When you think about the long list of home maintenance and repairs you must keep up with, it can all seem very daunting. However, much like your car requires regular maintenance and repairs to keep getting you to and from your destinations safely, your home must be maintained as well. At the end of the day, it will save you a lot of money and frustration down the road.
So, how does one keep their home in tip-top shape and avoid the frustration? By keeping up with these maintenance tasks listed below:
Conduct Whole-House Cleanings
A clean house is a healthy and safe environment. While you may be used to doing weekly chores and cleanings, periodically, you need to do a deep clean of your entire house. This includes purging items you don’t need to free up space as well as cleaning the windows, doors, walls, countertops, hard surfaces, floors, and appliances. Take a weekend and make it a family affair to get through it a bit faster.
Maintain Household Appliances
From the washer and dryer to the refrigerator and stove, your household appliances make everyday tasks a lot easier to accomplish. To maintain their efficiency and function, they must all be maintained. The refrigerator coils, for example, get clogged up with dust and debris. To prevent it from overworking, you want to vacuum the coils. Your dryer vents need to be cleared out to reduce the likelihood of a buildup of lint and a household fire. You may also need to periodically change small parts to keep the appliances running efficiently.
Inspect Household Systems
Your heating, cooling, plumbing, gas, and electrical systems need to be inspected on a regular basis for common problems. Your HVAC system has air filters that need to be replaced every 2-3 months. The air vents also need to be cleared regularly. You should also schedule seasonal repairs and maintenance for your HVAC system. Schedule air conditioning repair and maintenance in the spring and heating repairs and maintenance in the fall so that you’re prepared for the extreme temperatures of winter and summer.
As for plumbing, you want to check for leaks, cracks, or damaged pipes that need to be repaired. A quick dye test can let you know right away if there are any cracks present where the pipes are hidden. You’ll also need to flush your hot water heater to remove sediment and minerals which can cause corrosion and leaks.
Though a high-quality electrical system can remain intact for more than 20 years, this is a household system you don’t want to overlook. Faulty wiring, damage from pests, or even increased use of electricity without the necessary voltage to support it could cause a house fire. Those who live in older homes where the electrical systems are older should definitely have it inspected by a professional electrician at least once every 2-3 years.
Lastly, be sure that you check your gas or any gas appliances for leaks. You can sometimes detect a leak based on the smell, but not in all cases. Therefore, you should make sure that you have your gas detectors installed on every floor of your home. You can also invest in a handheld gas meter which you can use to check appliances for leaks.
Exterior Home Maintenance
Your home maintenance checklist doesn’t stop with the property’s interior, you must also maintain the exterior of your residence. You should inspect your roof and gutter system at least once every season for damage. Check your siding, brick, stone, or wood for problems every few months (particularly just before winter as this is when the most damage can be done to the exterior of your home).
Along with cutting the grass and tending to your garden, you also want to take care of the trees on your property. Trees are nice to look at, great for shade, but they can be a real problem if they’re not well-maintained. Overgrown trees can damage your roof, break windows, or provide easy access for animals to find their way into your chimney. Dead or rotting trees can easily be knocked over in a storm causing a bad accident on your property or an unsuspecting passerby. Either trim and cut trees yourself or hire an arborist to do it for you.
The maintenance tasks listed above are extensive (and this is only a portion of what needs to be done), however, they need to be completed in order to keep your property in tip-top shape. To make things easier, create a checklist and set reminders on your calendars and enlist the help of friends, family members, or contractors to keep your home intact.
Speak Your Mind