If you spend all the time and money it takes to purchase a home, you’ll want to do all you can to make sure that home stays in good repair for as long as you occupy its space. Keeping up with the maintenance on your home will also work to save you money over time.
You won’t have to pay to replace the big-ticket items in your home as often or as soon when you take the necessary steps to preserve their condition. Take a few moments now to read through a brief look at some home maintenance tips you’ll want to follow in order to be a responsible homeowner.
Monthly home maintenance routines
There are things around your home that you should do regularly every month. If you’re new to homeownership, consider these tasks each month to maintain the integrity of your house.
- Check the HVAC filter (and change if dirty).
- Clean out the sink disposal.
- Spray for pests to avoid termite damage in your home.
- Inspect your fire extinguisher.
- Test the auto-reverse function on your garage door.
- Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors.
What to check annually on your home
Winter – Check for air leaks around doors and windows to keep your home warm and your energy costs down during the winter. Keep an eye out for ice buildup around your home that may cause damage to the exterior of the structure.
Spring – Get your HVAC unit ready to combat the heat of the summer. Consider having it serviced at least once per year. Check and clean residual debris from your gutters, and give the garden a little pick-me-up.
Summer – Get outside in the sunshine to look over the integrity of your deck and other parts of your home. Check that all your plumbing is functioning with ease, and clean the exterior portion of your dryer vent. Lint buildup is a fire hazard.
Fall – When the leaves fall in the Autumn, your gutters can get mucked up. Inspect and clean out your gutters. Consider installing a leaf gutter guard to prevent damage to your roof. Flush out the hot water heater to remove excess sediment buildup. Clean out your chimney for warm nights by the fire, and check your sump pump to keep the basement dry.
Look at these things every couple of years
You should test your hot water heater’s pressure release valve every two years. It’s good to know it will work in the case of an emergency. Check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and vacuum the dust off of your refrigerator coils.
Take steps to defend against water
Water is your home interior’s worst enemy. More homes deal with damage from water than any other perpetrator. Also, understand the maintenance and function of your home’s sump pump to protect against basement water leaks.
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