DIY Spring Maintenance
Most of us are spending more time at home these days in an effort to flatten the curve of COVID-19, in accordance with Governor Wolf’s Stay At Home order. With the whole family in the house, you can be putting an additional strain on your home comfort systems while needing them more than ever. JK Mechanical’s team of experts has these suggestions for DIY maintenance you can perform between visits from your JK technician.
Change Your Batteries
Depending on your equipment, your HVAC systerm’s thermostat as well as other zoning sensors, smoke detectors, and CO2 sensors may run on batteries. If it’s been a while since your last JK Precision Tune-Up, replace batteries and gently dust your thermostat for optimal performance. If you’re not sure how to replace batteries or have a question about using your thermostat, leave us a message and one of our technicians will follow up remotely with assistance.
Be Mindful of What You’re Flushing
JK Plumbing Manager Casey Blackwell reminds us that, while toilet paper may be hard to come by, no substitutes such as wipes or paper towels should be flushed for the safety of your home plumbing. This includes “Flushable Wipes,” which may be marketed as flushable but often do not sufficiently decompose and will lead to later, larger, and more costly repairs. Flushing incompatible material cause backups in your own home plumbing as well as larger public sewer issues.
Clear the Condensate Drain
Did you know that during hot & humid weather, your air conditioner can remove between 5 and 20 gallons of water from your home air every day? The condensate line and drain that removes this water is an important component of your home comfort system, and a clog or leak can cause mess and malfunction. Before AC season kicks into high gear, you may want to locate your condensate drain and check for obvious obstructions or leaks. If you notice an issue, be sure and contact JK Mechanical for service.
Check and Replace Your Air Filter
We say it often, but making sure that your air filter is clean and functioning properly is more important than ever. Check your filter and replace when dirty, or every 1-3 months depending on your equipment and your household. You may find that you need to replace your filter even more frequently due to spending more time indoors combined with Spring allergy season.
Inspect Outdoor Faucets
With warm weather and sunny days comes more yardwork. If you are using your outdoor faucet and/or hose for the first time this year, JK recommends checking the interior of your home (where the faucet comes in) to be sure no leaks or cracks developed over the winter.
Clear Your Outdoor Unit
As you’re mulching or landscaping, be sure and leave a clearance of 2-3 feet around your unit for optimum performance. If you notice a buildup of dirt or other debris around your unit or on the fan cage, clear with a broom or damp cloth. If there is significant build-up or you notice animal activity inside the unit, be sure that your unit is off before removing & cleaning.
