Regular maintenance is needed to keep your home in great shape. But putting money into prevention and home maintenance could save you tens of thousands of dollars and a lot of stress over time.
This is why being a homeowner is not a piece of cake. It involves responsibilities, and keeping up with everything you need to do to keep your home in good shape can be challenging. But if you keep an eye on a few key places around your home, you can often avoid costly repairs.
That said, let’s get started with our no-nonsense checklist for home maintenance. This essential checklist will help you keep your home in good shape for years—from the roof to the basement.
1. Check the fire and safety equipment
You don’t want to let your home burn down in a fire. So, be sure to keep it safe from fire by making sure you have supplies and fire alarm systems installed across your home. Ensure your security system is working well by testing it. Check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace them.
Most importantly, do not forget to replace your fire extinguishers if they are way past their expiration date.
2. Take care of your lawn and garden
In the warmer months, in addition to taking care of your lawn every week, you should also try to take care of your flower beds at least once a month.
Do not let weeds grow wild or let dead leaves and other trash pile up, like in flower beds. This can be dangerous to you and your property, attracting pests and even being a fire hazard.
3. Keep your kitchen and appliances in good shape
Food and liquids spilt while cooking, preparing, or serving meals could damage your floors and countertops. Every month, take the time to clean your cabinets and eliminate anything that has gone bad.
And don’t forget to thoroughly clean your appliances, such as the refrigerator, microwave oven, or dishwasher as directed by the manufacturer.
4. Clean up damp places
Mould and mildew can grow in showers, bathrooms, and other damp places in the house, especially if there isn’t enough airflow. Scrub the bathroom tile and grout with your favourite cleaner at least once a month to keep mould and mildew from growing.
Don’t forget to check the fixtures and pipes for any signs of wear or corrosion, such as leaks, discoloration, or other changes. Check the caulking around showers, tubs, sinks, and the bases of toilets.
5. Check the systems in your home
Even if you don’t have to clean or fix your home’s systems every month, checking for problems is still a good idea.
If you notice any problems with your systems, such as your air conditioner, it is always wise to seek an air conditioner repair provider in Richmond Hill. Change out dirty filters to improve the air quality and make the system work better. You can also opt for furnace repair in Winnipeg for heating problems.
6. Pay attention to the pipes in your house
Checking your plumbing system should be a big part of taking care of your home. Look at it and see if there are any signs of damage. These include discoloration on metal pipes, cracking or crimping of plastic, deposits or rust-like buildup, frayed metal, and discoloration on braided supply hoses.
7. Check the gutters
Checking the gutters around your home is important, especially during the fall season. Make sure your gutters are clean since leaves can get stuck and prevent your gutters from properly functioning. Apart from leaves, other things could block your gutters from draining properly.
8. Take a good look around your home
Every month, check places you don’t go to often, like the attic or under a raised deck. Look for signs of insects, rodents, or even spiders. Be sure to contact spider control in Midland before they get too bad. Providing maintenance for your home can help you avoid problems that can incur a hefty sum just on costs alone. You may be insured from accidents or other things you can’t plan for. But nothing really beats if you take the matter into your hands and do actions that can protect against such costly problems in the future. Hence, follow this home maintenance checklist, and you are off to a good start!