Far too many Americans are putting off routine home maintenance. The average American has a to-do-list of nine projects or more that desperately needs to be completed.
One-third of homeowners are delaying a job for more than a year. This is not a wise long-term strategy.
Putting off home maintenance can result in costly failures. The last thing you want is to replace an HVAC unit or roof because of personal neglect.
Read on for a comprehensive guide to homeowner maintenance. Explore five home maintenance tips that are certain to keep your house in good condition.
1. Maintain the HVAC Unit
One of the most expensive items in your home is certainly the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Replacing an HVAC system costs $3,000 to $7,000 on average.
Several maintenance steps can help you extend the service life of your unit. For example, you should replace the air filters every 30 to 90 days. This helps the HVAC unit run more efficiently and last longer.
Another way to extend the service life is by installing a smart thermostat. These thermostats promote energy-efficiency and automatically control your home’s temperature.
The plumbing on your HVAC unit can clog and cause links. Maintaining the plumbing on your HVAC unit is beyond the average homeowner. More information on hiring a professional can be found here.
2. Gutters and Roof
It is critical that you routinely clean your gutters and any debris from the roof. If you allow leaves and tree branches to sit on the roof, water can pool around the debris and cause leaks.
Gutters are an integral part of your home as they direct water away from your home. If your gutters are clogged, water can pool near the home and lead to leaks. Pooled water in a crawlspace can result in moldy conditions.
3. Caulking
Caulking is another maintenance task that you should do routinely. This should be done around all of your windows, tubs, and showers. The intent is to prevent air and water from entering these cracks.
With a knife, you should carefully remove any old and deteriorating caulk. Then, put a thin line of caulking around each area.
4. Test Your Smoke Detectors
You should routinely test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Far too many people die in home fires because their smoke detectors are not working properly.
Set an annual reminder to check each detector. At the same time, you should swap out the batteries for each detector.
5. Routine Inspection
It is important that you routinely inspect the interior and exterior of your home. You should carefully look for cracks in the foundation or chimney.
Also, take a look at the roof for curled or damaged shingles. Get into the crawlspace or attic to check for leaks.
The Ultimate Homeowner Maintenance Guide
By being vigilant with home maintenance, you save thousands of dollars. Neglect is the reason that more serious issues develop.
If you enjoyed this homeowner maintenance guide, check out our blog for more great content.
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