Taking care of a home is endless. In addition to regular upkeep, there is always something that pops up out of nowhere and you must deal with it. Whether you live in your ultimate dream home or something of a stopgap, there is simply always something to do. You will never be left idle for too long. There will be something to improve upon or something to repair. If you like getting work done or taking part in DIY with your partner, it’s an opportunity. And taking care of a home doesn’t need to be a hassle, especially when armed with essential home maintenance tips.
No Experience Necessary
Looking after your home can be somewhat daunting if you are not really experienced and versed in home improvement. You might feel as though you have to get everything right all the time in order to live in a wonderful home. The truth is that we are all novices at one point and we all learn new things as we do more of them. Maintaining and improving your home isn’t too complicated most of the time.
There are ways you can maintain your home properly. Some strategies you may not have even thought about before. Your home is full of potential projects that you may have avoided in the past due to budget, time, or skill. A home is a complicated machine that has so many different moving parts, after all. Here are a few jobs you might want to pursue in order to get the absolute best out of your home maintenance.
Inspect Tougher Areas For Pests
Pests can find a way into most areas of a home. Take the attic, for instance. If it’s unfinished, many people only think about this area when they are storing decorations and other stuff. It can be a prime entry point for unwanted pests. Rodents can chew through wiring and the wood structure. Check areas for droppings and nests as they could indicate an infestation. Moisture buildup can also be a huge tell-tale sign of an intrusion.
Essential home maintenance tips: As part of essential home maintenance tips, regular inspections can stop problems before they cause extensive damage to the entire home.
Test Water Shut-Off Valves
Future emergencies can happen if you do not take shut-off valves seriously. Valves for both the main plumbing supply and individual fixtures may seize up if they are not used. This may seem like such a basic and specific job, but burst pipes do happen. If you know where your main shut-off valve is located and have regularly tested it, you will be able to ensure that it functions properly when it’s needed. This simple task can save you thousands.
Essential home maintenance tips: Take a few minutes every now and again to turn each valve on and off to keep them working well.
Clean Refrigerator Coils
A refrigerator is a workhorse of the kitchen, we rely on its functioning properly every single day. Your refrigerator has condenser coils that are usually located on the bottom or at the back. They can accumulate dust and debris over time and sometimes clog up.
Essential home maintenance tips: Use a coil brush or a vacuum to clean them every few months, especially if you have pets. It’s a simple task that will not take very long to do, but it can make a big difference to the energy efficiency and longevity of the fridge. You can extend the appliance’s lifespan and lower your energy bill with the slightest bit of effort.
Inspect Driveway For Cracks
The exterior of your home must be regularly maintained. Tiny cracks in the driveway might seem like something small, but they can grow very quickly due to moisture infiltration and weather changes. Before you know it, you will deal with further cracking. Seal minor cracks with driveway sealant in order to prevent them from becoming significant issues.
Essential home maintenance tips: It’s a good idea to take a look at the driveway and any walkways every spring and fall.
Check Crawl Space for Moisture and Mold
It’s common to neglect spaces that aren’t used regularly, like crawl spaces. However, they do play a big role in the overall condition of your home. Excess moisture in a crawlspace can lead to more mold. They can also lead to wood rot and even more pest infestations. Get in there and use a flashlight to look for standing water or musty odors.
Essential home maintenance tips: It might be a tedious job, but taking time out to check this space once a year–or after a big storm–can help prevent serious structural issues.
Prevent Hidden Toilet Leaks
Working on the intricate properties of a toilet isn’t exactly something you may dream of doing, but neglecting this part of your home could lead to major issues. A slight wobble on your toilet may not seem like that much of a problem, but it can lead to leaks that damage the floor and subflooring.
Toilets are set on a wax ring that can degrade over time and then allow water to seep out. If there is any kind of movement when you sit on it, tighten the bolts of the base properly. If this problem persists and you don’t know what to do, act quickly and call a professional.
Essential home maintenance tips: A faulty toilet is extremely frustrating, so regularly check for moisture around the base so you can avoid expensive repairs.
Clear Out The Dryer
You probably know all about cleaning the lint trap after each dryer load, but it’s not enough to prevent dangerous buildup in your dryer. As time moves on, lint can accumulate in the vent duct and reduce efficiency. This can also increase the risk of a house fire even more. At least once a year, be sure to remove any buildup.
Essential home maintenance tips: If you notice that your clothes take longer to dry, don’t delay cleaning out the duct.
Check Garage Door Wear-and-Tear
The garage is an important part of any home. Garage door springs are constantly under high tension and can wear out quickly. If a spring snaps, it can be dangerous and significantly costly. It’s common for a garage door to struggle to open, and this could be assigned that springs may need to be adjusted (or replaced). A good idea to hire a professional for this as spring replacement can be hazardous.
Essential home maintenance tips: Look for rust and gaps as well as stretching in the springs.
Look For Hidden Plumbing Issues
It’s hard to keep an eye on plumbing when it’s not visible. There will be parts that are hidden behind walls and are difficult to reach. Even the smallest leak behind the wall can cause extensive damage. There are a few signs of hidden leaks, however. If you see peeling paint and bubbling wallpaper, you might want to act fast. If you live in an old home, you must think about cast iron pipe repair as aging pipes can develop lots of corrosion and many leaks.
Essential home maintenance tips: A moisture meter or infrared camera can help detect these leaks before they grow into something worse.
