7 Essential Home Maintenance Tips for Responsible Homeowners

Being a homeowner is not just a luxury and privilege. It also entails responsibility and care. It may seem that there is a never-ending list of things to do and that is true, especially if you live in an older home. However, you needn’t fret. Smart everyday habits go a long way— you can keep your home in top shape and ward off any hazards and costly repairs. Delay is not an option because it only makes the problems worse. So, whether you want to put your home on the market or maximize your own enjoyment, here are essential tips to adhere to.

Roof inspection

A damaged and leaky roof is not something that can be ignored. It causes interior ceiling and wall leaks, which then lead to costly damage. To prevent it, carry out an inspection and look for missing shingles and rotting flashing. Weak leaks usually occur around chimneys, skylights, exhaust flues, and roof openings. Take a good look at beams and joists there. Any dark spots could indicate that there is a leakage. Once identified, these faults are best left to professionals to handle.

Gutters and downspouts

While going about roof business, you might also want to check your gutters and downspouts. There could be a lot of debris and leaves causing clogs there. If you don’t deem this a serious issue, think twice. In combination with ice and water, debris is a notorious culprit behind structural damage and foundation flooding. The good news is that the cleaning process is rather straightforward and requires little more than a ladder, towel, and a pair of gloves.

HVAC maintenance

HVAC system endures heavy duty of pushing the air around the home. Preventive maintenance is the key to improving its performance and lifespan. So, find a service for seasonal inspection and tune-ups. The most basic maintenance task to undertake on your own is changing the filters. It enables the unit to operate at peak efficiency and reduces the unnecessary strain on it. Note that the frequency of replacing depends on the rating of the filter.

Electric repairs

Tasks in this department range from replacing light bulbs to upgrading electric wiring. You can take some of them yourself, while others demand pro touch of a certified electrical contractor. In DIY domain, you should do some basic maintenance. Ensure your service panel is not sparkling and seek signs of breaker wire discoloration and poor insulation. Make good use of a multimeter to test the power flow around the household, as well as your appliances.

Taking good care of refrigerator

Refrigerator is among the biggest energy vampires in the household and it also stores our precious food. Therefore, it pays off to maintain it properly. For instance, did you know that condenser coils on the back can accumulate dust and hamper performance?  Well, fortunately, it is not too complicated to pull the appliance out and clean it. You can use the long “skinny” attachment for your vacuum cleaner to reach everything. Do not overlook the area underneath the fridge either.

Keep termites at bay

This menace is a severe risk to wooden homes. To weed it out, examine home foundations and other vital wood components. Should you confirm your suspicions, search for local pest control companies that perform removal and fumigation. The costs may seem unpleasant, but they are a drop in the bucket compared to what you would pay for the repairs later. Namely, revealing the infestation early on allows for less expensive spot treatment and bait methods and it contains damage.

Plumbing leaks and clogs

Next, we have leaks and burst pipes. They can lead to water seeping into foundations, walls, and floors, and also inflate water bills. These are not too difficult to fix, but when it comes to clogs, the DIY approach can do more harm than good. Liquid drain cleaners can erode pipes and pollute drinking water. That’s why it’s a good idea to call experts from Pipe Relining Solutions to unclog blocked drains and make short work of all sorts of blockages, including those caused by tree roots, debris, and sediment.

So, there you go. Give your home interior and exterior a thorough checkup. Follow routine and simple activities and summon pros to your aid when necessary. Tackle any spotted issues head-on and in a timely manner.  Rest assured that these small things add up and prevent big problems down the road.  They also make your home cleaner and more livable, letting it run like a well-oiled machine.