There are maintenance tasks around the home that are an absolute must to do in order to keep on top of all the hassle that comes with owning a home.
The more you can keep on top of your maintenance tips, the more you’re going to keep your home low-maintenance and fuss-free.
With that being said, here are ten maintenance tasks that should always be on your to-do list this year and every year going forward.
1. Keep your gutters clean
Gutters are something to pay close attention to, even if your gutters are mainly closed off. When it comes to your gutters, you should be clearing out the debris and ensuring the gutters themselves are in good condition.
If your gutters are cluttered with any debris from fallen foliage or materials blown over from other properties, then it can cause blockages in these gutters.
A blockage can cause water damage to your home’s foundations which can result in costly repairs and problems with mold and dampness.
Clearing the clutter in your gutters will also avoid any problems with pests making these parts of the property, their home.
Make sure you get your gutters checked if you need a professional hand, or check carefully yourself if the gutters are easily and safely accessible.
2. Clean your dryer vents and filters to prevent fires
Dryer vents are something to be aware of when it comes to protecting your home from potential fire hazards.
Dryer vents will often have a build-up of fluff and other debris, which could be a fire risk if you’re powering up your dryer on a regular basis and not clearing those vents.
These vents are easy enough to access and can be cleared completely within just a few seconds.
Any dryer vents that can be removed and washed are also worth doing regularly so that you’re getting rid of the more minute debris that you might not wipe off with the bigger bits.
You should also look to replace your dryer vents/filters as and when required as some might not last forever and need replacing for fire prevention purposes.
Not only that but it can be helpful to keep them in good shape for the sake of your clothing and to avoid damage to your belongings.
3. Inspect your roof annually
Your roof should be inspected annually so that you can keep an eye on its integrity. After all, it plays a major role in your home’s safety and security.
By not inspecting the roof regularly, you’re going to let underlying problems go unresolved and that could result in more damage done to the roof and your home in general.
With that in mind, having an expert in roofing and guttering is a great way to ensure your roof is always in good shape and that it doesn’t result in problems that could cost you thousands in repairs.
Not every homeowner thinks to inspect their roof and so often enough, those underlying problems can end up causing more damage than necessary.
4. Keep an eye on any plumbing issues
Plumbing issues are something to be aware of because your drainage system should be functioning as efficiently as possible.
If it’s not functioning as it should, then this could cause problems in many areas of the home, as well as being disruptive to your daily activities as a household.
A drain cleaning service is good to take advantage of as it can help to keep your pipes free of debris and anything that could be building up which could end up causing a blockage.
There are often tell-tale signs of drainage problems, which is why it’s important to stay on top of it where you can.
From foul smells to water coming back up from the plug hole, these are obvious indications that your drains aren’t draining properly and therefore need your attention.
It’s always better to get help for drainage problems, rather than to try and do it yourself. While unblocking a toilet might be easy enough, you might not be able to tackle the problems that are more severe and are likely to cause flooding due to a lack of experience
5. Ensure your garbage is disposed of carefully to avoid pests
Pests can be a nightmare in the home and they’re something that you want to avoid getting in your home in general.
When it comes to pests, it’s important to put in preventative measures to stop them from entering your home in the first place.
From sealing up any entry or exit points to tackling problems with your outdoor trash cans and keeping your kitchen areas clean where food can be found.
There are many ways in which you can prevent pests from making a home in your home and the garbage is the main one.
Ensure your garbage is disposed of carefully so as to avoid pests picking up fallen food and other edible items. Making sure garbage cans are emptied carefully and storing all outdoor trash cans in secure spaces is worthwhile.
You can also put locks on your trash bins to keep any stronger pests from knocking them down and emptying out the contents in the process.
6. Restock your cleaning supplies
To help with general cleanliness around the home, it’s always worth restocking your cleaning supplies as and where necessary.
It’s handy to have a good supply of cleaning supplies on hand so that you can tackle any mess that happens unexpectedly or when you want to do a routine tidy-up of the property.
From floor cleaners to spot cleaning your couch or bed, there’s a cleaning product out there for everyone to make use of.
By restocking your cleaning supplies, you can ensure your home stays nice and clean, all year round
7. Ventilate your property
Ventilating your property is a good way of keeping mold and dampness at bay. When you have a lot of heat building up in your home, you want to make sure you’re expelling that hot air and ensuring cool air comes into the home too.
By trapping any heat or moisture in the home, you’re more likely going to get a lot of mold building up, as well as dampness in areas where condensation is high – like the bathroom for example.
Make sure to properly ventilate your property and that way, you can be sure to keep on top of the mold or dampness that would otherwise form.
If you’ve already noticed dampness or mold in the home, then you’ll want to get this seen too as it can end up causing health problems further down the line if not treated properly.
8. Fix any vulnerabilities in your doors and windows
Your doors and windows are vulnerable points of the home, which is why you want to fix any problems where either doors or windows have been compromised.
Over time, general wear and tear are expected, so that’s why you should be checking each and every door and window for any signs.
Look for warping around doors and windows, check the ventilation, and for any drafts. There should also be visual signs if a door or window is compromised, especially if that involves cracked framing or window panes that are broken.
It’s better to get these replaced than to ignore the problem. Otherwise, it could make your home more vulnerable to break-ins if an opportunist sees your home’s vulnerable or weak spots and makes use of them to steal your property.
9. Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are vital to have in your home and can be the difference between getting out of your home safely and ending up in a precarious position due to the alarms not working properly.
Every alarm needs to be fitted with a working battery. If you’ve not checked the detectors for a while, or can’t remember the last time you did, then that should be a reminder to get them checked.
Most smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are easy to check and can be replaced with new batteries easily. Checking them every month is regular enough to ensure these alarms aren’t forgotten about.
10. Keep up with your landscaping to boost curb appeal
Landscaping is a great way to boost your home’s curb appeal and it’s something to maintain when it’s looking the way you want it to look.
Consider what you could do in order to improve your garden’s appearance and the exterior appearance of your home in general. The better condition you keep it in, the less you’ll need to do with it on a regular basis.
Your outdoor space is just as important as your interiors, so make sure to pay attention to it throughout the year.
These ten maintenance tasks aren’t exhaustive, so be sure to check what needs to be done around your home and make sure to prioritize any urgent problems to prevent any further damage or costs in the future.
These tips will help keep your home in good, working order, all year round.