Home Maintenance Made Easy

Your home maintenance is just as essential as your regular check-up. Don’t forget to have a routine check on your plumbing, roof, security,  electrical systems, appliances, and such to help you prevent massive repairs, save money, and keep your home in good shape!

Here are some tips and tricks for your next Home Maintenance Day!

Remember: If the home maintenance task goes beyond your skill level or leads to more complicated repairs, consider hiring a professional to help you out. This goes especially true if you don’t have the right equipment to perform maintenance or inspection safely.

Inspect Your Roof

First off, check if there are missing, cracked, or damaged shingles. Replace them immediately as they could lead to leaks inside your home. Put your attention more on the shingles around your skylights, chimneys, and vents. These are areas most prone to leaks.

It is recommended to have your roof inspected by a professional twice a year.

Clean Your Gutters

Gutters are the main line of defense that protects your foundation, siding, and the whole house itself. Clean your gutter at least twice a year by physically removing debris from it, followed by rinsing it with water. Also, check to see if they are correctly fixed and replace any that have leaked already.  You may want to consider a gutter protection system that will prevent debris and leaves from entering your gutters.

Fix Your Plumbing

The washers inside the faucet are the cause of leaks. To replace these washers, turn off the main water supply and unscrew the leaky handle that controls water flow to the spout. Then remove the old washer and drop the new one in.  Even a small constant leak can increase your water bill tremendously.

Reminders to keep your plumbing in good shape:

Fats and oils from food residue can clog your drain. Use hot water and dishwashing liquid to clean it whenever oils you spilled down your pipes. 

Use a hair strainer for the bathtub drain. With this, you can make sure that you remove all accumulated hair from each shower.

Check on Your Window and Door Seals

Look for cracks around your window and door and have them fixed or replace. These cracks can lead to inefficiently heated or cooled homes, which can overwork your systems.

Look for Signs of Pests

When it comes to pest issues, the earlier and faster to address them, the better. Check both the interior and exterior of your house for signs of pests. Places like your roof and soffits are more prone to it. Call a professional pest inspector to have a look once a year as well.

Cover It Up with Paint

Putting on paint on the exterior of your house keeps the moisture and wood rot at bay, plus it does give your home a nice new kind of feeling.

Fix your Appliances

1. Refrigerator

Remove dust from condenser coils with a vacuum hose. This helps your refrigerator work efficiently and extends its life. 

2. Air Conditioning

Replace your HVAC filters at least every six months to reduce strain and keep your indoor air clean and healthy.

3. Washing Machine

Regularly inspect your washing machine’s water supply hoses for possible leaks. Also, consider the dryer. It should be kept clean by removing the lint that collects. By cleaning your lint screen, you can prevent fires and helps increase the life of the heating element.

Pro tip: Remove the lint from the screen between each load of laundry and remove fabric softener residue by washing the screen with warm water and dish detergent at least once a week.

4. Water heater and humidifiers

At least once a year, you’ll need to drain your water heater to flush out any minerals or debris in the system, ensuring it runs more efficiently. The same with humidifiers, drain the unit to prevent it from collecting water and stagnate the system. 

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