
Owning a home requires essential care to guarantee efficiency and minimize sudden and costly repairs. Regular service and attention prolongs the use of home components and systems. Damage from weather throughout the entire year can take a toll on the outside of a home, just as daily use can wear on the interior and mechanical methods. At least two times per year, homeowners must perform maintenance and inspection to keep a home working safely and correctly.
Mechanical Systems
Some of the most significant preventative home maintenance is done on the heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems. Along with regularly changing filters in the heating and cooling system, homeowners should have the air conditioning assessed during the spring and also the heating system checked before cold weather. Plumbing must be assessed to create certain pipes are well-insulated and are not leaking. Draining your hot water heater is suggested to remove sediment in addition to checking the pressure relief valve to verify that it is working correctly, according to Bob Vila. Makes sure that the electric system is in safe working condition by tripping the circuit breakers and inspecting for frayed wires or wires and any exposed wiring.
Home Interior
Inside the home, homeowners must inspect windows and doors that need caulking or fix to stop leaks and save energy. Chimneys must be cleaned and checked by a professional before use to avoid chimney fires caused by a dirty chimney. Another care tip is to inspect grout around tubs, sinks and showers and re-caulk any worn or brittle caulk, based on ServiceMagic. Cleaning lint out of clothes dryers can stop fires, save energy and extend the life span of the drier. Homeowners should also test smoke detectors throughout the home and replace the batteries annually.
Home Exterior
Homeowners must clean debris out of gutters and downspouts and assess them to make sure that they are working correctly and draining away from the home, based on ServiceMagic. A visual inspection of the exterior of the home can discover cracks in the brick or stucco, peeling paint and any wood rot that needs fixing. Another tip for home maintenance is to examine the roof for damaged or loose shingles and flashings, since routine maintenance is more affordable than water damage from the attic and home resulting from roof leaks.
Yard and Patio
Trimming and pruning trees and shrubs regularly can prevent them from growing round the roofing or other constructions on the home and causing damage, according to Buyer’s Choice Home Inspection. If too near power lines, overgrown trees and shrubs can cause damage because of snow, snow and high winds. Shrubs that grow next to a home can also block the movement of air across the home. Homeowners must inspect for and repair any timber rot and clean leaves and debris out of wooden decks to prevent mildew.