Trouble spots Trouble spots (October 22, 2004)

You mean, houses don't maintain themselves?

By Alex Doniach

Most homeowners don't have a clue about home maintenance. They believe that buying the house is the hard part and forget about the wear-and-tear of living there. Some simply deny potential problems -- until suddenly disaster strikes.

But, a home, like any well-maintained machine, will give off warning signs that could signal trouble to the homeowner. Following are a few common problems that many residents don't think about, but should.

Slow, sluggish drains

Catch a slow drain early on, before damage becomes expensive, said Lance Eastman, president of Bay Area Plumbing and Heating in Redwood City.

Sluggish drains can mean two things: a stoppage in the main sewage line, or a foreign object flushed down the toilet.

If it's the main sewer line that's backed up, roots could be the cause. Often nearby vegetation will grow into tiny cracks in the line and restrict the flow. This can lead to some messy situations for the whole household that could be prevented if caught early. Calling a plumber about once a year is a good idea because they can easily push a drain snake through the main line, Eastman said.

He also suggested an annual video survey of the sewage line. This new plumbing technique looks inside the line to see where roots are growing.

He discourages purchasing a root destroyer because these toxic chemicals are hazardous for the environment. The products are generally made from copper sulphate and, though filtered through the sewage treatment plant, they eventually flow to the Bay.

Newer and more environmentally friendly products are on the market, but Eastman still encourages employing a professional to do the job the old fashioned way -- with a drain snake and a cutting head to physically clip budding roots.

Eastman also suggested putting a pressure-relief valve on the sewage line so that the sewer water backs into the yard instead of the house. This will minimize damage to the home should the owner have a backup and not realize it.

"A sluggish sink, toilet and shower can indicate that there is something wrong with the main line," he said. "If only one fixture is slow, this probably means only that fixture is backed up and the main line may not be the problem."

Spike in the water bill

"Check the irrigation timer, and make sure you aren't over watering," Eastman said. He also suggested looking at the water meter and calling the city to verify that there are no leaks on the property. After a leak is identified, a plumbing service can come in and pinpoint the problem.

Also, Eastman warned that Eichler residents need to take special precautions to turn boiler heaters off. Eichler's heating systems are unique in that the water lines, built in the floors, radiate heat but are also more prone to leaks.

Rusty nails, but no visible leaks

A busted pipe is not the only cause of water damage. This can also mean that water is dripping through the roof or from an air-conditioning unit.

Dark wall stains should be dealt with immediately because they could lead to mold and humidity if left untreated. Indoor mold and a moist environment are hotbeds for germs, Eastman said.

Glass stains won't wipe off

Continuous spraying of sprinklers can result in etch marks on glass. Tap water can also cause damage if it contains too much calcium. This can cause hard-to-clean water spots and permanent marks.

Windows should be cleaned at least once a year, according to Randy Mills, owner of Pioneer Services Window Cleaning based in Mountain View. Method of choice? Scrubbing a soap solution with a squeegee. Though a chemical cleaner, such as Windex, isn't bad for a window, Mills said the soap and squeegee method won't cause streaks.

"The benefits of having it done professionally is that we have experience," Mills said. "Doing windows yourself is time consuming and requires a lot of patience."

Cleaning carpets and drapes

Coit Carpeting recommends regular cleaning about every six months depending on traffic and the amount of dirt regularly tracked into the home. Built-up dirt can damage a carpet and regular cleaning can increase its lifespan by years.

"All the loose soil that gets tracked in scratches the fibers on carpeting," said Scott McWhirter, general manager of Coit Services, Inc., in Burlingame. "Frequent vacuuming will also increase lifespan."

When cleaning a carpet, one of the key aspects to look out for is how well the company extracts. He recommends hot water extraction that doesn't leave a soapy residue that can damage sensitive carpets. The machines they use remove 98 percent of water. He also suggested staying away from over-the-counter carpet cleaners. These products contain too many chemicals that can damage sensitive materials and lead to bleaching.

McWhirter suggested cleaning drapes every two years to increase lifespan and prevent heating and air-conditioning ducts from filling with loose dirt. Loose dirt on drapes circulates through the house -- causing dirty air and potential health problems.

Although professional cleaning can be expensive, McWhirter maintained that a thorough clean is well worth the money if it saves the homeowner from having to re-carpet their house. Prices for carpet cleaning start at about $50 per room and this price goes up according to the room's size. Drapes, blinds and shades all depend on size, but Coit provides free estimates.

A forgotten heater

When it comes to water heaters, Steve Spratt, president of Home Preservation Services in Los Altos, warned that maintenance is crucial because most heaters weren't manufactured to last more than five to 10 years.

"Basically a hot-water heater is a steel tank that rusts," he said. "Most heaters have a long bar of zinc inside that rusts instead of the tank itself." Once that's gone, the tank is the next target.

Spratt recommends checking the water heater twice a year to make sure the zinc is still intact.

When it comes to furnaces, Spratt suggested regularly checking to see if the ducts are full of debris and dirt. All forced-air furnaces that blow hot air through the home come with filters. Once the filter fills with mess, that mess is recirculated. This can cause health problems if not cleaned regularly. He suggested checking the furnace filter once a year.

However, if the furnace does not have a filter, the heating system is virtually maintenance free, he said.

A slippery patio or deck

Regular power washing can prevent a dangerous slippery deck or patio, according to Mark Carlson of Carlson Pressure Washing in Menlo Park. Especially during the winter, moss and mildew can accumulate on bricks, he said. Children and the elderly are prone to dangerous falls if patios aren't cleaned regularly, he added.

Mildew on patios also tends to eat away mortar between stones. This can also decrease the lifespan and durability of a patio. He recommends power-washing surfaces annually.

In addition to safety and maintenance, power-washing boosts curb appeal. "From a home sales aspect, it just makes everything look better," he said. "When given a job, we do the driveway, front, entryway, sidewalk and we'll even blow out the bushes."

E-mail a friend a link to this story.