“Find out the top eight best maintenance tips for every homeowner that will save you money and effort.”
Owning a home comes with a sense of pride and responsibility. But, maintaining your home is vital to providing a safe and comfortable environment while preserving its value.
The truth is that many people often overlook several important home maintenance tasks, as home maintenance may seem intimidating and overwhelming, especially if you are a first-time homeowner like me.
Being a first-time homeowner myself, when I first moved in, I had no idea how to carry out my first home inspection, and I had to look for a Home Inspector Company in Columbia, SC, because it was quite a challenge.
Home maintenance often slips our minds as it can be challenging to keep track of things while also trying to balance other aspects of our lives, but with minimal effort, you can keep your house in good shape.
Consistent home maintenance will save you money when the time for repair arises and can be rewarding in the long run. You can usually perform these home maintenance tasks independently without prior experience.
In this article, I have curated the top ten best maintenance tips to maintain your home’s value, run at low cost, and stay structurally sound.
1). Gutter maintenance
The best way to keep water away from your home’s foundation is to keep your gutters clean. I never really liked clearing my gutters until I found out it could help me save money on replacement gutters. An unclogged gutter can overflow and even break, damaging the roof itself.
Gutters full of debris won’t function well and can lead to costly water damage. You should check and properly clean your gutter to clear out waste, seal any leaks, and replace damaged gutters. You can also consider installing gutter guards for added protection.
You should gut your gutter at least twice a year, especially during spring and fall. You can also check your gutters after heavy rain to make sure they are free of clogs and downspouts.
2). Roof maintenance
Protecting your house from the weather is a primary responsibility of your roof. Examining your roof and checking for damages periodically will keep your roof intact.
If you clean your gutter regularly, you are already on your way to preventing roof damage. Inspect your roof regularly to check for missing shingles, cracks, or signs of damage and address these issues promptly. Fix any roof damage quickly to prevent water infiltration and potential structural problems.
A qualified roofer can also help inspect your roof every three years. You should ensure your skylights are properly inspected every time you check your roof so that the cracks and interruptions around the flashings, seals, and linings don’t develop leaks.
3). Plumbing maintenance
A well-maintained plumbing system prevents leaks, ensures proper drainage, and maintains water quality.
If your plumbing system is left unattended, water leaks can cause significant damage, such as mold growth. Regularly inspect your plumbing system for leaks, including taps, toilets, and pipes. Fixing the leaks in your plumbing system will save you money, especially on your water bill, and prevent further damage to your home.
Practice drain cleaning and maintenance and also the inspection of your water heater. Consider installing water leak detectors for added peace of mind.
4). HVAC maintenance
Homeowners can’t fake a well-maintained HVAC unit, as your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning play a crucial role in maintaining comfort year-round. Proper maintenance of your HVAC unit is essential for indoor air quality and ensures energy efficiency.
To ensure top performance, you should change your air filters regularly, typically one to three months.
Schedule annual or bi-annual HVAC maintenance, inspect and tune up your HVAC system, as this will extend equipment life and help identify and address issues early.
This maintenance will also help protect your family’s health and safety from hazardous gases from the furnace’s heat exchange.
5). Landscaping and lawn maintenance
An exterior that is well maintained will not only make your house aesthetically pleasing but will contribute to its overall value.
While watering your garden/plants regularly is essential, you must also clean them regularly. Do wait until a storm is forecast to take care of your lawn. Maintain your lawn by regularly mowing and watering. Prune trees and shrubs and watch for pests or diseases that can harm your landscaping. Dead trees or diseased branches will cause your injury and the risk of property damage.
Trim trees bushes and maintain your lawn to prevent overgrowth and maintain a tidy appearance.
6). Exterior Painting and Siding Maintenance
Let’s face it, most of us judge a book by its cover when it comes to houses. Touching your home curbs with a fresh coat of paint will add curb appeal points and protect it from moisture and wood rot.
Repairing and repainting will protect your home’s exterior to prevent deterioration while maintaining its visual appeal.
Periodic cleanings such as power washing your siding and decks to remove dirt and mildew will help lengthen the life of your siding and other exterior products.
8). Interior Care Maintenance
Maintaining the interior of your home contributes to a comfortable and healthy living environment.
Regularly clean and dust surfaces, floors, and furniture, and most importantly, inspect your bedroom to prevent dust buildup and maintain indoor air quality. You should also check and replace caulking around your windows and floors.
8). Safety and security maintenance
Prioritizing safety is crucial for every homeowner. In the unpredictable landscape of life, it is important to be prepared for anything, significantly if it can affect your family’s and home’s safety.
You can develop a plan that outlines actions to take during emergencies, such as natural disasters. Regularly check for alarms and circuit breakers. If you have a home security system, make sure to inspect all the sensors one by one and consider outdoor lighting.
If you have children or pets, take steps to childproof your home and ensure their safety.
Pro Tip – Establish a regular maintenance routine.
Creating and establishing regular inspections are vital for identifying prospective problems in your homes before they escalate into costly repairs. It involves you examining your home from the inside to the exterior. It serves as a prospective measure to identify problems at early stages.
Establishing regular inspections is not just about maintaining the appearance of your home; it is about protecting your investment, as regular and proper inspections can enhance the longevity of your property.
Have a log of all maintenance activities, including the date the task was completed and any observations or issues you noted.
You can establish monthly, biannual, annual, or seasonal maintenance routine checklists.
Conclusion
Maintaining your home goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about safeguarding your investment and ensuring a safe and comfortable living space.
Neglecting simple tasks can lead to more significant issues, resulting in costly repairs. By investing time and effort into routine checks, you’re safeguarding your property’s value.
Whether you’re a new homeowner or just feeling overwhelmed, I hope these tips will help motivate you to take on these home maintenance tasks.