When it comes to maintenance for homeowners, what tends to go through people's minds are all of the simple things, such as caulking the bathtub, painting walls, or cleaning drains. Sure, these are easy and fairly stress-free. But these are small, and while yes, they do have an impact on the house, whether it be structural integrity or aesthetics, this isn’t going to transform a house.
In fact, there is some maintenance that needs to be done, sometimes pretty regularly, or else your entire house could just be destroyed. It’s pretty scary to think about, right? Well, it’s sadly just a part of reality, all houses need regular maintenance, and there is some maintenance that needs to be prioritized more than others. So, here’s some home maintenance that homeowners should simply not skip out on.
Check Your Water Heater
Obviously, like any other homeowner, you’re going to want a clean and healthy space, and in order to achieve that, you’re going to need to look into things that you may not have usually considered, like the water heater. Water heaters are one of the most used appliances in a home, and if they are not maintained properly, they can lead to many issues. Annual maintenance can help extend the life of a water heater and prevent costly repairs.
But it’s not just about extending its life or having comfortable baths. Generally speaking, this is important for other reasons too. A water heater that is neglected will rust and can cause major damage to the tank and plumbing. Also, sediment will build up, which can reduce the amount of hot water a tank can hold, causing delays in showers or other uses. Overall, this is going to be far from ideal, which is why you need a close eye on it.
Roof
At one point in time, you’re going to need a roofing contractor. Why? Well, usually, every 15 to 25 years, the roof needs to be checked. If you’ve been living there for a series of years and it has yet to be checked, then it might be time to do so. The not-so-obvious protections that a well-maintained roof provides include preventing energy waste, which saves the homeowner money throughout the year and keeps moisture away from the studs, rafters, walls, and foundation of the house, avoiding costly mold, bacteria, and water damage.
Many homeowners think of the things they need to do to maintain their home, such as replacing the furnace filter, shutting off water spigots before winter, cleaning out the garage, and repainting the deck. But the one thing that is often overlooked is a roof inspection. That roof inspection (from a professional) is 100% necessary! This affects your structural integrity, insulation, mold prevention, and so much more. You basically can’t even have a home if your roof isn’t in good condition.
Gutters
Alright, so this one is fairly small, but it still makes such a major difference. For the most part, homeowners know that they need to do this. But since it seems so small, it’s often brushed off as not being a big deal. Gutter cleaning is one of the most important autumn (and spring) maintenance tasks for any homeowner. It may not be the most fun or appealing of home chores, but a properly maintained gutter system can save homeowners thousands in water damage.
Gutters are designed to direct rainwater and snowmelt away from the foundation of the house. When these systems are clogged, they can no longer do their job, and water seeps down to the soil around the foundation, causing cracks in the walls. Standing water can also breed pests like mosquitoes and rodents. This is a serious health and safety concern for any family. Plus, there’s a chance this can get into your house siding, too; definitely not a good look.
A Deep Cleaning
A lot of homeowners consider this to be nothing more than tidying up the home, but in a way, a good deep cleaning is also needed. Over time, dust just builds up, stains, and there might even be issues within your home you’re literally not going to know or see unless you do a deep cleaning. It’s up to you whether you do the deep cleaning or hire a professional like Ocala house cleaning service, but in general, a deep cleaning can very well be the thing that helps prevent issues in the home from spreading, such as pests, mold, or even something like dust building into your HVAC. So that’s something to keep in mind.
House Siding
These aren’t just for aesthetics, but they also keep your house safe too. The maintenance is really going to depend on the type of house siding you have, such as concrete, wood, brick, stone, etc. Wood siding benefits from regular cleanings to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. It is also a good idea to treat the surface with a wood stain or clear sealant. Wood stain sinks deeper into the wood and protects against fading caused by the sun’s UV rays.
During your spring cleaning, be sure to walk around the house and check for cracks or damage. Make sure your gutters are in good working order and that any vegetation is trimmed away from the house. If your house is brand new, or you recently received new house siding, then it’s best to look into the manufacturer's instructions for proper care. All siding is different, so you need to be cautious.
HVAC
The summer and winter are the two biggest seasons when your HVAC gets used. They make your home far more tolerable to live in and just more comfortable in general. It’s always a good idea to schedule routine maintenance for your HVAC system. This helps to ensure that the warm and cold air pumping through your vents is clean and filtered. It also reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Don’t Forget the Electricity!
For many, they won’t check until they see sparks or smoke from their outlet. Clearly, this is looking into an issue when it’s essentially too late. This is why you should try to have an annual check on your electricity, as there could be a long list of reasons why it could potentially not work right. Regular electrical inspections are key to ensuring your equipment is safe and working properly.
Checking for faulty wiring, loose connections, and other issues are critical to preventing fires or losing power. A quick test with an outlet tester (available at any hardware store) can help ensure your outlets are functioning correctly. Additionally, consider investing in a multimeter to easily troubleshoot problems. Also, be sure to switch off and remove any “energy vampires” from your home, such as computers, TVs, or gaming devices, that use up energy even when they are not in use. These can quickly lead to overheating and potential fires.
Doors
Doors serve as entryways for most rooms in the house. It’s important to check all doors and their locks and hinges to ensure they can secure your home. Check your garage door as well to see if there aren’t any holes or damages. If there is one or more of those, book a garage door repair service for peace of mind.
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