You've finally

done it you've just moved into your brand new home. The smell of fresh

paint still permeates the air. You're likely consumed with unpacking,

setting up furnishings, rearranging, decorating energized by the blank

pallet you have to work with. But once you've signed the thick pile of

closing documents, the moving trucks have left and everything is neatly

in its place, what do you do next? It's time to get a handle on the routine

maintenance you'll need to perform in order to ensure that you and your

family live comfortably in your new home for years to come. Here's some

advice to get you started and help save money while you're at it:

Maintaining

a clean home ensures that it lasts longer and works better. Dust and dirt,

if allowed to accumulate, can harm the finishes on blinds, cabinets, countertops,

floors, sinks, tubs, toilets, walls, tiles and other items. If dirt does

accumulate, make sure to clean it with a substance that does not scratch

or damage the finishes.

On the outside

of your home, make sure that gutters and downspouts do not get clogged

with leaves or other objects. The exterior of your house is built to withstand

exposure to the elements, but a periodic cleaning will improve the appearance

and, in many instances, prolong the life of siding and other exterior

products.

When you bought

your home, you probably received a warranty from the builder on workmanship

and materials. This warranty applies to problems related to the construction

of the home, but it does not apply to problems that arise because of failure

to perform routine maintenance. For example, if your roof begins to leak

after six months because of faulty workmanship, your warranty would cover

that. If you develop a problem because water backed up in clogged gutters

that you should have cleaned, the builder is not responsible for repairs.

Also, some items, such as appliances, may be covered by manufacturers'

warranties and are not the responsibility of the builder.

You should

fully familiarize yourself with the terms of your warranty soon after

you move into your home. With all the excitement surrounding a move into

a new home, most people have little desire to curl up in front of the

fireplace and read a legal document. Nonetheless, you should not wait

to read your warranty until a problem arises. Set aside an hour to learn

what responsibilities are from the outset.

Here are some

additional tips for properly maintaining specific systems in your new

home.

Heating and cooling systems

Late summer

or early fall are the ideal time to do an annual inspection and cleaning

of these systems.

Make sure

you change the filters every three months.

Keeping your

pilot light burning during the summer will help keep the furnace dry and

prevent corrosion.

Registers

help regulate the flow of air and maintain the desired temperature in

your home. Keeping registers closed in rooms you don't use will save on

cooling/heating costs.

Using heat

generating appliances in the evening and reducing the number of lights

on will help keep the temperature down and save on costs during the summer.

Plumbing

Every member of your

family should know where the intake valves are located. Label each one.

If any of

your appliances develops a leak, inspect your drain trap. A partially

clogged drain can cause overflow. Use a plunger or a plumber's snake to

unclog the drain. If you need to, use boiling water to help unclog a partially

opened drain. Call a plumber if these techniques don't work.

A worn washer,

a loose part in a faucet or steam in a hot water pipe generally causes

a noisy pipe. Do not hesitate to repair the noise because vibrations can

follow the noise and lead to leaks.

Driveways

If you have

an asphalt driveway, remove oil, gasoline and similar substances immediately

with soapy water.

To avoid holes

in your asphalt driveway, refrain from resting patio furniture or bicycle

stands on it.

Do not burn

anything on your driveway.

When winter

weather produces ice and snow, remove it promptly and avoid gouging your

pavement while chipping away at ice.

Use kitty

litter or sand for traction on tough patches of ice. Thawing and freezing

agents using salt and chemicals can damage concrete, brick, mortar and

asphalt. Salt will kill grass, shrubs and trees as well and wreaks havoc

on leather-soled shoes.

Gutters and downspouts

Clear away

leaves, tree limbs and other debris from gutters and downspouts.

Downspouts

should be turned away from your home's foundation.

Every four

to six years, paint gutters that are not made of aluminum or vinyl to

help prevent rest.

Remember to

read the instruction manual for every appliance in your new home. The

manuals provide recommended cleaning and maintenance schedules and sometimes

your warranty will become void if you don't follow these recommendations.

(Chad Floyd,

who is with Chadwick Homes, is president of the Home Builders Association

of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 550 builders

and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Heard, Meriwether,

Pike, Upson, Lamar, Butts and Jasper counties.)

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