Home maintenance is an essential part of owning a home. Keeping up with regular maintenance can help ensure that your home remains safe and comfortable for your family, while also helping to protect your investment. Taking the time to perform seasonal maintenance tasks can help you identify potential problems before they become major repairs. From checking air filters to inspecting your roof, there are a number of important tasks that should be completed each season. This article will provide essential tips on how to best maintain your home throughout the year.
- Air Filters - As the weather gets warmer, it’s a good idea to clean your air filters. Dirty filters can reduce airflow, increase energy costs, and increase allergens in your home. If you have central air, check the owner’s manual for cleaning instructions. If you have a portable air filter, follow the cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer. You may also wish to consider replacing your air filters every three months, especially if you have allergy issues in your home. - Attic Insulation - As the weather begins to warm up, it’s a good idea to inspect your attic insulation. If you notice areas where the insulation is missing or in poor condition, it’s a good idea to have it replaced. This can help reduce energy costs, reduce your risk of indoor mould and mildew, and extend the life of your roof. - Gutter and Downspout Cleaning - During the spring, it’s a good idea to clean your gutters and downspouts. This can help prevent debris from clogging your gutters and overflowing into your yard. It’s also a good time to inspect your gutters for signs of wear or damage. If you notice any issues, it’s a good idea to have them repaired as soon as possible to prevent water from getting into your home.
- Air Conditioning System Maintenance - As the summer heat sets in, it’s a good idea to schedule maintenance for your air conditioning system. This can help reduce energy costs, prevent indoor moisture and mould, and prolong the life of your system. If your AC is over 10 years old, it may make sense to consider replacing it. However, if your AC is less than 10 years old and is in good condition, it may be more cost-effective to have it maintained instead of replacing it. When scheduling AC maintenance, you’ll want to ask the technician to inspect the electrical components, refrigerant levels, and the outside unit. You may also want to ask if there are any repairs that can be done while they’re at your home. This can help reduce future repairs and lower your AC repair costs.
- Roof Inspection - As the weather begins to cool off, it’s a good idea to inspect your roof. Look for signs of wear or damage such as curling shingles, missing shingles, and loose flashing. If you notice any issues, you should have them repaired before the roof starts to accumulate snow. This can help prevent the roof from sagging and prevent water from getting inside your home. - Gutter Cleaning - Once fall arrives, it’s a good idea to clean your gutters. This can help prevent leaves and other debris from clogging your gutters and overflowing into your yard. It’s also a good time to inspect your gutters for signs of wear or damage. If you notice any issues, you should have them repaired before the winter. If you aren’t able to do the work yourself, you can hire a gutter cleaning service to do the work for you.
- Central Heating System Maintenance - During the winter, it’s a good idea to schedule maintenance for your central heating system. This can help prevent indoor moisture and mould, reduce energy costs, and extend the life of your system. If your heating system is over 10 years old, it may make sense to consider replacing it. However, if your heating system is less than 10 years old and is in good condition, it may be more cost-effective to have it maintained instead of replacing it. When scheduling heating system maintenance, you’ll want to ask the technician to inspect the electrical components and the furnace itself. You may also want to ask if there are any repairs that can be done while they’re at your home. This can help reduce future maintenance and lower your heating repair costs.
- Exterior Maintenance - As summer turns to fall, it’s a good idea to check exterior doors and windows. Look for cracks or damage and replace any items that appear to be worn out. This can help prevent burglars from entering your home. You should also replace any items such as gutter guards or landscape edging that were installed during the spring. - Interior Maintenance - As fall begins, it’s a good idea to check the interior of your home as well. Look for signs of wear and tear, such as worn carpets or rugs, frayed furniture, and chipped paint. This can help prevent costly repairs and extend the life of your home.
- Regular maintenance can help prevent big repairs - When you perform regular maintenance on your home, you can often identify small issues before they become major problems. This can help prevent costly repairs, extend the life of your home, and reduce your home maintenance costs. - Protects your investment - Regularly taking care of your home can help protect your investment. Taking care of small repairs now can help prevent big repairs in the future, which can save you money and frustration. - Protects your family - Regular maintenance can help protect your family. Inspecting your home regularly can help you identify potential hazards before they become major problems. This can help prevent injuries and protect your family.
- Check your home’s appliances - As the weather begins to warm up, it’s a good idea to take a look at your appliances. Check their power cords, filters, and drains. You should also be on the lookout for any early signs of a problem. If you detect a smell coming from your appliances, such as a burning smell, this may indicate a problem. If you notice any issues, make a note of them and schedule repairs as soon as possible. - Inspect your interior and exterior - When you’re out and about around your home, take some time to inspect your exterior and interior. Look for things such as damaged, worn items, or anything that just doesn’t look right. Write down any issues you notice and work to repair them as soon as possible.
- DIY Home Maintenance - While performing your own maintenance is beneficial, there are some things that are best left to the professionals. This may include electrical repairs, structural repairs, or other repairs that require specific knowledge or equipment. It’s also important to remember that some repairs may be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. This can help reduce your costs and pay for a portion of the repairs. - Professional Home Maintenance Services - Hiring a professional to perform maintenance on your home can help reduce your home maintenance costs. Many home maintenance services can be done in a single visit. Therefore, hiring a professional can save you time and money. - Consider your resources - The type of maintenance service you select may depend on your budget and resources. If you have the time and resources to perform basic maintenance, you can save money by doing it yourself. Alternatively, if you don’t have the time or resources to complete these repairs yourself, hiring a professional may be the best option for you.
When conducting home maintenance, it’s important to do more than simply go through the motions. While you should be thorough, it’s also important to be efficient. To ensure that you don’t miss anything, use this checklist: - Clean Air Filters - Clean or change Air Conditioning Filters - Clean or change Ductwork - Change or clean Heating Filters - Clean or change your Humidifier - Change or clean your Humidifier’s water bucket - Clean or change your Humidifier’s air filter - Change your Air Conditioning’s refrigerant charge - Change the batteries in your Carbon Monoxide Detector - Check your home’s electrical wiring - Switch your Wiring to a Larger Breaker - Check your home’s Electrical Panel - Check your home’s Roof - Check your home’s Exterior - Check your home’s Foundation - Check your home’s Plumbing - Check your home’s Appliances - Check your home’s Interior - Check your home’s Landscaping - Check your Lawn - Inspect your Trees and Shrubs - and more...
With all the tasks that need to be completed each season, it can be challenging to know where to start. Fortunately, there are a number of resources that can help homeowners identify issues, while also providing tips on how to best complete each maintenance task. Home maintenance blogs and websites are excellent resources for homeowners. They can provide information on how to properly perform maintenance tasks and can also provide tips on how to save money by doing it yourself. You can also find information about home maintenance in magazines and books. While many publications have transitioned to online articles and blogs, there are still several home maintenance magazines available. There are also many websites that provide information on home maintenance, such as government websites and home improvement websites. These sites typically provide information on a wide range of home maintenance topics, from roof maintenance to plumbing maintenance. You can also find information on home maintenance in your local library.
