Home maintenance can be tedious work, but it’s one of the best ways to protect your investment. By staying up-to-date with preventive maintenance on a property and performing routine property preventive maintenance regularly, major repairs can often be avoided and therefore “an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure” really holds true.
Change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly and seal windows and add weather protection for improved draft control and temperature regulation.
1. Check Your Roof
During the summer season, it’s essential that your roof be checked for damage. Look out for missing shingles, dented spots or buckled sections.
If you feel physically capable and comfortable climbing a ladder, performing a more thorough inspection would also be wise. Check for loose nails or shingles and identify areas where flashing has detached.
Be sure to turn your ceiling fans counter-clockwise during summer months to push cool air downward and provide ventilation.
2. Check Your Gutters
Gutter systems are designed to move rainwater away from your roof and foundation, protecting them from potential damage. But when they become clogged with leaves or damaged in any other way, their ability to perform this function effectively diminishes considerably.
Regular gutter inspections and cleanings are essential to keeping your system in top shape. Regularly clearing them out also prevents clogging, prolonging their lifespan.
3. Check Your HVAC System
Air filters should be regularly changed out for better air quality and circulation throughout your home or property. Be sure to inspect both outside units, which could become blocked by debris or dirt accumulations, and the interior evaporator drains, which must not be blocked by furniture or other obstructions, for debris accumulations that might block them up and prevent proper flow of evaporator drains.
Check fire extinguishers for pressure and an intact pin and tamper seal, replace smoke alarm batteries, test carbon monoxide detectors and clean out the garbage disposal are all small tasks that can help reduce energy costs and avoid costly repairs.
4. Check Your Electrical System
Electrical system faults in your home can pose a threat of fire. Regular inspection of electrical wiring will help detect potential issues before they worsen; so inspect it frequently and call in a professional before any serious problems develop.
Keep an eye out for burnt outlets or signs of rodent activity, and ensure there are cover plates on every outlet. Furthermore, inspect the breaker box and electric panel for any gaps or openings that could allow sparks or fire to spread to your house.
5. Check Your Plumbing System
Your plumbing system may not be glamorous, but it plays a critical role in keeping your home comfortable. Maintaining good plumbing conditions can prevent costly repairs while cutting energy costs.
There are two straightforward tests you can perform that will give a comprehensive picture of the state of your plumbing. First, inspect drains for corrosion (although rare), followed by checking exposed water lines such as those under sink.
6. Check Your Windows
Home maintenance should always be top of mind as a homeownership obligation, to help avoid expensive repairs and prevent further damage to your property over time. Proactive home care practices like keeping up with routine maintenance is vitally important if you want your investment to stand the test of time and remain a sound investment.
Check your windows for cracks or weak points in their frame or glass, and consider upgrading their security with tempered, laminated or laminated laminated glass, polycarbonate (which is nearly unbreakable), or polycarbonate material that can be locked with high-quality locks.
7. Check Your Doors
Air leaks around exterior doors can make heating or cooling your home difficult, driving up energy costs. To detect leaks, look for daylight around the edges of closed doors when they are illuminated at nighttime.
Maintenance tasks are an integral component of homeownership, so use this checklist to ensure your home remains in tip-top condition.
8. Check Your Gutters
Clogged gutters cause water overflow and pooled moisture that can seep into your home’s siding and foundation, potentially necessitating costly home repairs. Regularly inspecting and cleaning gutters is an easy, cost-effective solution that could save thousands in repairs costs in the future.
Before climbing onto your ladder, take a walk around your home to conduct a visual inspection of your gutters. This will enable you to identify potential problems so they can be repaired before they become major issues.
9. Check Your Attic
An attic that is kept in good condition will help avoid energy waste and provide better insulation, as well as detect any leaks that might exist in your home.
Search for signs of rodent activity and nesting materials; these pests can damage insulation, wires and other structural components if left alone.
Make sure to bring both a corded work light and backup flashlight when inspecting your attic, to avoid stepping on vent pipes and fire sprinkler lines, which could result in serious injury.
10. Check Your Roof
Check for signs of roof leakage – look from either the ground or, ideally, from a ladder (but never walk on it!) Look out for damaged and missing shingles as well as for signs that the gutter may need repaired.
Maintaining home maintenance tasks regularly can save money and avoid costly repairs later. Print out this free checklist to keep on track, making sure all smoke/carbon monoxide detectors have functional batteries installed.
