Most of us dedicate years of our income to a home purchase. Whether you are a new homeowner or have owned a home for many years, you need to invest a little time and money into maintenance. That way you can protect the money you invested in the property and prevent significant problems.
With that said, many people do not do enough to maintain their homes. Some people don’t act until a repair problem becomes apparent. By then, you’ve already missed the opportunity to limit damage and cut the cost of repairs. In some cases, missed repairs can be a safety issue for people in the home.
What types of tasks should homeowners do to protect their homes? Read on for a few home maintenance tips.
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It Starts With a Clean Home
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Keeping a clean home is at the core of maintaining the property. Along with just making it look nicer, a clean home will be easier to maintain. For one, it will be easier to notice small issues when the house is clean. Some cleaning tasks can also help with maintaining different components of the home.
Develop a cleaning schedule for your house. Of course, there are daily cleaning tasks you should perform, but you should have a weekly cleaning checklist for things like vacuuming, mopping, emptying trash and cleaning countertops. You should also plan for monthly cleaning tasks and perform a deeper spring cleaning.
Build a Basic Toolkit
Having a kit with the basic tools is another key to home maintenance. Without the necessary tools, you won’t be able to do most of your home maintenance. A hammer, a set of screwdrivers, and an adjustable wrench are the basic essentials. However, you should try to have more than that. Get a tape measure, a level, a saw, and pliers. A cordless drill and a socket set can also expand the possibilities. Supplies like glues, tapes, and lubricants can also be useful.
Fire Safety Tasks
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Fire safety is an important part of maintaining your home. More importantly, it is a matter of safety for you and your family. The first step is to test your smoke detectors at least once a month. You should also check the batteries twice a year. If you hear the low-battery signal, you should change the batteries. You should also remember that smoke detectors only last for around ten years.
Homeowners also need to make sure to keep a fire extinguisher in an accessible place in the home. You should also check the fire extinguisher annually and have it changed or charged when necessary. A reliable fire extinguisher can make a big difference if you have a fire in your home.
Inspect Your Plumbing
Issues with home plumbing are almost inevitable if you own a home long enough. Drains get clogged, and pipes leak. It’s part of life. However, you can prevent significant issues and protect against water damage with a little work. One important step in this regard is to check your plumbing annually. Go to each drain and make sure water goes down easily. Look at the pipes under sinks to see if there are leaks. Fix dripping faucets when you see them. Owning a plunger and snake could also be useful.
Clean and Inspect Gutters
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So many homeowners fail to realize how important their roof gutters are. Gutters do a lot to protect the home. Roof gutters channel water off the roof and send it to a safe location where it won’t cause damage. When gutters are clogged or have leaks, it can risk water damage to components of the home.
The first tip for your gutters is to clean them at least once a year. Depending on where you live, you might need to do it twice a year. While you are cleaning the gutters, you should also look for signs of damage. Look for holes or places where the gutters may be loose.
Maintain the Yard
Homeowners should also keep up with their yard work. Poor landscaping practices can affect the home. It can also be tough to deal with landscaping if you let it go for a long time. Start with cutting your grass weekly during the growing season. Edging around the driveway and walkways can also be helpful. You should trim bushes and shrubs. If there are large trees on the property, you should make sure to prune the branches when necessary.
HVAC Maintenance
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Don’t take your heating and air conditioning for granted. If you don’t care for these systems, they will fail. You don’t want your heat to break down during the coldest part of winter. Repairs also tend to be more expensive during the usage season for these components. Along with that, your heater and air conditioner can be more efficient and reliable if you take the time to maintain them.
One of the basic steps is to check the filter once a month and change it when necessary. The filter protects the system from dirt and dust in the air. You should also clean your air conditioner at least once a year. Hiring a professional to check and tune the system once a year is also a good idea.
Inspect Your Roof
The roof is another part of the home many people forget to check. It isn’t until you see signs of a leak that you consider checking it out. By then, there has probably been a problem for months. The first step is to look at the condition of the roof’s surface. Look at the shingles to see if any are missing or damaged. You could also look for leaks in your attic or signs like water stains on ceilings. Catching these issues early can save you a lot of money on repairs.
Consider a Home Warranty
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A home warranty might be another option to help with maintaining your home. Home warranty coverage provides basic protection for things like appliances and home systems. However, coverage does vary depending on the warranty policy and its provider. If an appliance breaks down, the warranty could cover repairs or replacement. It can be a good way to save money if anything happens to something like your air conditioner or refrigerator. Some warranties even come with basic maintenance services to extend the life of covered systems and appliances.
Follow these tips to protect your home from damage and major repairs. You should also consider hiring professionals for some of these tasks. They have the tools and skills to do the work more efficiently than most homeowners. Along with that, contractors carry insurance to cover any damage that may occur when they are working.
