Whether you have just moved into a new home, have spent many years in an older one, or your circumstances fall somewhere in-between, home maintenance will s-t-r-e-t-c-h your cost of living dollars.
And who doesn’t want that?
Taking care of your home DOES make a BIG difference. And it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Here are 12 easy steps you can take to protect your home’s value and keep things running smoothly in the day-to-day.
We broke them down into 5 categories. Many, only need to be done once a year. So pick a focus each month and maximize the great qualities of your home-sweet-home.
First Category: Protect the Building Envelope
Any part of your home that separates you from the outside elements is considered part of the building envelope. A good rule of thumb is: The tighter the envelope, the more energy-efficient your home will perform.
Be proactive on maintaining the areas that keep the outside elements OUT and your energy resources IN.
1) Inspecting and Cleaning the Windows
When it comes to security, efficiency, and good ol’ looks, windows have a corner on the market.
But if not maintained, all 3 functions deteriorate quickly.
Annually, inspect your windows and look to:
- Carefully clean the window frame and casing. Remove the dirt and dust which when built up, can cause a window to jam.
- Wipe down the glass to allow all the natural light in.
- Check the seals and caulk any gaps.
2) Keep the Front Door Fresh
Your front door is your home’s first impression. Keep it clean, uncluttered, and well-maintained for continued curb appeal.
Once a year, look at your front door through fresh eyes. Tend to any of these issues:
- Polish up a natural wood door
- Paint or touch-up an aluminum door
- Check the weatherstripping/seals to make sure cold and heat are not escaping
- Change out a doorknob that is old or not secure enough
3) Garage Door and Opener
Quarterly check the auto-reverse feature of your garage door by placing a 2×4 on the ground where the door would normally come down. It should reverse direction as soon as it hits the wood.
This maintenance step is particularly important if you have young children or pets around.
Keep it working smoothly by:
- Lubricating the chain and the metal joints
- Making sure that it is running correctly in its track
- Keeping items clear of the electronic eye
- Changing out the batteries every 1-2 years
Second Category: Keep the Chef Happy
Kitchens are typically the central part of any home.
And when the chef isn’t happy— because something isn’t working correctly—people may go hungry.
4) Clean Your Exhaust Hood and Your Kitchen Sink Disposal
The exhaust hood could easily slip under the radar as far as kitchen duties, but the accumulation of grease and grime can become a real eyesore and is definitely a fire hazard. Here are some simple steps to take:
- Rinse the filter in a degreaser mixed with water
- Replace the filter if it has been ignored for a long time
- Stay on top of this area by wiping down monthly and checking the filter biannually
For your sink disposal, place apple cider vinegar ice cubes down there once a month to keep it fresh and to sharpen the blades.
5) Vacuum the Refrigerator Coils
If saving money is important to you, remember this easy tip—vacuum your refrigerator coils. It can actually save you up to $100 a year in energy costs.
The dust that collects on the condenser can inhibit its efficiency.
Pulling your refrigerator out, at least a couple times a year, also allows you to clean under and around it. And who knows, you may find that long-lost piece of cheese that fell under the fridge—before it grows legs.
Third Category: Think Bathrooms
Obviously, the bathrooms in your home have an important job. And when they aren’t working up to par, no one is happy.
6) Check the Faucets, Drains, and Toilets
Since water will always take the path of least resistance, make sure you are regularly checking the plumbing fixtures. A small drip will inevitably turn into an annoying—and possibly costly—leak.
Check the seals every 6 months.
Run water through the bathrooms that aren’t used as often. Septic gases can seep up and cause an odor if there isn’t any water in the trap under the sink.
7) Help Your Septic to Work Optimally
Thanks to anti-bacterial soaps and bleaches—commonly used in many households—the beneficial bacteria that help break down wastes in your tank, are killed off.
Adding a product called, Rid-X, once a month can repopulate the billions of bacteria and enzymes that optimize how a septic system works.
If you have a large household, you may need to get your tank pumped once a year. And have the tank inspected every 3 years by a professional.
Fourth Category: Keep the Hot and Cold Coming
Once again, high efficiency means dollars saved. And this is particularly true in regards to getting your water hot and your air cool.
8) Check on Your Hot Water Heater
Once a year, you should inspect and flush out your hot water heater. This is especially true if you have hard water. Sediment can build up and impact the efficiency of your unit.
While checking it over, look for any loose fittings or corroded parts. This is one of those steps that if ignored, could cost you thousands of dollars.
9) Inspect and Clean Out the Air Handler
Floridians are able to deal with the brutal summer months thanks to our precious air handlers.
Because we count on them to work so hard during our long summer months, it’s not a bad idea to have a yearly maintenance check with a professional.
Keep it clean and check the breaker box carefully. Don’t be surprised if a critter—like a lizard—shorts out the unit when it accidentally gets electrocuted.
Fifth Category: Miscellaneous, But Important
Just because these come at the bottom of the list doesn’t mean they are any less important.
10) Change Out the Batteries on Smoke and Carbon Dioxide Detectors
More important than saving dollars is saving lives. This simple step can do just that. Make it a point twice a year to test the units and the batteries to make sure they are still working effectively.
11) Replace A/C Filters Monthly
When air moves, a LOT of dust moves with it. Just look at a filter and see how much is caught, instead of floating around your home.
Certain things can create even more dirt and dust—like:
- Pets
- Children
- A dirt road
- An older home
- An inefficient envelope
Prolong the life of your HVAC system AND cut down on allergens in the air by changing your filter out monthly. Depending on the filter, this may cost between $12-$30.
12) Clean Out the Gutters
Speaking of dust and dirt—AND you can add leaves, acorns, and critters to the list—it’s important to take time annually to clean out your gutters. The sediment over time can become heavy and will not allow the rain to flow off properly.
What Did We Forget?
This list is a great place to START when looking at regular maintenance on your home.
Taking a preventative approach and fixing small problems before they turn into costly repairs is a smart move.
But it doesn’t end with this list. What are some maintenance steps YOU take to keep your home in top-notch condition? Share in the comments. You might help someone else avoid a costly mistake.
