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.A home is an expensive investment, and seeing it degrade its value through the years is surely heartbreaking. How can you enjoy your investment if your home is damaged after a few years? Do you think you and your family will actually stay in this place if it no longer provides safety and security?
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. Regardless of the size of your home or the materials used in building it, you’re responsible for ensuring that your home stays in tiptop condition for the longest time possible. Neglecting this responsibility will only cause you more stress and expenses in the long run.
While there are some things you need to call in professionals to handle, there are just as many things you can easily handle yourself.
As long as you’re willing to spend a little more time and invest in minimal tools, you can easily keep your home in tip-top condition by 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.
In some cases, clogged gutters can cause moisture inside your home and allow molds to thrive. Clogged gutters can also become the reason why your home’s structure will weaken and become susceptible to damage from storms and heavy rains.
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 accomplish this task by using a ladder to climb up your roof and scoop the debris. If your home is located near trees or prone to storms, consider cleaning your gutters more often.
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.
Leaving this problem untreated can also cause your water bills to skyrocket, causing financial stress to the entire family. This is especially true if more than one faucet in your home is leaking.
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.The things you’ll learn from this course will help you fix leaking faucets as if you’re a Dallas plumber, making it easy for you to keep your home in tip-top condition in the long run.
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.
Regardless if your water heater is functioning properly, you should never disregard the importance of thoroughly cleaning this fixture. Remember, prevention is better than cure.
4. Refrigerators
Keeping your refrigerator seals in good shape ensures it works efficiently and that internal parts function well for longer.
A fully functioning refrigerator can keep your food fresher for longer periods, allowing you to save more money and reduce wastes.
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.
