Owning a home is a wonderful feeling, but it does come with its fair share of responsibilities. Fortunately, most issues can be dodged simply by preventative upkeep.
These twelve preventative house care chores will help to keep your house sound and safe.
1. Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
It’s easy to forget about these life-saving instruments once they’re set up. Nonetheless, they should be first on your maintenance calendar. A broken carbon monoxide or smoke detector could be fatal in an emergency.
Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors monthly. Replace batteries every six months and detectors over ten years old.
2. Inspect and Clean Your Gutters
Blocked gutters spell impending doom. Overflowing from leaves and debris, these gutters prevent water from being channelled away from your home. As a result, leakage, water damage, and foundation complications are almost inevitable.
Twice a year, think about freshening up your gutters, once in spring, and again in autumn. Not a fan of ladders? No worries. You can always hire professional gutter cleaners like Fantastic Services.
3. Maintain Your Roof
A good roof corresponds to a good house. Even the toughest roofs can eventually show damage from bad weather, like cracks, missing shingles, or other flaws. Ignoring these issues can cause water leaks and perhaps even mould development.
After storms, always check your roof for any damage. See a roofing specialist right away if you find anything odd or outside your knowledge. Patching minor problems now is preferable to waiting for a complete roof replacement later.
4. Test Your Home’s Electrical System
Bad wiring in your home’s electrical system can cause fires or electrical shocks.
Each year, check for any flickering lights, odd scents, or warm areas surrounding outlets. These things suggest possible electrical issues.
Employing a qualified electrician from a reputable firm would help you identify and fix these electrical problems before they become significant. When it comes to electricity, never gamble. Safety should always come first.
5. Service Your HVAC System
Your home’s comfort heavily depends on your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Regular maintenance is essential to ensure it operates effectively.
Apart from increasing your energy consumption, a neglected HVAC system can endanger your health with its filthy filters and dirty air. Change your filters every three months and plan a once-year professional tune-up.
Keeping your system in optimal condition ensures better air quality, fewer allergens, and a lower risk of breakdowns during peak seasons.
6. Inspect Your Foundation for Cracks
The worst nightmare of a homeowner can be foundation problems. Although at first little fractures look innocuous, if not fixed they can become significant structural damage over time.
Moisture can leak in and worsen the damage compromising your house’s integrity. Every few months, go about your house and look for cracks or evidence of shifting in the foundation.
See a foundation expert right away if you find anything unexpected. Repairing a minor break now is better than dealing with a far more significant and costly issue down the road.
7. Keep an Eye on the Plumbing
A minor leak can become a major flood. Check your plumbing for any drips, leaks, or rust. Fantastic Services can identify and address potential issues before they escalate into costly nightmares.
If your system is very old, then definitely have pros check it.
8. Clean and Seal Windows and Doors
Homes become less snug when windows and doors let drafts in. Over time, seals deteriorate. This allows air to slip out and makes your HVAC system work harder.
Check the weatherstripping around your doors and windows for holes or impairment.
By resealing or replacing the weatherstripping where necessary, you keep the comfort in your home, not to mention saving on energy bills.
9. Check for Mould and Mildew
Mould and mildew are not just hideous to look at. They are also harmful to our well-being.
Those damp spots in your home in the bathroom, basement or even the attic, they’re perfect breeding grounds for mould. This is especially true after any water leak or in high humidity conditions.
Check these places often and if you see mould, take quick action. Larger or ongoing infestations can call for a professional mould remediation service.
10. Service Your Water Heater
As silt accumulates in the tank over time, inefficiency and failure follow.
Drain your water heater once a year to eliminate any silt. If you’re unsure how to proceed or notice unusual noises or signs of corrosion from your heater, consult a professional.
Frequent maintenance will save you from an early replacement and lengthen the lifetime of your water heater.
11. Secure Your Home’s Exterior
It’s crucial to keep your home’s outer parts in top shape. Why? Because they’re your primary shield against harsh weather.
Damaged window covers, peeled-off paint, or wobbly sidings not only alter your home’s look, they also become a doorway for moisture and critters.
Look about your house and identify any spots that require work. A fresh coat of paint or a few new boards will help shield your house from weather damage and increase its lifetime.
12. Trim Trees and Shrubs
Overgrown trees and plants can jeopardise your home’s integrity and create a messy appearance.
Excessive roots can cause foundation issues or disrupt plumbing, while tree branches that hang over your roof can scratch the shingles.
Trimming trees and bushes regularly helps them to remain at a safe distance from your house. This will lower the likelihood of branches breaking under storms.
Conclusion
Maintaining your home is the key to creating a safe and inviting space. These simple tasks protect your investment and bring you comfort.
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