If you have just bought or built a new home, you definitely want to keep it looking and feeling shiny for as long as possible.
Proper home maintenance improves your experience of living in it and ensures that your house does not degrade and lose its value over time. This ensures you get a good price on it if you ever decide to sell.
While there are some things you need to call in professionals to handle, there are just as many things you can easily handle yourself.
Here is a list of DIY tasks you can save money on.
1. Cleaning Your Gutters
Gutters tend to be forgotten until they cause bigger problems. By then, the damage is usually more significant and costly to fix.
The gutter carries debris and water away from your house’s foundation. When it gets clogged, it’s easy for water to find its way into the basement.
The gutter can also get too heavy with debris and standing water and become loose or even come undone.
Once or twice a year, clean your gutters by removing any debris physically. You can also use a garden hose to wash away smaller particles.
2. Leaky Faucets
Leaky faucets are more than a nuisance. This is because they encourage mold and mildew to grow.
The primary cause of leaking faucets is the washers. These are located inside the faucet handles and are made of rubber, which wears out easily.
To replace them, you need to turn off the water and unscrew the leaky handle.
You can also consider taking a course in plumbing to equip yourself with the skills to handle more complex plumbing issues. Besides this, being an in-demand skill, you can offer your skills for a fee around your neighborhood to earn an extra buck.
3. Water Heater
Fewer things are more frustrating than rushing home for a hot shower, only to get cold water.
Like any other appliance in your home, your water heater requires regular maintenance to prevent damage and increase its longevity.
The water coming into your heater has particles in it. These settle at the bottom of the heater and can begin to cause damage.
At least once or twice every year, turn off the water and power supplies, empty the heater and give it a thorough cleaning.
4. Refrigerators
Keeping your refrigerator seals in good shape ensures it works efficiently and that internal parts function well for longer.
Do the seal test every twice a year. For this, take a paper or a dollar bill and place it along the seal. Try and pull the note away with the closed door. If it slides off easily, it’s time for new seals.
You must also remember to clean coils at the back of your refrigerator if your unit has them. If dirt accumulates on these coils, your fridge might begin malfunctioning.
Turn your unit off and carefully vacuum the coils to remove any dirt and debris.
5. Replacing AC Filters
Your HVAC filter should be replaced every six months. If you have pets, this should be done every 30 to 60 days, as your unit is likely to collect pet dander.
This duration should be even shorter in high usage months, and if you have someone with allergies in your household.
This maintains good air quality and reduces strain on your HVAC system.
While these tips barely scratch the surface of home maintenance tasks, they are an excellent place to start. Be proactive and act fast because simple problems can become complicated and expensive to fix if neglected.
