Basic Home Maintenance Tips: Take Care of the Things That Add Up

A home maintenance routine is crucial for any house's upkeep, much as a regular health check-up. Checking on the exterior, appliances, heating and cooling, plumbing, security, and electrical systems regularly will help us avoid malfunctions, save money, and maintain the appearance of our house. The essential home maintenance tips that need to be taken into consideration are discussed below.

Examine the outlets of the home once a year. Are they effective? If we discover that some of our power sources are out of commission, experts recommend contacting a professional electrician to get them repaired. Also, check for GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) receptacles near any plumbing fixtures with the "Test" and "Reset" buttons now. It will almost certainly be discovered during a home inspection if we decide to sell the property if we do not.

Ceiling fans must be rotated twice a year to boost energy efficiency and lessen the stress on our heating and cooling systems. In the winter, properly operating a ceiling fan can help us to save up to 10% on our heating expenses. When we adjust the fan's direction, we vary how the air travels, allowing us to heat or cool a space more efficiently. In the summer, we want our ceiling fan to whirl counterclockwise, forcing cool air down. Most fans include a directional switch on the motor that may modify the rotation typically by turning the switch down. In the winter, reverse the switch to receive the clockwise rotation.

Fans in the home assist in removing odours and moisture, but if they are not up to the task, we risk mould forming in our home. Remove and clean our bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans at least once a year. This will keep our hardware in good working order and dampness out of our house.

We have to examine the area surrounding our home's perimeter for downspouts that have separated from the structure. If downspouts become disconnected or damaged, water will not be channeled away from the house, resulting in water infiltration and perhaps foundation problems. This is a simple remedy that will save us much money in the long run.

According to home care specialists at BobVila.com, removing indications of water damage and preventing future discolouration requires more than a simple coat of paint. For example, on the ceilings and basement walls, use a stain-blocking primer before painting as usual.

We have to be taken care of any sluggish drains in our house before they clog. Instead of using drain cleaner, which may be harsh on our pipes, snake the drain using a wire hanger or block removal tool.

Homeowners dread roof replacement, but keeping the one we have may extend its life. Taking care of roof problems will also help the home's heating, and cooling systems run more efficiently and avoid roof leaks that cause water damage. It is a good idea to get our roof examined twice a year by a professional roofer.

When the weather starts to warm up, undertake a thorough check of our home's outside foundation. Cracks in our home's foundation may diminish its value by as much as 15%, and addressing these concerns as soon as we see them will save them money on future repairs. A structural engineer should check and repair large fractures in our foundation.

We have to touch up the paint works on the outside of our house not only makes it seem better, but it also protects the wood from rot and humidity.

When the weather warms up, inspect our driveway, patio, or sidewalk for concrete cracks. Small cracks become unpleasant, and as soon as they are discovered, resurfacing cracks imply fewer extensive outside surface repairs down the road. However, during a house inspection, deep fractures might also raise some concerns. Consider mud jacking, or slabjacking, if our concrete is damaged beyond what a simple resurfacing can fix. This method, which involves injecting grout under our concrete slabs to lift them, is often half the price of installing a new slab.

Changing the air filter may extend the life of our air conditioner, improve its efficiency, and improve the air quality in our house. If we frequently forget to complete this activity, consider joining up for a subscription service like FilterEasy, which will automatically give us a new filter when the old one expires.

Disposals are a helpful kitchen utility, but they become a nuisance when they clog and smell. Spruce recommends cleaning our disposal once a month with a mixture of citrus, salt, and baking soda.

It is designed to clean our clothes, but what should we do if our washer begins to stink? Check out Apartment Therapy's in-depth guide on de-gunking and unfunking the washing machine if we detect any symptoms of mould, mildew, or sour aromas when loading and unloading our clothes. This process can be completed once a month if desired.

It is not worth having a fire extinguisher if it does not operate in an emergency. We have to make a note to inspect our fire extinguisher once a year. Maintain it by keeping it clean, inspecting it for physical damage, and checking the pressure. Allstate, a well-known insurance company, provides a comprehensive guide to fire extinguisher maintenance.

Once or twice a year, we should adequately inspect the seals around our windows and doors. Small cracks and fissures might result in an inefficiently heated or cooled home, causing your systems to overwork.

In a lived-in home, scuffs and markings on the walls are to be expected, but touching up the paint once a year will keep these blemishes from becoming out of hand.

Clearing out our dryer vent (and we do not just mean removing lint from the filter; we are talking about cleaning out every crevice) not only keeps the appliance working effectively but also stops it from catching fire.