Owning a home is a worthwhile investment. It provides a living space where you can relax, unwind, and spend invaluable time with your family. As such, it is essential to practice proper maintenance to ensure it serves you for a lifetime.
A newly-built house is very attractive. However, to maintain the house’s curb appeal as well as its functionality requires effort.
In this article, we are going to discuss the small things you can do to ensure your home is in top-notch condition.
Let us delve into specifics.
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Have a home warranty plan
The first step to protecting your home is to have a home warranty plan. Home warranty plans go a long way in protecting you and your property. Yes, you will get warranties for appliances you buy and other things such as plumbing. However, home warranty plans stretch a little further and dig a little deeper as they cover you and your home in case of damage.
Apart from protection purposes, home warranty plans increase the value of your home, allowing you to easily sell it when the need arises. Buyers are always on the lookout for properties that are in good condition and communicating to them that you have a home warranty plan increases your chances of closing the sale.
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Maintain your filters
Your HVAC system is an essential part of any home, especially if you live in areas with extreme temperatures. To ensure it is in proper working condition, make sure you adopt a routine maintenance schedule for the filters.
The main function of the filters is to ensure dirt, dust, and other debris do not gain access into your home. Over time, the filters might get clogged, obstructing airflow. The accumulated dirt might also seep into the evaporator coil, making the filter inefficient.
To ensure good air quality, ensure you clean and change your filters routinely. In the cold season when it is windy, you can change them twice. During the summer, changing them once is enough.
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Control moisture levels
The importance of controlling humidity levels in your home cannot be over-emphasized. High moisture levels in your home can be particularly problematic to metallic surfaces as well as furniture. When condensation happens on metallic surfaces, they tend to rust. Furniture and walls are likely to grow molds. Also, the excessive humidity levels can be a health concern especially for people suffering from asthma and other breathing complications.
The trick is to ensure that your home is properly aerated and the air conditioning unit is working under optimum conditions. Always open windows for starters. That way, you are assured of comfort, enhanced efficiency, and safety of your home appliances.
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Outdoor cleanups
If you are looking to maintain your home as well as improve its curb appeal, outdoor cleaning is essential. During spring, start by clearing the leaves and covering your flowers with mulch. Mow the lawn and trim the hedges.
You also need to take care of your deck and patio. Look out for signs of rot. Also, make sure you wash the furniture and allow it to dry completely. Depending on how long ago you bought them, you might need to add a fresh coat of paint to ensure they regain their long-lost appeal.
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Check if your doorbell is working
The doorbell is one of the most overlooked things in the house. Always make sure your doorbell is in proper working condition. The last thing you want is a visitor remaining stranded at your doorstep unable to reach you.
If it is broken, make a point of replacing it. There is a myriad of tutorials on the internet showing how to replace a doorbell. If you are not so keen on DIY projects, call a locksmith to help you out. You can also kill two birds with one stone by asking them to do a thorough inspection of your doors and locks to ensure they are working properly and offering optimum security.
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Inspect your carbon monoxide detectors
Carbon monoxide leakages are a serious safety hazard. Considering that faulty furnaces are notorious for causing carbon monoxide leakages, such incidents are most common during the winter as many homes use furnaces to keep themselves warm.
As a maintenance task and safety precaution, make sure you change the carbon detector batteries at the start of winter. Routinely clean any dirt from the surface of the detectors with a soft brush. Also, you need to replace old units as well as test them to be sure they are working properly.
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Manage your garage door
Another overlooked part of a home is the garage. We are always going to work or running errands, and our cars are an instrumental part of facilitating these movements. As such, it is unwise for a person who uses their car every day not to take proper care of their garage.
The trick is to make sure the garage door runs smoothly by regular lubricating it. If you have children and have installed electronic eyes in your garage that sense movement, make a habit of checking it regularly. If it is not working, replace it immediately to ensure you and your family are safe.
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Regular drain cleaning
Whether you are cooking or cleaning, a considerable amount of dirt goes down the drain. The same applies when you are taking a bath or even cleaning your hair.
Over time, the accumulation of dirt and other debris may clog the drain, wreaking havoc in your overall drainage system. Such clogs might cause water to drain slower than usual and produce foul smells. Water might also back up into the house, causing floods or serious plumbing issues. To avoid this and other problems, you can schedule drain cleaning, repair, and maintenance services. That way, you can be sure to improve the lifespan of your drain as well as help you avoid expensive drainage repairs.
Conclusion
These are some of the simple maintenance tasks to do in your home to ensure optimal living conditions.
