water, turn it off, and you’re set for winter.
The Floor Drain Mystery (Solved)
If you ever see water backing up around one of the floor drains in your basement, don’t panic. Here’s what’s happening:
Your HVAC unit and water heater produce condensation, especially in summer. We pipe that into floor drains, which run underground and exit through a small PVC pipe on the exterior of your home. After about a year of mowing the lawn, dirt and grass clippings can block that pipe opening.
The fix takes about 30 seconds. Go outside, find the 1.5″ or 2″ pipe near your foundation, clear out whatever’s blocking it, and you’ll see water start draining immediately. Done.
Your Water Pressure Secret Weapon
There’s a large sediment filter installed before your water system. Most people forget it exists until their water pressure drops.
Checking it is straightforward: shut off the ball valves on either side of the filter (perpendicular to the pipe means off), press the pressure relief button on top, unscrew the housing – keep a bucket handy – and take a look. If there’s buildup, rinse it out or grab a replacement at Lowe’s or Home Depot. Check the O-ring for grit before you put it back together, screw everything back on, open the valves, and hit that relief button again to purge any air.
Could be the difference between great water pressure and calling a plumber for no reason.
Windows
Casement windows (the crank-open kind) are simple. Open the latch, crank it open – they go up to 90 degrees, which makes cleaning easy – and keep the track clear of debris. To close, crank it shut, re-latch, and stow the handle.
Double-hung windows tilt inward for cleaning, which is convenient once you know the trick. Unlock both latches, lift slightly, then squeeze the release tabs on each side and tilt the sash toward you. Brace it against your body. The upper sash works the same way.
The key to putting them back: hold those release tabs in while you push. You should hear a snap. If it’s fighting you, you’re probably not holding the tabs – don’t force it. And if something feels off, just give us a call.
When Outlets Stop Working
If your hair dryer or curling iron suddenly dies, check the outlet before you assume it’s broken. GFI outlets near water sources (kitchens and bathrooms) have a safety feature that trips them when something’s wrong.
Look for a small red light on the outlet – that means it tripped. Press the reset button, the light goes off, and you’re back in business. We put every bathroom on its own GFI circuit, and kitchens usually have two. Some outlets don’t have visible buttons because they’re wired to a GFI elsewhere on the same circuit.
Smoke Detectors
Good news: we install 10-year lithium batteries, so you won’t be hunting for 9-volts anytime soon.
To test the system, press and hold the button on any detector. It’ll chirp loudly (sorry), and every other detector in the house will respond – they’re all connected. If you have an older-style detector somewhere, those do take 9-volt batteries. Twist clockwise to remove, swap the battery, twist back on.
Gas Shut-Offs
Your home has three levels of gas shut-offs: at the tank, at the house exterior, and at each individual appliance. We label everything, so if a technician needs to work on your fireplace, they can kill just that supply without affecting anything else.
Attic Access
The access panels in your ceilings and knee walls exist mainly for code compliance and fire safety. There’s usually nothing up there you need to deal with.
Ceiling panels push straight up and slide to one side. Wall panels (behind knee walls) use a skate key – turn left to unlock, push in to open, reverse to close and seal the gasket.
One note if you’re thinking about storage: these spaces aren’t climate-controlled. They get hot in summer and cold in winter. Be thoughtful about what you put back there.
Gutters and Downspouts
We use commercial-sized gutters to handle heavy water, but they still need cleaning. Most people hire someone for this – the heights make it impractical to DIY on a lot of homes. Blowing them out or using a hose attachment works if you’re comfortable on a ladder.
We install cleanout access points at the bottom of downspouts. Check these occasionally for leaf debris and shingle granules, especially in fall.
Your Lawn
Before we seed and straw, we test the soil and add whatever amendments it needs. But grass requires two things we can’t control: sunshine and water. That part’s on you.
If the grass sprouts and then dies, it’s almost always a watering issue. We can see the difference between “it never took” and “it started but wasn’t maintained.” For a golf-course lawn, you’ll probably want to hire a local landscape company – that level of maintenance is its own commitment.
Heavy rain can cause erosion after we’ve done the final grade. That’s not something we’re typically responsible for, though we do want your grass to establish and we’ll help where we can. Some counties require erosion bonds (built into the price); others don’t.
A Few More Quick Ones
Range hood filters pop out – look for the latches – and go right in the dishwasher. This includes over-the-stove microwave hoods. Easy.
Door stops are mounted on the top hinge. If a door’s swinging too far and hitting the wall, there’s a screw mechanism to adjust how far it opens. After 50 or 60 uses, you might need to push the pin back down.
When in Doubt, Call
Pinhole in the grout? Question about something we didn’t cover here? Just not sure? Call us. We’d rather walk you through it again than have you guessing.
We build homes designed to last, and we’re here to help you take care of yours.
Quick Reference
Every month: Change air filters
Every fall: Clean gutter outlets, winterize hose bibs, check daylight drains
Twice a year: Test smoke detectors
Once a year: Check sediment filter, clean range hood filter, inspect bathroom caulk
As needed: Clean windows, adjust door stops, reset GFI outlets