While many new buyers are excited to make a house a home, it can be easy to forget a lot of the important maintenance tasks needed to keep a home in working order. Letting little things slip can require steep repair costs, and some issues can even lower the value of your home. To keep your home in pristine condition, here are five things you should be checking often.
1. Electrical System
Most people use electricity in their homes constantly. Even at night, appliances stay plugged in, lights get left on, and security systems run on full power. Since you use it so often, don’t be afraid to get comfortable with your home’s electrical system. Make sure you’re taking all necessary safety precautions first, and you probably don’t want to try fixing any issues yourself, but you should know where your power distribution block is at the bare minimum. Look for any faulty outlets, listen for strange sounds, look for anything that appears different, and make sure there are no unexplained surges in your electric bill.
2. HVAC
Your HVAC system is another system that works almost constantly. Not only is this system responsible for keeping your air temperatures comfortable, but also maintaining healthy air quality. These systems require regular maintenance to keep working correctly. Simply forgetting to change the filter can cause your system to work harder than it should, which will likely be reflected on your bill. All that extra work can also cause your system to break down sooner, costing you even more to replace it. Plus, dirty filters won’t help you keep your air clean, and you may experience issues with allergens. If you don’t clean your vents, you could be breathing in all sorts of dust, mold, and other irritants.
3. Plumbing
Many older homes get renovated, but plumbing isn’t always a top priority. You should check your pipes to make sure the materials aren’t harmful or damaged from years of wear and tear. You should also locate your water main to make sure you can turn it off in an emergency. Extreme changes in temperature can cause serious damage to your pipes, so it’s not a bad idea to periodically check your pipes for any changes. Look for leaks, drips, and issues with your pipe insulation. Make sure your sump pump is cleaned, and if you’ve just moved in, have your water heater inspected.
4. Home Exterior
You probably see most of the front of your home whenever you leave and return, but how often do you check out the exterior of your entire house? Issues with the exterior often point to major issues with the interior. Bubbling paint, rotting wood or window sills, malfunctioning gutters, and exposed areas can all indicate serious problems. You might miss cracks in the foundation, or tiles slipping off the roof. Many of these start off small and may not be noticeable at first, like leaking gutters in a rainstorm, so it’s important to check often.
5. Attic
Even if you only use your attic for storage, you should head up there regularly to make sure there aren’t any pests or signs of other damage. This is a prime spot for leaks that could be causing your energy bills to soar. Water damage, pests, or issues with insulation could all be happening right above you. Many homeowners only noticed their leaky roof when the water stains showed up on their ceiling. This is especially important if you’re storing valuable items that can’t be replaced, or you plan on turning your attic into a fully functioning room in the future.
It’s easy to let life get in the way, but if you don’t take care of your house now, emergency repairs will force your hand in the future. By making these checks into a routine, you can quickly assess your home’s condition and keep your household running beautifully.
