The following are ten key services your home maintenance schedule should include on an annual basis to ensure your house is well maintained. Sometimes it seems like an interminable catalog of tasks that you need to accomplish to maintain a home, but it is important to ensure that you perform the necessary maintenance yearly to guarantee the functionality and durability of your house.
Frequent maintenance not only keeps your house a warm and secure refuge but it can prevent expensive maintenance in the long term.
The following are ten key services your home maintenance schedule should include on an annual basis to ensure your house is well maintained.
1. HVAC System Test and Service
Your HVAC system is laboring all year round to ensure you are comfortable and it is therefore important to accord it some care at least once a year. Arrange an appointment with a professional who will clean the ducts, check the leaks, change the filters and ensure everything is running efficiently. This will not only increase the life of your system, but will also enhance indoor air quality and will probably reduce your energy bills.
2. Roof Inspection
The roof is the initial barrier of your house to the elements. A roof check which is conducted yearly can help to fix minor problems before they escalate into major problems. Check the shingles, look for any shingles that are missing or damaged, any evidence of water damage, and gutters and downspouts, make sure they are clear. With a bit of care every year, it will spare the all-too-common headache of leaks and structural damage.
3. Plumbing Check-Up
Minor inconveniences can turn into big pains rather fast when it comes to plumbing issues. Get your plumbing system inspected by a professional once a year, to ensure there are no leakages, corrosion and the right amount of water pressure. This involves checking your water heater to check it isn’t old, and emptying it to get rid of sediments that may make it wear out and last longer.
4. Inspection Of The Electrical System
Electrical problems are inconvenient, but they can be dangerous. A licensed electrician can detect electrical hazards such as outdated wiring, overloaded circuits, faulty breakers through an annual inspection. This proactive action can help to secure your house in case of a fire and make sure that your electrical system is capable of serving your needs in the home.
5. Pest Control
Although you may not have noticed any pests, a pest control exercise is a prudent investment once a year. Unchecked termites, rodents and other pests can be very destructive. A professional pest control company will examine the infestation indications and offer a treatment to ensure that your home is pest-free.
6. Cleaning Chimneys and Fireplaces
Should you have a warm fire during the winter season, a chimney and fireplace cleaning should be done annually. A build-up of creosote in chimneys can result in hazardous chimney fires. To eliminate this accumulation, a professional cleaning will be done to check for any structural problems and make sure your fireplace is safe and efficient.
7. Gutter Cleaning
Obstructed gutters may cause water to damage the foundation, roof and walls of your home. Have the gutters cleaned at least once a year to get the leaves, twigs and other debris off. Keeping your gutters and downspouts clear will ensure you are diverting rainwater away your home, which could cause damage.
8. Outside Caulking and Sealing
Weather may have its way with the exterior of your home. Drafts and water can be prevented by an annual check of your home caulking and sealing around your windows, doors and other openings. It is an easy activity that will save you money by making your home more efficient with regard to energy usage and will save you money in the future, by avoiding expensive water damage.
9. Septic System Maintenance
In homes that have a septic system, it is important that the system is maintained regularly. Leaks or blockages that could lead to the failure of the system can be identified during an annual inspection. By pumping the tank when necessary and monitoring the drain field, you will ensure that your septic system flows and will not create any unpleasant surprises.
10. Lawn and Garden Care
The exterior of your home is not any smaller than the interior. Yearly lawn and garden work can make your place of residence look beautiful and healthy. This involves mowing the lawn, clipping trees and shrubs, fertilizing, and searching the lawn and trees to find evidence of disease or pests. Sometimes proper landscape care will increase the curb appeal of your home and help avoid harm to the exterior of your house.
Bonus Advice To do Home Maintenance
It may seem like a lot of work to keep track of all of this but it can be done easier:
Make a Maintenance Calendar: Space work out over the year to prevent being overwhelmed. Schedule HVAC maintenance in spring before the summer heat begins, for example.
Record Keeps: Store a record of all inspections, repairs and maintenance. Not only does this keep you organized but it also comes in handy, should you ever need to sell your home.
Create reminders: Have electronic reminders on your phone or computer to remind you when you need to book services. This will not leave you without a major task of maintenance.
Hire Professionals: There are jobs that can be done on your own; however, professional skills are needed to do the other jobs. Feel free to contract professionals to get the job done the right way without compromising on safety. Home maintenance is not the most flashy activity and may not seem that important to you, but it is very necessary when it comes to safeguarding your investment and keeping your home a safe and comfortable place to live. With these ten key services scheduled once per year you will be able to detect possible problems at the very beginning, you will also be able to save money and you will feel confident that your home is in good condition.
