Annual home maintenance - an 11-point checklist

Taking good care of your home involves doing small regular maintenance jobs - they help keep your home clean and safe to live in. Here's 24 Center's 11-point checklist for homeowners for annual home maintenance: 

Annual home care checklist

• Clean the extractor hood grease filter (1-4 times a year)
• Clean water locks and floor drains (1-4 times a year) 
• Background vacuuming of household appliances (1-2 times a year) 
• Defrost and clean the freezer and fridge (1-2 times a year)
• Clean the ventilation valve (1-2 times a year) 
• Check the connections of washing machines
• Lubrication of door and window hinges 
• Check the condition of the sauna heater's resistors and stones
• Cleaning the gutters on your own farm once a year
• If you have a fireplace in your house - get a chimney sweep once a year 
• Emptying the grease trap

1.Cleaning the grease filter of the stove hood

The filter will only remove food particles effectively if it is clean enough. Grease and dirt accumulates in the grease filter during cooking and, if it does, creates a fire hazard. The grease filter can be cleaned every two months, but at least 1-2 times a year. Always follow the instructions of the appliance manufacturer.

If the filter is of the replaceable type, remove the dirty filter from the cooker hood and replace it with a new one. If the filter is of the washable type, remove the filter from the cooker hood and wash it with dishwashing liquid. Often the filter can also be washed The metal grease filter can usually be washed in a dishwasher. Remember to clean the extractor hood with dishwashing liquid too. Do not replace the grease filter until it is dry.

2.Clean water locks and floor drains 

Over time, dirt builds up in the water traps and they no longer pull properly. Regular cleaning also helps prevent water damage. Carefully remove the water trap and remove the dirt. Clean the lock and its parts with water or a light detergent. Carefully reassemble the cleaned lock. Finally, turn off the tap and check that the lock is not leaking. If water is seeping out of the lock, check the position of the lock seals and repair the lock fastening.

Floor drains should also be cleaned regularly to avoid water damage. For example, hair accumulates in the shower floor drain, which over time clogs the drain. Dirty floor drains can also start to spread an unpleasant smell in the room. Clean your floor drains at least once a year, but preferably 2-3 times a year. Open the floor drain cover and remove any hair and dirt that has accumulated in the drain. Flush the well, clean the water trap and cover. Replace the water trap and finally press the cover back on the well.

3.Vacuuming the background of household appliances 

For example, dust accumulates behind the fridge and freezer, reducing air circulation and increasing electricity consumption. Dust also poses a fire risk. Move the appliance and vacuum the background thoroughly. Move the appliance back into place. 

4.Defrost and clean the freezer and fridge

Defrost the fridge and freezer if the inside surfaces are covered with a layer of frost. Empty the contents and make sure the power is switched off and unplugged. Remember to protect the floor from melting ice and water. Leave the freezer lid or door open. You can speed up the melting of ice by placing a hot water dish in the freezer. If there is a lot of ice, you can try to gently remove it, for example with a blunt object. A steam cleaner is also a handy tool for cleaning. Wipe the inside of the freezer with a rag dampened with dishwashing liquid, let it dry and ventilate. Turn the fridge and freezer back on.

5.Clean the ventilation valve

The air in the dwellings is exchanged through the exhaust and replacement vents, so it is important to keep them clean. The design of the valves depends on whether the house has pressurised or mechanical ventilation. Clean the exhaust and replacement air valves at least once or twice a year, more often if necessary. If the valve has a filter, you may need to change it several times a year. 

Clean any lint, dust, etc. that has accumulated on the valve surface and in the crevices with a damp rag. If the dirt is adhering, remove the valve and clean the parts. Remember to also wipe or vacuum the outdoor air duct behind the filter if it is a replacement air valve. Please note that the position of the centre of the exhaust air valve of a forced ventilation system must not be changed during cleaning. Any silencer component must also be protected and cleaned only with a dry cloth. After cleaning, replace the valve.

6.Check the connections of the washing machines 

Check the connections of your washing machine and dishwasher 1-2 times a year. One of the most common causes of water damage in homes is a dishwasher or washing machine connection failure. Check both connections of the machine, i.e. the pressure water connection and the waste water connection. Check by hand that the connections are tight. If the connection is not secure and/or there is moisture at the connection, the connection should be repaired. Do not use the washing machine if you are not sure that the connections are secure. Remember that the installation of hoses and connections for washing machines should always be carried out by professionals.

7.Lubrication of door and window hinges 

The condition of doors and windows should be checked at regular intervals depending on the number of openings and the load, but at least once a year. The creaking hinge is in need of oil. Suitable oil can be bought from a hardware store, but ordinary anhydrous cooking oil will also work, such as Teflon or petroleum jelly sprays. Before oiling, remove any black metal dust from the hinge bearing area that may have fouled the frame or door. If oiling doesn't help, remove the hinge and scrub it clean with steel wool. Finally, oil the hinge and fix it back in place.

8.Check the condition of the sauna heater's resistors and heater stones

Every sauna and stove owner should know how to maintain their sauna and stove at regular intervals. The resistors in an electric stove are often tight from heavy use, the resistors can become warped and the heat cannot flow freely. The first thing to do is to check the condition of the heater stones. It is also a good idea to reload the stones, and replace the stones with new ones if necessary. The more the stove is heated and the more the stove is heated, the more the stones will be damaged. The surface of the stones wears away and as a sign of this, crushed stones and dust accumulate on the sauna floor in front of the stove. When the stones on the surface of the stove turn light grey, it is time to change the order. In an electric stove, the stones wear out fairly evenly, but changing the order of the stones will slightly increase their lifespan. Click here for tips on electric stove maintenance.

9.Cleaning the gutters of a private farm

The most visible sign of a gutter blocked by debris is a gutter that overflows its banks in the rain.If the gutter leaks, the land around the house gets too wet. Even the drainage system is not always able to drain the soil of all the litres of water that run off the edge of the roof. In the worst case, excess moisture can be transferred from the soil to the structure. Gutters can be cleaned by hand in the traditional way or by using long-handled gutter cleaners. While cleaning the gutters, keep an eye out and also note any deteriorated fasteners or open seams.

10.If you have a fireplace in your house - order a chimney sweep once a year 

According to the Rescue Act, the owner of the property is obliged to ensure regular chimney sweeping. In addition to fire safety, regular chimney sweeping is also necessary to ensure that the fireplace works well and the chimney is draughty. The regulation on chimney sweeping was renewed at the beginning of 2019. As a result of the reform, rescue services are no longer obliged to organise chimney sweeping services in their area, but the property owner can order the work from a chimney sweeping contractor of their choice.  

11.Draining the grease trap 

The grease trap should be emptied at regular intervals. A grease trap can be found in every household. In practice, the grease trap in the grease trap prevents greasy water from entering the sewerage system. This means that the grease stops at a certain point in the well and has to be drained out. The part to be drained is the grease trap in particular, which should also be cleaned when draining. Grease can easily block the drain, which can lead to bigger problems. Grease also causes odour problems.The draining of the grease trap may be a traditional regular drainage or it may be necessary because the drain is blocked due to grease accumulation in the drain. A vacuum truck can help in both situations. Link to the blog!

Through 24 Center, you can get a suction truck to your location every day of the year. Whether it's a household or even a restaurant grease trap, a vacuum truck can handle any size of drainage job. 

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