As tempting as it can be to not think about certain parts of your house until they become a problem, being proactive in maintaining your house will ultimately save you time and money. Dealing with maintenance may be a bore, but dealing with a crisis is a much bigger headache. Still, maintaining a home is a big responsibility, and the amount of tasks to keep track of can be overwhelming. Here are 6 tips and tricks to keep your house in great shape:
1. Clean your gutters
If your gutters are not regularly cleaned, it is very easy for them to become clogged and weighed down by natural debris, causing the system to sag or break. Damaged or broken gutters cannot direct water away from your home and clogged gutters impede water flow, causing water to flow over gutter guards and resulting in water damage to your home. Experts recommend that you clean your gutters at least twice a year.
2. Inspect the roof
As the saying goes, “having a roof over your head” is an important part of having a safe shelter. Consequently, it is important to consistently check your roof for issues such as storm damage, leaks and drainage problems, and vegetation damage. Catching these small issues early can prevent more dangerous and more expensive issues from developing. It is generally recommended that you do not inspect your roof yourself, as that can lead to further damage to the roof or injury for yourself. Cleaning your roof with a power washer is also discouraged, as it can damage your shingles. As such, this is a great chore to pass off to someone else — try to hire a professional to inspect and maintain your roof at least once a year.
3. Tune up your furnace and change the filter
Especially if you live somewhere that gets cold, you’ll want to make sure that your furnace is in excellent condition as the winter months approach. Heating maintenance, which involves inspecting, cleaning, and replacing components of your furnace, can increase its efficiency, prevent costly and uncomfortable breakdowns, and extend the system’s lifespan. The quickest and easiest way to maximize efficiency is to change your furnace filter. Be sure you are following the owner’s manual, and consider hiring a professional to ensure proper maintenance.
4. Fix leaky faucets
Leaky, dripping faucets aren’t just annoying — they also waste water and can increase your water bill. How you fix the leak will depend on what type of faucet you have, though in general a leaky faucet is caused by a broken or worn out seal that will need to be repaired or replaced. Be sure to shut off the water under the sink before you begin and cover the drain so you don’t lose any parts to the plumbing.
5. Caulk and seal leaky doors and window
If you’ve ever felt a draft in the dead of winter, you’ll understand how important it is to make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed. Applying weatherstrips to windows and doors and filling in window gaps with gap filler or temporary caulk will not only keep you warm and toasty in the winter, but can also prevent water damage and help keep your utility bill down.
6. Clean dryer vents
Just as you should clean out the lint trap in your dryer every time you use it, it is also important to clean out the vent and duct at the back of your dryer. Not doing so can reduce your dryer’s efficiency and turn it into a fire hazard. The basic steps to clean your dryer vent are fairly simple: disconnect the dryer from the vent, vacuum or brush out the vent (while wearing safety gloves), and reconnect the dryer to the vent. Be sure to carefully follow the instructions for your dryer and clean out your dryer vent at least once a year.