Be a Handy Woman -- Women & Aging Letter -- Vol 5, Number 3

The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University
National Program on Women & Aging
Women & Aging Letter
Excerpt - Summer/Fall 2001

Be a Handy Woman
Volume 5, Number 3
Keeping our home safe, functional, accessible, comfortable, and pleasant becomes increasingly important as we age. Women traditionally relinquish home maintenance and repair responsibilities to men. But as more women become heads of households, this tendency is changing. Susan Lanspery, Ph.D. has written a guidebook for the Center, The Handy Women's Help Book, to help women take an active role in home maintenance, repair, and modifications. Readers receive helpful information on home systems and structures and ways to make your home safe and sound. And they are encouraged to make their own repairs.
This issue of the Women & Aging Letter draws on The Handy Women's Help Book and other resources to help women maintain all systems in their homes. Some of the content is specific to those who live in houses, but we hope that all readers will benefit from the information and will feel inspired to take an active role in the upkeep of their home.

Getting Started
Just how difficult is it to learn more about and undertake home maintenance and repair? You don't have to read every book, learn how to do everything, or completely modify your home. Think of the change as a two-step process:

Increase your knowledge and willingness to take on a previously hands-off challenge.

Take action. Tackle a small project. Incorporate your new knowledge into home related decisions. For example, when you have to replace a door, consider doing it yourself and purchasing a door with easy-to-use lever handles. When you have to install or replace a light switch, consider doing it yourself and purchase a switch that's convenient to operate.

How do you get there from here? Developing competence in any new area requires increased experience and knowledge. The biggest obstacle may be your attitude. If you feel intimidated and mystified, it is harder to make progress. The #1 Rule of Home Repair is maintain your sense of humor! “McCormick's Law states that whenever anyone tries to do something mechanical for the first time, she or he will have no luck, and almost everything that can go wrong will...You must plan for the frustration. Allow twice as much time as you think the job will take....You must be calm. I call this the ‘carpenter alpha state.’” (from Dale McCormick's House Mending: Home Repair for the Rest of Us.)
If you are just starting out, work on a small project first. But never tackle any home repair or modification project on your own unless you are knowledgeable about the systems you are working with and are comfortable with the activity. Safety is more important than doing it on your own.

Routine Maintenance
Home systems and structures need regular maintenance to prevent problems, not only attention when they are not working properly. Whether you are doing the maintenance and repairs or hiring professionals, be aware of important safety issues. Understand the purpose of maintenance chores and the consequences of ignoring them. For example, clogged gutters can lead to structural damage.

Since fall is upon us, we present a list of typical maintenance chores for the season. They can be adjusted according to a house's needs and geographical location. Some chores can be dangerous, so if you're not confident in your experience and skills, get advice and help from an expert. Each season of the year comes with its own set of chores.

HOME MAINTENANCE CHART #1:
FALL SEASON

CHORE PURPOSE & CONSEQUENCES

Check & clean gutters & down spouts

If these are clogged or damaged, overflowing or seeping water could seriously damage roof, walls. Tip: Install gutter screens or caps that keep out leaves, twigs. etc.

Drain outdoor faucets

Protect from freezing (frozen water pipes can cause extensive damage).

Recaulk windows, doors, siding; replace worn weather-stripping

Keep water and cold air out, warm air in. (Keep inside air comfortable, prevent moisture damage).

Check & clean chimney

Prevent chimney fires.

Clean & tune oil heating system & heat pumps. (Gas heating & central Air Conditioning: every 2 years)

Increase energy efficiency (costs & pollutes less), detect problems early, prevent other problems. Many full service companies offer reasonably priced maintenance contracts to clients.

Open & close main & secondary water valves; turn main & secondary circuit breakers on & off.

Check for & help prevent corrosion & sticking. In case of emergency, you want these valves & switches to function smoothly.

HOME MAINTENANCE CHART #2:
WINTER, SPRING, AND SUMMER

SEASON CHORE PURPOSE & CONSEQUENCES

Winter
Check basement for leaks, seepage during thaws

Water entering adds moisture to the house, damages items in basement, has potential to cause wood rot and damage to foundation itself. Tip: improve drainage outside to prevent leaks.

Spring

Check around foundation for insects, wood rot

Catch problems before they spread.

Spring
Check roof for damaged shingles

Water coming through damaged shingles can cause wood rot throughout the house & damage electrical systems or equipment.

Spring
Check underside of roof (in attic) for water stains

Stains indicate a leak. This can cause wood rot throughout the house, & damage electrical systems or equipment.

Spring
Check siding, trim, windows

Watch for peeling paint, splintering wood, stains (possible sign of water damage).

Summer
Trim back trees & shrubs around house

Dense vegetation, limbs, & ivy can damage roof & siding; give pests access to house; and encourage illegal entry.

HOME MAINTENANCE CHART #3:
YEAR-ROUND

CHORE PURPOSE & CONSEQUENCES

Inspect electrical cords for wear

Brittle or cracked electrical cords are fire hazards.

Inspect washer hoses & dryer vent system

Brittle or cracked hoses mean a leak is near; a vent blocked with lint is a fire hazard and reduces your machine's efficiency.

Test ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)

Push test button (most have one) to trip built-in circuit interrupter. Press reset button to return to normal. If GFCI doesn't operate properly, replace.

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CHORE	PURPOSE & CONSEQUENCES
Check & clean gutters & down spouts	If these are clogged or damaged, overflowing or seeping water could seriously damage roof, walls. Tip: Install gutter screens or caps that keep out leaves, twigs. etc.
Drain outdoor faucets	Protect from freezing (frozen water pipes can cause extensive damage).
Recaulk windows, doors, siding; replace worn weather-stripping	Keep water and cold air out, warm air in. (Keep inside air comfortable, prevent moisture damage).
Check & clean chimney	Prevent chimney fires.
Clean & tune oil heating system & heat pumps. (Gas heating & central Air Conditioning: every 2 years)	Increase energy efficiency (costs & pollutes less), detect problems early, prevent other problems. Many full service companies offer reasonably priced maintenance contracts to clients.
Open & close main & secondary water valves; turn main & secondary circuit breakers on & off.	Check for & help prevent corrosion & sticking. In case of emergency, you want these valves & switches to function smoothly.

SEASON	CHORE	PURPOSE & CONSEQUENCES
Winter	Check basement for leaks, seepage during thaws	Water entering adds moisture to the house, damages items in basement, has potential to cause wood rot and damage to foundation itself. Tip: improve drainage outside to prevent leaks.
Spring	Check around foundation for insects, wood rot	Catch problems before they spread.
Spring	Check roof for damaged shingles	Water coming through damaged shingles can cause wood rot throughout the house & damage electrical systems or equipment.
Spring	Check underside of roof (in attic) for water stains	Stains indicate a leak. This can cause wood rot throughout the house, & damage electrical systems or equipment.
Spring	Check siding, trim, windows	Watch for peeling paint, splintering wood, stains (possible sign of water damage).
Summer	Trim back trees & shrubs around house	Dense vegetation, limbs, & ivy can damage roof & siding; give pests access to house; and encourage illegal entry.

CHORE	PURPOSE & CONSEQUENCES
Inspect electrical cords for wear	Brittle or cracked electrical cords are fire hazards.
Inspect washer hoses & dryer vent system	Brittle or cracked hoses mean a leak is near; a vent blocked with lint is a fire hazard and reduces your machine's efficiency.
Test ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)	Push test button (most have one) to trip built-in circuit interrupter. Press reset button to return to normal. If GFCI doesn't operate properly, replace.