Home maintenance might be a lot of work, but it’s essential to ensuring your home stays in tip-top shape. Making small fixes, cleaning, clearing, and improving can also help prevent much larger issues, such as leaks, floods, rot, and more. So in short, taking a weekend to clear your gutters, seal leaks, or patch up holes could mean avoiding some big repairs—and big bills—in the long run.
Are You Doing These Home Maintenance Chores?
Every home requires regular maintenance. And while the type of maintenance needed definitely depends on the home (size, location, amenities, etc.), there are some tasks that just about every homeowner should have on their to-do list. So, get ready to cross these chores off your home maintenance checklist for the year.
Clear your gutters
Gutters fill up with leaves, twigs, and other debris, which break down to form a thick detritus that can clog those pipes—leading to dangerous backups and potential flooding. As a homeowner, clearing gutters requires you to climb onto the roof to scrape the gunk out. If you’re not comfortable with heights, or you feel your gutters might need a more thorough check, definitely hire a pro to tackle the job for you.
Check or replace HVAC filters
Depending on the type of HVAC you have, you might need to clean out your filters or replace them entirely. Either way, it’s probably a good idea to have a pro give your system a thorough tuneup once a year.
Re-caulk tubs or sinks
Check the caulking around your tub and sinks. If it’s dingy, or starting to crack, it’s definitely worth the time to replace. Remember, your caulking prevents water from seeping into seams and potentially causing mold. Scrape away the old caulking first, and be sure the space is dry before you reseal.
Trim back trees, branches, or hedges
Overhanging branches don’t just block your sunlight; they can be potentially hazardous to your home, too. For larger branches or trees, you probably want to hire a pro to safely clear away some space. You might also want to remove any bushes or plants growing too close to your siding, as these could potentially trap moisture in.
Powerwash your siding & decking
While it’s possible to rent or purchase the materials required to powerwash your home, it’s probably easier (and safer) to hire a pro for this task. However, you can start by washing windows inside and out, and you may even be able to get away with using a garden hose and siding cleaning kit to spruce up your exterior.
Test your smoke detectors
Ensuring your home has a working smoke detector is a very simple and incredibly important step to keeping your home in safe working order. It’s a good idea to switch out the batteries in your smoke detectors once a year, just to be safe!
Give your home a thorough inspection
You’ve completed your checklist, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in the clear! Regularly inspect your home, paying particular attention to critical areas such as piping, plumbing, and roofing. Keep an out for cracks, leaks, creaks, or other signs that something might be amiss. If you’re ever unsure, it’s probably best to call in a pro to get a second opinion.
Need Help with Home Maintenance or Repairs?
Need a hand with a touch-up or improvement? Not sure if you might need a repair? We’d be happy to lend a hand! Contact Raleigh Woodworks today, and let’s talk about how we can help make your home the very best it can be!