A family home is built with tough walls, a sealed roof, and a strong foundation. Inside, the finishings are meant to combine form with function to create the perfect blend of usability and aesthetics.
However, a home must be regularly maintained to ensure everything is in top condition and not falling into disarray. Neglecting small repairs and maintenance results in larger repair or replacement bills that could’ve been avoided.
This article outlines the most important home maintenance tips that homeowners should know if they want to avoid expensive repairs. Read right to the end to learn the essentials.
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Essential Maintenance Tips To Avoid Expensive Repairs
Regular Roof Care
Twice a year, hire a trusted roofing contractor to survey your roof to assess its condition. This is particularly important after winter, severe weather events, or potential roof damage. The most obvious signs include missing or damaged shingles, roof leaks, or sagging.
Roof damage is often silent and out of sight, only showing its ugly head once the issue has progressed. Avoid this by scheduling roof inspections to gauge roof damage.
Checking The Plumbing
Begin by inspecting your pipes, faucets, and under the kitchen and bathroom sinks for water leaks. Even small, irregular water dripping can result in major water damage and high water bills. If your water bill has a peculiar increase, this is often due to hidden leaks somewhere in your plumbing.
Water leaks can drive up water bills and cause widespread damage to pipes, walls, and sockets. Addressing the issue while it is minor prevents mold development or extensive water damage.
HVAC Maintenance
If your home has central air conditioning or an internal ventilation system, change the filters once every three months or more if you live somewhere dry and dusty. Get professional tune-ups for your HVAC system before the summer and winter to ensure your home is cool or toasty, depending on the weather outside.
Have professional vent and duct cleaners come in to clear out your system to improve airflow and prevent the strain on the HVAC system. Additionally, don’t fall for scammers who are selling duct cleaning over the phone. Do your research and find HVAC contractors where you live.
Scheduled Exterior Care
If your paint is chipping, have it redone, and if you’re getting it repainted, switch it to a new color. Reseal any trim, siding, and windows with loose or damaged seals.
Get the foundation for your home checked for any damage or cracks. If you find some, immediately get them repaired to prevent them from growing and potentially causing a lot of harm.
Checking Safety Systems
Get your security system, smoke detectors, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide alarms checked once a month just to be safe. Keep fire extinguishers on hand in the kitchen, bathroom, and garage.
Replace the batteries where they are used to ensure the device is operational in case something goes wrong. Finally, ensure your home security system is in working condition with every sensor and alarm.
Keeping Home Repair Costs Down
When it comes to home ownership, proactive prevention is always better than reactionary repairs. Homeowners must take the essential steps required to keep their homes in working shape to avoid big repair bills due to negligence.
Preventative maintenance involves regular roof care to check for damaged shingles or leaks, checking the plumbing to ensure there are no leaks or blockages, and scheduled HVAC system maintenance combined with timely exterior care.
Lastly, all home safety systems need to be operational because a bad situation never announces itself, and you need to be ready when it comes around.