Being a homeowner brings a sense of pride and accomplishment that no other occupation can give you. That being said, it can also be a lot of work. That’s especially true in the spring when homeowners want to tackle projects and chores around their homes.
Maintenance tasks for homeowners can seem daunting, but they help increase the lifespan of your home and prevent aggravating issues. With every little bit you clean and protect, you can stop a bigger problem from happening down the road.
This article will hopefully answer any home maintenance questions you may have. Here’s a list of 11 maintenance tips every homeowner should be following.
1. Roofing Maintenance
As a homeowner, you’ll need to take care of your roof. It’s going to be up there the longest and it helps protect your home from precipitation and other elements. Although you don’t have much control over what happens with your roof, remembering to do some basic maintenance can help keep it in tip-top shape.
First, make sure to check your roof for any damage or missing shingles that need to be replaced. This is an easy job that should only take a few minutes—and you’ll thank yourself later. You then should examine the flashing around chimneys and skylights for holes and missing sealants.
As you inspect your roof, pay attention to the quality of your gutters and downspouts. If you notice any blockages in them or they are overflowing from heavy rains, you need to get these repaired quickly, so water doesn’t have the chance to get into your roof overhang or foundation. Lastly, make sure to check your gutters for any damage or holes.
2. Heating System Maintenance
It’s safe to assume that if you’ve owned your house for more than a year, the heating system has gone through at least one winter, maybe more. And while it may be tempting to just turn on your heat and forget about it until next December, doing so will only lead to major breakdowns in the middle of January. So each spring, think about doing a heating system checkup.
3. Get Your Gas Appliances Inspected
We’re not suggesting that you immediately run out and get your gas appliances inspected along with the flood check hoses. What we are saying is that if you haven’t had them checked in the past couple of years, now might be a good time to start this practice.
4. Drain the Water Heater
Fill up your water heater or water softener with a garden hose. It can hold 30 or 50 gallons of water depending on its size, so it shouldn’t take more than an hour to fill completely (although you should resist the temptation to take a dip). Then drain it into containers or outside using a spigot. Repeat this process a couple of times to ensure the water heater is drained.
5. Minor Repairs
The great thing about going into fall is that if you haven’t had a chance to get around to all of your repairs, now’s a good time for a refresher course. Check weather stripping around windows and doors, fix any leaky faucets, and oil squeaky hinges.
6. Winterize the Locks
One of the easiest home maintenance tasks you can do is to switch your locks from spring to winter mode. Bring weather stripping up around all exterior doors so there are no gaps for cold air or insects to sneak in through.
8. Clear Your Gutters
Clear out leaves and other debris from the gutters before winter hits. Water damage is one of the most common home repairs, and it can be prevented with a little bit of monthly maintenance.
10. Get Your Furnace Ready
Heating your home efficiently is as important as getting all those nagging little repairs out of the way now. Get your furnace ready for winter before it gets too cold out to do anything.
11. Foundation Maintenance
The foundation of your home is also an aspect you want to regularly inspect. Check the foundation for cracks, water stains, and signs of rotting. These are definitely some noticeable warning signs that something is wrong with the foundation.
Conclusion
Good luck with those home repairs! Remember that there’s always time to relax after you’re done. Take some time and enjoy whatever you accomplish today.
