Routine Maintenance Plan

Service HVAC Systems

Servicing your heating and cooling systems cleans its components to make the unit run more efficiently, which saves operating cost but most importantly it also extends its expected life. When your equipment isn’t running at 100%, it is putting more strain on all of the components and leading to a quicker decline and failure of your system. Routine service is also when seasonally used devices like humidifiers are turned on and off. Boilers, glycol radiant systems and purifiers are also services during these calls.

Clean Gutters

Gutters are designed to divert rainwater from your home and prevent serious issues that can be caused by water. In order for them to work properly it’s important that they are cleared of clogging debris. Serious damage that can be caused when gutters are clogged and therefore not working properly include:foundation damage, erosion and wash-out, basement flooding, peeling paint, ice dams and roof damage, rotting wood, mold, and heaving driveways, stone walls and walkways. Some of this damage can be extremely costly and invasive to your home, so cleaning your gutters is a quick and affordable way to prevent serious and expensive issues.

*If you have wood gutters they should be oiled roughly every two years.

Service Irrigation System

Irrigation lines must be blown out in the late fall to remove the water from your lines and prevent it from freezing and breaking over the winter. In the spring, the irrigation is turned back on and inspected for any winter damage to irrigation heads etc. Because your irrigation lines are buried throughout your yard, finding and repairing the cracks can be a disruptive and expensive process.

Clean Dryer Vents

Dryer vents present a fire hazard when they are not clean. Also, lint buildup will trap and prevent steam from being exhausted properly and reduce the effectiveness and efficiency of the unit. We suggest having dryer ducts professionally cleaned annually.

Service Generators

It is important to make sure your generator is serviced regularly to ensure that it actually works when you need it. Basic maintenance of your generator includes cleaning, changing the oil, replacing the oil and air filters, changing spark plugs and checking the batteries. Serviceis also important for reasons as simple as catching rodents that are attracted to the warmth before they chew any wires. Different generators and the amount they are used effect how often the generator should be serviced, but we typically recommend once to twice annually.

Inspect and Service Septic Systems

Septic systems are supposed to be pumped and inspected annually to confirm that there are no clogs or backups, and that the filters are in good working condition. While you can typically get away with waiting longer between service visits, what you risk is the system backing up and sending sewage back into the house (which from firsthand experience is not something you ever want to deal with).

Treat Septic with CCLS enzyme

Recommended roughly 4 times a year

Septic enzyme is easily added to your system and helps activate the waste to break down more effectively.

Service Sump Pumps, Ejector Pumps & Battery Backup

Sump pumps protect your house from groundwater entering your basement, and it is important to maintain them to make sure they are working when you need them.

Service Alarm Systems (includes smoke/CO detectors)

Alarm systems do need to be maintained from simple tasks like changing batteries to system updates and changing smoke detectors.

Inspect and Clean Fireplaces and Chimneys

Assuring your wood burning fireplaces are clean and functioning properly is imperative to preventing fire hazards and harmful gasses from entering your home. If smoke and gasses are not venting properly through the chimney than they can escape back into the house, sometimes unnoticed, causing hazardous air quality issues.

Appliance Maintenance

Appliances have filters and components that need to be cleaned or changed in order to operate efficiently. More efficient operation helps prolong the lifespan of your appliances, and also helps shave some money off of electrical bills.

Service Pools, Spas & Hot Tubs

Pools and spas need to be opened in the Spring and closed/winterized in the Fall. Routine service and maintenance is also recommended to ensure proper operation and chemical balance.

Add Salt to Water Softener

Water softener’s work by running your water through a chamber with a salt softener which dissolves over time and needs to be replenished. Typically, this needs to be done 1-3 times a year depending on the system.

Service Fire / Sprinkler Systems

Routine inspections check for proper pressures in sprinkler systems and visual inspections of heads.

Inspect & Service Elevators and Car Lifts

Routine inspections and maintenance are recommended to ensure safe and reliable operation.

Soft Wash Exterior

Keeping your home’s exterior free of natural debris is not just an aesthetic issue, it is a long-term maintenance problem. Organic debris like dirt, algae and surface mold will significantly increase the rate at which building materials deteriorate, leading to more expensive repairs such as painting or rot. We recommend a softwash that will safely and effectively clean your siding and roof without the damaging effects of a pressure washer.

Power Wash Patios and Walks

This is more of an aesthetic issue than necessary maintenance, but annual power washing of stone walks, patios and walls keeps them looking their best.

Clean Windows

Although this is mostly an aesthetic maintenance item, natural buildup does increase the rate of deterioration of paint, wood mullions and rubber gaskets on your windows so an exterior clean is recommended

Move Patio Furniture

Coda will coordinate to assure your patio is put away and/or covered and then set back up how you want it and at the time of year that works best for you. We can also set up for cleanings and repairs as you see fit.

Service & Clean Outdoor Grills

A full clean and service of your grill from top to bottom ensures that it is working properly and ready for your Spring and Summer cookouts.

Pest Control

We recommend an annual plan that comes with 3-4 automatic preventative visits and unlimited call-backs for covered pests. These measures include bait stations in unfinished areas of the house, and a child & pet safe exterior foundation spray to prevent crawling insects.We strongly recommend being preventative with pest control even if you haven’t seen signs of pests, as they can cause damage before showing any noticeable signs of being there. Our standard pest plan includes the following pests:

Common ants, mice, rats, cockroaches, centipedes, millipedes, ground beetles, silverfish, crickets, earwigs, sow bugs / pill bugs, common spiders, accessible nests of stinging insects up to 25 feet high (excludes carpenter bees and honey bees).

Stone Tile and Grout Sealing and Maintenance

Marble and other natural stone materials need to be monitored and re-sealed every couple of years due to their porous nature. This treatment will prevent discoloration and yellowing by keeping moisture from seeping into the stone and interacting with the minerals. We highly recommend doing this relatively affordable maintenance to prolong the life of expensive stone. At the same time your tile grout and caulking will be inspected for repair and maintenance.

Clean and Vacuum Ductwork, Registers and Grills

This will improve indoor air quality and we recommend cleaning the ductwork, registers and grills at least once every two to three years. Dust, allergens and mold spores will build up in your ducts over time and then get blown throughout the house when your HVAC systems turns on. Proper cleaning requires a special vacuum with a “rotobrush head” that dislodges the buildup from the duct walls.

Swap Storm and Screen Windows (fall & spring)

While most modern windows no longer require swapping of storm and screen windows, some still do, especially in convertible all season porches.

Order Firewood (annually)

When ordering firewood, the most common options you will find are “Kiln Dried” and “Air Dried”.

Kiln Dried Firewood, as the name implies, consists of drying the wood through a heating process that removes more water than air dried wood, making for an easier to light wood fire. There is no need to worry about insects as the kiln-drying process removes them. We recommend that you store the Kiln Dried firewood under a tarp or cover, in a dry area with plenty of ventilation.

Air Dried Firewood ordered through us is naturally seasoned outdoors. A combination of sun and wind evaporate the moisture until suitable for burning. It is not recommended that air dried firewood is stored inside as it is not possible to guarantee there are no insects inside the wood.

Snow Plowing and Shoveling

Set up your plowing contract far in advance to ensure the best rates and proper route placement. We will make sure that your driveway is properly marked prior to first snow, confirm your preferences for shoveling and salting, and work out specialty requests like a fiberglass plow blade for houses with at risk cobblestones, and roof shoveling etc.

Test, Clean and Repair Exterior Landscaping Light Fixtures / Bulbs

Either a member of the Coda team or your regular landscaper will walk through your property to inspect landscaping lights. We will replace dead bulbs, clean and fix fixtures as needed, and bring in an electrician if necessary.

Routine Landscaping Services

Routine landscaping services cover a wide variety of a-la-carte options including standard mowing, pruning of plantings and small trees, edging and mulching of planting beds, fall leaf debris cleanup, and spring debris cleanup. If you are interested we will walk the property with our trusted professionals and get proposals with recommended scope and pricing.

Lawn Fertilizer & Nourishment Plan

Fertilization of your lawn is an important part in keeping it green and healthy. This can fall within your routine landscaping plan or exist separately on its own. We will create a proposal specific to your property with our fertilization specialist.

Tree Care and Tree Fertilizer & Nourishment Plan

Similar to lawn fertilization, trees often need supplemental nutrients to thrive, and special treatments to ward off local diseases and insects. We will create a proposal specific to your property with our tree care specialist.

Install Holiday Decorations

Holiday decorations we have helped with in the past include sourcing and/or installing holiday specific decorations including Christmas lights, garlands and wreaths; Christmas trees; holiday flowers (interior) and planters; and yard decorations.

Interior and Exterior Vase / Planter Based Plant Care Rotation

A floral designer works with you to develop a style/design for your flowers, then delivers the arrangements to the house and can even maintain/water them for you for hassle free flowers.