Home Maintenance 101

Becoming a homeowner is a lot of responsibility. Whether you own a 3-bedroom home or a 10-bedroom home, you still have to exert effort into maintaining your home because it is your biggest investment. For most, home maintenance can be a daunting task which is why most choose to put it off until the damage has been done. This is especially true for first-time homeowners who have zero to little experience when it comes to home maintenance. If you are worried about incurring additional expenses, maintaining your home doesn’t have to be outsourced all the time. There are plenty of ways you can help maintain your home without spending extra on hiring people to help you.

Here are the following ways:

#1 Clean your exhaust fans Exhaust fans are vital in every home. They help get rid of foul odors and excess moisture in your home. If left unchecked, it may not be able to do its job efficiently. When this happens, you run the risk of having molds in your home. Ideally, you should check and clean your exhaust fans once a year. Be sure to check both exhaust fans in your kitchen as well as your bathroom to ensure that all the smell and moisture that builds up in those areas are well swept out by the exhaust fans. #2 Check your drains From time to time, our drains get clogged. Most of the time, our drains get clogged over time and not instantaneously. Once you start noticing your drains are slow, manage it immediately. Don’t wait for your drains to be completely clogged. It may be easier to use a drain cleaner than manually unclogging the drain with a wire but it can also damage your drains. #3 Check the gutters Gutters are essential as well to every home. Your gutters allow rainwater to flow properly through your home while protecting your roof as well. Ideally, gutters should be checked and cleaned twice a year. However, this will depend as well on the weather and seasons. If left clogged or unclean, the debris clogging your gutters may cause water leakage in your home. If you have a one-story home, then cleaning your gutter should be feasible with a ladder. Just ensure that you’re taking extra precautions when doing so. #4 Maintain your roof Roofs are just one of those things that you will eventually have to replace in your home. Most homeowners try to push off roof replacement as it can get extremely costly. However, maintaining your roof well can prolong its lifespan. A well-maintained roof can help you save money as well as this will help with your cooling and heating systems at home. Moreover, a well-maintained roof will also ensure that you are safe from any water damage. #5 Check for foundation cracks Another crucial part of a home’s maintenance is checking for foundation cracks. As part of your maintenance, go outside your home and inspect your home’s foundation. Try to look if there are any cracks in the concrete. If you know for a fact that you are going to sell your home in a few years, this is more crucial for you as any small crack can affect the resale value of your home. Should there be small cracks, try to remedy them as much as you can. However, if you happen to see cracks that are troublesome, it’s best to contact a professional and have it checked by a structural engineer. #6 Repaint your home If you’re a first-time homeowner, it is not uncommon to think that fixing a paint job for your home is purely for the visual side of it. Your home’s exterior is what can get people interested in buying your home should the time come for that. However, this is inaccurate. Ensuring that your home’s paint job is pristine prevents and protects your home from rotting and water damage. #7 Replace the batteries of your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors There are a number of incidents that can cause fires at home. Having a fully functional smoke alarm can prevent that from happening. This is why it is important to ensure that the batteries of your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors are constantly being replaced at least once a year. #8 Prevent termites infestation Termites can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. This is especially true for homeowners with wooden homes. Not only with this decrease the value of your home should you choose to sell it in the future, but this can also pose a safety risk. Should termites find their way to your stairs, one can easily fall or trip. To check for termites, it’s best to start in your basement or to inspect places that are not reached by sunlight. Inspect the wood there by poking it to check if it’s flaky or hallow. Try to seal off as well any gaps where the termites might go through.