10 Easy Home Maintenance Tasks That Will Make a Huge Difference
Small issues in your home that are consistently ignored can lead to bigger, more complicated problems. For instance, a small faucet leak may sound “simple” and “harmless,” but it can actually lead to gallons of wasted water, among other things.
Keeping an eye out for the little things can help prevent major repairs down the road. So if you’re planning to eventually sell your home, here are some basic home maintenance tips that will make a huge difference and will help you preserve your home.
1. Clean out your dryer vent. This simple home maintenance task can also save lives. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, “about 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.” And the leading cause of this is the failure to clean the dryer. To prevent this, the organization suggests that the lint filter should be cleaned before and after each load of laundry (including the back of the dryer where the build up can happen). On top of that, the vent pipe should also be cleaned every 3 months.
2. Maintain your roof. Roof repairs and roof replacement are not cheap, so it’s only practical to take good care of your current roofing system to avoid costly repairs and premature replacement. Proper roof maintenance is a necessity to increase its lifespan, help prevent leaks (which can potentially lead to water damage), and even help your HVAC system operate more efficiently. Hire a licensed roofing company to conduct an inspection at least once a year. A skilled roofer can see what an untrained eye can’t.
3. Change your HVAC filters. This is one of the easiest maintenance tasks you can do in your home, but is also one of the most important ones. Be sure to change your filter every 90 days or 3 months, or even more often depending on the condition of your air filter. A dirty air filter will compromise the performance of your HVAC system, causing it to work even harder, which means higher utility bills and a shorter lifespan. Additionally, a dirty air filter means poor indoor air quality which can cause a host of health problems such as allergic reactions and respiratory conditions.
4. Have your HVAC system regularly serviced. Waking up to a broken heating system in the middle of the winter is a nightmare. Your HVAC system works hard to keep you comfortable in the summer and winter. Have your unit professionally inspected at least twice a year — in the fall and spring. This will help you catch minor problems early, avoid costly repairs, prolong the life of your unit, and ensure comfort in your home all year round.
5. Regularly check for pest infestation. If you’re on social media, you’ve probably seen those popular videos of pest control companies removing uninvited guests from the ceiling or underneath the floorboards. And maybe, you’ve also asked yourself, “How did it get so bad?” Well, a pest invasion does not happen overnight. It happens slowly and all the action usually happens right under your nose. To prevent creepy crawlers from invading your home, don’t forget to hire a professional pest control company for an inspection. The recommendation is once a year, but depending on a lot of factors, your local pest control company might require more frequent inspections. The earlier you address pest issues, the better.
6. Give your exhaust fans a deep clean. This applies to both your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans. By doing this at least once a year, you avoid mold growth and help lengthen the service life of your exhaust fans. This is a very simple yet effective way to keep your indoor air quality healthy and your equipment to perform optimally.
7. Drain your water heater. This task can be done by you or a family member, or if you are not confident enough to do it yourself, by a licensed plumber. Flushing out the water heater needs to be done at least once a year to remove any debris or sediments in the tank. If left unchecked, these minerals and debris will accumulate and calcify and will be difficult or even impossible to remove. This will result in a decrease in the efficiency and lifespan of the water heater and may even result in a unit replacement.
8. Keep your gutters clean. Gutters are a very important component of the entire roofing system because they keep the water away from your property. However, when gutters become filled with leaves, twigs, and other materials, clogs and leaks can happen. Don’t forget to always keep your gutters clean to avoid expensive repairs down the line. Most professionals recommend that this is done at least twice a year – in the spring and in the fall. However, you may have to clean your gutters more frequently if you have several trees close to your home.
9. Don’t ignore slow drains. Slow drains are a huge inconvenience. Usually, they also come with another set of problems that you need to deal with such as mold growth (because of the pooling water), unpleasant smells, stains, leaks, etc. And worse, slow drains are only a symptom of a much bigger problem. In order to remedy a slow drain, skip the band-aid solution you can find on the internet. Hire a licensed plumber who has the knowledge and necessary tools to diagnose the root cause of the issue and provide the best solution before the problem gets worse.
10. Seal your grout. Unfortunately, grout will not look good forever. Because of its consistent exposure to water and traffic, grout will show signs of normal wear and tear such as stains, peeling, crumbling, or even mold and mildew over time. Aside from cleaning it on a regular basis, the basic rule of thumb is that you apply a grout sealant at least once a year.
There are several maintenance tasks you need to do to keep your home in tip-top shape. It can be overwhelming, but you can try to create a home maintenance calendar and set reminders ahead of time to make it less stressful. Sticking to your maintenance schedule will help you avoid costly repairs when it’s time to sell your home.
However, we do understand that for some homeowners, keeping up with the entire maintenance checklist is hard or even close to impossible. If you need to sell a house which is in a poor condition, there is a solution! Do not worry about the repairs or staging your house. Call us at 800-976-SOLD today to speak with one of our real estate professionals.