May maintenance for a marine climate
Mild and wet: moisture, moss, gutters and ventilation matter more than extreme temperatures.
3 tasks this month. The median typical first freeze across the region’s counties is Nov 11 and the last is Mar 29; your county can differ by weeks.
May3 tasks
- This monthPress the test button on every smoke and CO alarm.
An alarm you have not heard in months may have a dead battery or sensor. NFPA recommends testing smoke alarms at least once a month.
How
Hold the test button until it sounds. Anything silent or chirping: replace the battery, or the whole alarm if it is past its date.
- This monthLook under every sink and around toilets and the water heater for drips.
Slow leaks rot cabinets and subfloors long before they show. Catching one early is a washer, not a floor.
How
Use a flashlight: feel supply lines and the shutoff valves, look for stains, warped cabinet floors or a toilet that rocks.
- WatchSwitch ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise for summer.
A fan blowing air down creates a wind-chill effect, so you can set the thermostat a little higher and stay comfortable. Fans cool people, not rooms: turn them off when you leave.
How
Stop the fan and flip the direction switch on the motor housing; you should feel a breeze standing under it.