As a homeowner, you know that there’s always something that needs to be fixed or updated. Whether it’s a simple repair, like changing a lightbulb, or a more complex project, like painting the kitchen, home maintenance is essential to keeping your house in tip-top shape.
Home maintenance may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! By taking care of your home and keeping up with repairs, you can prevent bigger problems down the road. Plus, regular maintenance will help keep your home looking its best.
Here are 10 easy steps for maintaining your home:
1. Keep up with routine cleaning.
Sweep, mop, and vacuum regularly to prevent dirt and dust build-up. This will also help extend the life of your floors. Don’t forget to clean windows, ledges, and other surfaces too. With a cleaning schedule, you can keep your home looking great with minimal effort.
2. Check for signs of pests.
Pests like rodents and insects can not only be a nuisance, but they can also cause damage to your home. Inspect the exterior of your home regularly for any cracks or openings that could let pests inside. Be sure to check attics, basements, and crawl spaces too. If you do see signs of pests, contact a professional for help.
3. Check for leaks.
Leaks can cause major damage to your home if left unchecked. Check under sinks, in the attic, and around windows and doors for any signs of water damage.
4. Inspect your gutters.
Gutters play an important role in keeping your home dry by channeling water away from the foundation. Check them regularly for leaves and debris, and clean them out as needed.
5. Test your smoke detectors.
Smoke detectors are an important safety feature in any home. Test them monthly to ensure they’re working properly, and change the batteries at least once a year.
6. Change furnace filters.
Furnace filters should be changed every few months to maintain efficiency and prevent dirt and dust from circulating through your home.
7. Trim trees and shrubs.
Trees and shrubs should be trimmed regularly to prevent them from damaging your home or blocking gutters and drains. Landscaping also provides an opportunity to check for signs of pests so be sure to sign up for lawn maintenance service.
8. Inspect your roof.
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, so it’s important to keep it in good condition. Have it inspected at least once a year for any signs of damage, and repair or replace shingles as needed.
9. Clean out your dryer vent.
A clogged dryer vent can be a fire hazard. Clean it out regularly to prevent lint build-up.
10. Check for carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly if inhaled. Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home, and check it regularly to make sure it’s working properly.
There you have it!
By following these simple steps, you can keep your home in top shape and avoid costly repairs down the road!
Yes, a clean furnace filter is more important than it may seem. In addition to poor air quality, dirty filters can cause many problem with furnace, including cold air blowing from the vents. A switch can get tripped on some furnaces if the filter is too dirty and enough air cannot get through. The switch shuts off the burners so they do not overheat due to the air not being moved efficiently enough.
So if you have such a problem, you can easily solve it by simply replacing the filter!
When it comes to furnace maintenance, cleaning filters is not the only thing. There are some other parts of your furnace you should keep clean: https://escoutah.com/how-to-keep-your-furnace-clean-with-five-simple-tips/.
Pay attention to this! Cleaning and maintaining your heating system improves efficiency and provides good air quality in your home.
If you have a swimming pool, another thing you should always remember is to properly maintain it. Pool maintenance is required even during winter months when you don’t use your pool. Neglecting this can lead to problems such as algae, a chemical imbalance of water, and broken equipment.
I’m leaving a guide to closing the pool here in case you might need it: https://www.discountsaltpool.com/guide-maintaining-saltwater-pool-winter.
Good advice, it is worth checking your home for such faults. Also, you should keep your house and yard clean and you will need things like dustbins and containers. Now companies like smashdesign have a wide range of such products to include in the interior.
Thank you for sharing this article! By the way, plumbing leaks can be caused by a clogged showerhead. That’s why you may need to clean it from time to time.
For this, arefully remove the showerhead and place it in a container of vinegar to soak. You can also fill a bag with vinegar and secure it tightly around the showerhead without removing it, ensuring all of the holes are submerged. Let the showerhead soak for several hours or overnight.
When you remove the bag, turn on the shower and run hot water through the showerhead. This can help push out any remaining mineral deposits.
Oh yes. Leaks may cause huge property damage!
If you have a tank water heater, you should always remember to inspect it for leaks. If it gets a leak, that could cause a huge mess and water damage.
By the way, on-demand water heaters don’t have that risk, since there’s no tank that holds water. The on-demand water heater could only cause about as much damage as a leaky faucet, so you don’t have to worry about a catastrophe!
Yes, plumbing leaks should be fixed immediately! Thank you for mentioning this. But the thing is, some leaks can be challenging to detect. You may not see them, which can go on for a long time, wasting your water and money. That’s why you need to know the subtle signs of the leaks: https://servicetoday247.com/how-to-find-a-plumbing-leak/.
Yes, it’s important to change the furnace filter regularly. A dirty filter will not only reduce its efficiency, but dirt also finds its way onto all parts inside, including sensitive electronics and heating elements, increasing the chances of a fire.
As for pests, you should also inspect air ducts in your home regularly. Different types of pests like living in them. This is especially true for dirty air ducts, which makes regular duct cleaning necessary. Pests carry in dander and leave droppings, which get into your airstream, spreading diseases like the hantavirus. That’s why you should remember to inspect air ducts from time to time and clean if needed.
You should also check your windows for air leaks.
On average, 25% of your energy bill is caused by insufficient windows. They may be outdated, poorly installed, or simply not as energy efficient as you’d like. Depending on your budget, you can update your windows by sealing them or completely replace them. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures in winter and summer, consider thermally broken windows as an alternative to traditional options.
Performing annual HVAC maintenance is another thing you should never forget. And it’s not only about replacing filters. For annual maintenance, it’s better to hire an HVAC technician. He will check the circuits, safety controls, drain line, condensate pump, and all caps and valves as well. In addition, electrical components will be inspected for signs of wear or damage and replaced to prevent sparking or failure.
A poorly-maintained HVAC system can cause decreased indoor air quality, high bills, frequent breakdowns, and uneven temperatures in your home.
Replacing furnace filters is only one of many things to do. Also, remember to clear space around the outdoor units, clean the burners and lubricate all parts. Once a year, consider hiring a professional HVAC contractor for a complete check-up.