Let’s start off 2022 with some maintenance tips that can keep your home looking its best and operating at peak performance.
New homeowners may not realize the amount of work that goes into the upkeep of a house. However, what starts as a tedious maintenance task can become a pricey repair if left unattended. For example, if you forget to replace the air filters on your HVAC system, the buildup can decrease efficiency, increase the cost of cooling your home, and damage your furnace. It is essential to stay on top of all the minor maintenance tasks needed to keep a house running smoothly to prevent more significant fixes down the line. Here are some maintenance tips that will help preserve your home’s value and functionality well into the future.
Homeowners Maintenance Tips
- Repair any dead outlets: It’s a good idea to check all outlets in your home once a year to ensure they are functioning as they should. You should also have GFCIs installed on outlets near any water source, like your kitchens, bathrooms, or exterior. Do not attempt these repairs yourself–hire a licensed electrician who understands how to deal with electrical components.
- Switch your fan’s direction with the season: To save money and energy, make sure your ceiling fans are spinning in the correct direction. Many people don’t realize that when the fan turns counterclockwise, it pushes cool air down from the ceiling. This helps during the summer to keep cool air coming down and warm air lifting to the ceiling. In winter, the fan should spin clockwise, which helps spread the warmth from your heater. Having the fan spinning correctly can decrease your HVAC bill by up to 10%.
- Check the seals in your bathroom. Recaulk your tub, shower, pipe fixtures, etc., as soon as you notice peeling or wear. You don’t want to risk having moisture seep into the subfloor or crawlspace below. The grout in your tiles should also be regularly cleaned and bleached to prevent mold from growing.
- Clear the drains. When you notice a sink or shower drain slowly, it’s time to clean them out. While chemical drain cleaners are an option, it is better for your pipes if you pull out the blockage with a wire hanger or drain snake.
- Monitor your water bill for leaks. That’s right. You may not notice a leak in person, such as a pipe leaking in the crawl space or underneath a cabinet. However, your water bill will undoubtedly tell you when you suddenly use more water than usual. If you notice an unusual spike, thoroughly look through your house to try and identify a possible leak.
- How is your doorbell? If it is faulty, repair and replace it. It is a relatively simple improvement, but it makes a bad first impression for potential buyers if you leave it unfixed. If the wiring doesn’t work anymore, you can cap the wires, tuck them into the wall, then install a wireless battery-operated unit instead for a quick and inexpensive solution.
- Take a look at your gutters. Any cracks in the gutters or disconnected downspouts can lead to water collecting near your home’s foundation and leaking into the crawlspace. Be sure heavy flows of water are appropriately directed away from your house.
Sometimes simple maintenance tips are not enough for the job at hand – and you need to remodel in order to reach your desired results. If you have a kitchen, bathroom, or outdoor area that is in need of renovation, call the experts at West Coast Design Build Florida. Our professional contractors specialize in providing design and installation services for the most beautiful renovations in Sarasota.
