Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibilities. There are no landlords to take care of the damages caused or any breakdowns that occur, and it’s your responsibility to keep everything clean and maintained. At times, it might feel like there’s always something around the house that can do with some work. As a homeowner, it is important for you to keep up with the maintenance tasks in order to have a fully functioning house that does not surprise you with huge repair expenses that could’ve been easily avoided. Here are some benefits of regular home maintenance:
Increase your home’s value
A house, like any other big purchase, is an investment that you want the best returns from. This can be achieved through regular upkeep of your home. Well-maintained houses hold high value in the market and renovations and upgrades can increase their value. You might not be thinking of selling your home right now, but it is always good to know that you are getting a good return for your money. If you do plan on selling the house in the future, you can be assured that your house will be above market value due to the regular maintenance and upgrades.
Save money
Home maintenance can save you money in the long run. While some of the maintenance tasks might cost you money, it will keep additional expenses from incurring as a result of damage. Small tasks like regularly cleaning or changing the furnace filter or clearing out a clogged drain will ensure that larger issues do not arise over time. The more you avoid the upkeep of your home, the harder it will become to handle later on.
Energy consumption
A lot of energy is consumed to keep a home running and comfortable. In order to reduce energy consumption, people usually get their appliances checked periodically, but forget about other factors that can contribute to energy loss. One such contributing factor is your home’s windows and doors. Check for any gaps or cracks in them that might let drafts in. Addressing these problems along with regular inspection of appliances will lower your energy consumption and bills and help the environment.
Improve safety
The biggest reason to undertake regular home maintenance is to improve the safety of your home. A poorly maintained home can create a variety of dangers. For instance, malfunctioning garage doors can cause injury or harm, or broken HVAC systems can cause temperature fluctuations that might be harmful to children or infants. Apart from these obvious problems, your home might suffer from more subtle problems like mold growth or pests. Keeping an eye on the different areas in your home and dealing with issues as soon as possible will ensure your family’s safety.
These are just some of the benefits of regular home maintenance. Knowing that your home is functioning properly will reduce stress in your life and help you live more comfortably.
It is understandable if you’re feeling overwhelmed with where to start with home maintenance. The tasks can seem never-ending as when you finish with one project, another might appear. In such a case, you should start keeping a list where you write down all the things you need to do and check the items off as you go through them. You can take up much of the daily home maintenance tasks on your own with some guidance from the internet or you can hire professionals who do it all for you periodically. Either way, you should be aware of the things around the house that need your attention and so here is a list to help you begin.
Monthly
- HVAC system filters can be either cleaned or replaced. If your filter is relatively new, you should just clean it of any dust that’s been clogged up on a monthly basis. You can replace the filter once every three months or so.
- Check for leaks in bathrooms, sinks and toilets around your home. Get any leaks fixed as soon as possible as it can lead to further damage if left for long.
- Kitchen vent hood filter is another filter that should be cleaned and replaced regularly. The cleaning schedule can change depending on how often you cook.
- Go outside and inspect with the intent of checking for any issues with the gutters, vents, drainpipes or even the foundation.
- Check your fire extinguishers and ensure that you still have easy access to them and that they don’t show signs of any wear and tear. If there’s someone new in your home, teach them how to use a fire extinguisher.
Quarterly
- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure that they’re working and the alarm sounds. If they do not work, replace the batteries or buy a new detector.
- Prevent grime buildup by running water and flushing the toilets in any unused areas or rooms of your home.
Biannually
Biannual maintenance projects usually involve longer tasks such as deep cleaning your home. A regular clean will ensure that there is no buildup of dust or grime in your home and it won’t deteriorate your interiors over time. Along with this, you can also undertake home maintenance specific to each season.
In winter, your tasks should focus on damage control and preventing ice dams. Depending on your location, you might not be able to take up any exterior maintenance activities. Instead, focus on your home’s interior.
During spring, you can focus on repairing any damage caused due to the harsh conditions of winter. You can focus on the exterior in the summer and take on projects like painting. If you have a garden or a lawn, you can work on it. Insects might be a problem during this time of the year, so take any steps you need to to keep them under control.
Fall will be the perfect time to prepare for winter by cleaning the gutters and repairing windows and doors in order to prevent any cold drafts coming in.
A well-maintained home will bring you joy and make your life a lot more easier and comfortable. There are also ways to reduce the frequency of repairs in your home. Start by making a list of all things you need to get started on and begin whipping your house into shape.
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