Your 12-month plan for Georgetown County

Hold the test button until it sounds. Anything silent or chirping: replace the battery, or the whole alarm if it is past its date.

Pop the metal filter out and soak it in hot water with dish soap and baking soda, or run it through the dishwasher if the maker allows.

Cut run times, check each zone for broken heads, and press the rain sensor test if it has one.

Hold the test button until it sounds. Anything silent or chirping: replace the battery, or the whole alarm if it is past its date.

Turn the system off, slide the filter out, and match the size printed on its edge. Arrow on the frame points toward the blower.

Twist out the filter at the bottom of the tub, rinse it under the tap and scrub gently with a soft brush.

Run hot water at the tap closest to the heater for a minute and measure with a kitchen thermometer; adjust the dial in small steps.

Use a short-term test kit in the lowest lived-in level, keep windows closed per the kit, and mail it to the lab. EPA recommends fixing at 4 pCi/L or more.

Narrate as you go, open closets, and save the file somewhere off the phone (and to My Home).

Check the model’s filter part number in the manual or on the filter itself.

Look for cracked caulk at windows, trim and penetrations; recaulk with an exterior-grade sealant when it is dry.

Hold the test button until it sounds. Anything silent or chirping: replace the battery, or the whole alarm if it is past its date.

Unplug the dryer (and shut the gas valve on a gas dryer), disconnect the duct, brush it out, and check the outside flap opens freely.

It is usually where the line enters the house or near the meter. Close it, open a faucet to confirm, then reopen it fully.

Use a flashlight: feel supply lines and the shutoff valves, look for stains, warped cabinet floors or a toilet that rocks.

Look from the ground with binoculars; never pressure-wash shingles.

Hold the test button until it sounds. Anything silent or chirping: replace the battery, or the whole alarm if it is past its date.

Lay a 2x4 flat under the door and close it. It should reverse on touching the board. Also wave something through the photo-eye beam while it closes.

Turn the heater to vacation or off, attach a hose to the drain valve, run it to a drain until the water runs clear, then refill before turning it back on.

Place a bucket under the discharge pipe and lift the lever briefly; scalding water should flow and stop when released. If it drips afterward or does not open, call a plumber.

Clear 2 feet around the outdoor unit first. Ask for the refrigerant pressures and the capacitor readings in writing.

Open the indoor valve, run the outside faucet for a minute, then check the wall behind it and the basement ceiling for drips.

Pop the metal filter out and soak it in hot water with dish soap and baking soda, or run it through the dishwasher if the maker allows.

Walk the foundation with a flashlight, including the crawlspace and garage. Keep mulch and wood away from the siding.

Look with a flashlight from the access hatch; note puddles, wet insulation or sagging duct wrap.

Hold the test button until it sounds. Anything silent or chirping: replace the battery, or the whole alarm if it is past its date.

Turn the system off, slide the filter out, and match the size printed on its edge. Arrow on the frame points toward the blower.

Plug in a lamp, press TEST (the lamp should go off), then RESET. If it does not trip, have an electrician replace it.

Walk the whole perimeter. Note anything lifted, missing or rusted and photograph it. Stay off the roof.

Find the cleanout tee near the indoor unit, pour in a cup of distilled vinegar, and check the outside end drips freely.

Find the declarations page. Write down the hurricane deductible in dollars and the flood policy dates.

Replace bark mulch next to the house with gravel, move firewood 30 feet away, clear needles from the roof, gutters and under the deck.

Two metal straps (upper and lower third) into studs; anchor bookcases and dressers.

Twist out the filter at the bottom of the tub, rinse it under the tap and scrub gently with a soft brush.

Patch small holes; re-spline larger tears. Note fogged panes for replacement quotes.

Hold the test button until it sounds. Anything silent or chirping: replace the battery, or the whole alarm if it is past its date.

Use a flashlight: feel supply lines and the shutoff valves, look for stains, warped cabinet floors or a toilet that rocks.

Flush each downspout and check the ground slopes away from the foundation.

Fit one panel to test, count fasteners, and store everything together and labeled.

Stop the fan and flip the direction switch on the motor housing; you should feel a breeze standing under it.

Run it outdoors for 20 minutes with a load. Add stabilizer or drain old fuel. Never backfeed the house without a transfer switch.

Hold the test button until it sounds. Anything silent or chirping: replace the battery, or the whole alarm if it is past its date.

Pull the washer out and check both hoses near the fittings. Replace bulging or cracked rubber hoses with braided ones.

Run the AC or a dehumidifier in the basement or crawlspace; empty or drain the dehumidifier and clean its filter.

Pop the metal filter out and soak it in hot water with dish soap and baking soda, or run it through the dishwasher if the maker allows.

Turn off power at the outdoor disconnect, clear 2 feet around it, and gently hose the fins from inside out if the maker allows.

Probe suspect spots with a screwdriver; anything soft needs repair and fresh paint or sealant.

Check your system’s filter slot and the highest MERV rating it can take without restricting airflow.

Hold the test button until it sounds. Anything silent or chirping: replace the battery, or the whole alarm if it is past its date.

Turn the system off, slide the filter out, and match the size printed on its edge. Arrow on the frame points toward the blower.

Find the cleanout tee near the indoor unit, pour in a cup of distilled vinegar, and check the outside end drips freely.

Twist out the filter at the bottom of the tub, rinse it under the tap and scrub gently with a soft brush.

Check the model’s filter part number in the manual or on the filter itself.

From the attic, look for daylight at the soffits and baffles keeping insulation off the vents.

Hold the test button until it sounds. Anything silent or chirping: replace the battery, or the whole alarm if it is past its date.

Use a flashlight: feel supply lines and the shutoff valves, look for stains, warped cabinet floors or a toilet that rocks.

Run the AC or a dehumidifier in the basement or crawlspace; empty or drain the dehumidifier and clean its filter.

Look up your evacuation zone, refill water and check flashlight batteries, and fill prescriptions early.

Unplug the fridge, remove the bottom grille (or pull it out to reach rear coils) and vacuum with a brush attachment.

Pull furniture an inch off outside walls and leave closet doors open on humid days. Fix the moisture source before cleaning.

Use a deck or siding cleaner and a soft brush; low pressure only on siding.

Hold the test button until it sounds. Anything silent or chirping: replace the battery, or the whole alarm if it is past its date.

Lay a 2x4 flat under the door and close it. It should reverse on touching the board. Also wave something through the photo-eye beam while it closes.

With the system off, open the air-handler access panel if it is designed to open; check the pan is dry and the drain is clear. Leave coil cleaning to a technician.

Pop the metal filter out and soak it in hot water with dish soap and baking soda, or run it through the dishwasher if the maker allows.

Cut out cracked or moldy caulk, clean and dry the joint, and apply a bead of kitchen-and-bath silicone.

Turn off power at the outdoor disconnect, clear 2 feet around it, and gently hose the fins from inside out if the maker allows.

Hold the test button until it sounds. Anything silent or chirping: replace the battery, or the whole alarm if it is past its date.

Turn the system off, slide the filter out, and match the size printed on its edge. Arrow on the frame points toward the blower.

Plug in a lamp, press TEST (the lamp should go off), then RESET. If it does not trip, have an electrician replace it.

Walk the whole perimeter. Note anything lifted, missing or rusted and photograph it. Stay off the roof.

Find the cleanout tee near the indoor unit, pour in a cup of distilled vinegar, and check the outside end drips freely.

Check the generator (outdoors only) and that gutters are clear for heavy rain.

Twist out the filter at the bottom of the tub, rinse it under the tap and scrub gently with a soft brush.