Making sure that your house stays in good shape should always be your priority. If you know that your house is all good, then you will have peace of mind. But if there are parts of your house that may need some maintenance or repair, it’s better for you to know right away before it gets worse.
Maintenance Checklist
Checking on your house regularly could prevent any kind of more extensive damages and more expensive repairs in the future. But doing these check-up and maintenance routines only takes a few minutes, and most of the time you can even do it yourself. You would only need basic household equipment and tools, but having some professionals help you could also be advisable. Here are some parts of your house you should check every month:
-
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
It’s essential to regularly check your HVAC as it can harbor dirt, dust, molds, pollen, pet fur, spores, bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants or contaminants that are harmful to your lungs. If you have allergies, asthma, emphysema, or any other health conditions related to your lungs, all the more reason to do this kind of checking and maintenance.
Of course, the air ducts could be difficult to clean on your own. If you notice that your HVAC needs some cleaning, you can hire a professional vent cleaner to make sure the job gets done correctly.
During summer and winter, when you will be using your HVAC most of the time, you should ensure that it’s clean and can adequately heat and cool your house during the entire season. You wouldn’t want to freeze during winter and sweat profusely in summer.
-
Plumbing
You should not forget to spend time checking if your toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, and other sources of water have leaks. If you overlook this part of your house, it could cause you financial burdens because you are paying for water that’s leaking, which could also rot away a part of your house that is constantly getting wet.
Regularly inspecting these parts of your house would help you identify any drainage problems and mineral depots that cramp water flow. It’s the same with leakages, that if clogging is undetected and unrepaired for a long time, it might cause damages to your property that will be expensive to repair.
-
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Carbon monoxide is a type of gas that is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. It could come from fumes from your cars, stoves, grills, gas ranges, and furnaces. If it builds up indoors, you could get carbon monoxide poisoning, and this is why it’s crucial to have a carbon monoxide detector in your house.
On the other hand, the smoke detectors are also vital in keeping you safe and alarming you if there is a fire in the house. These two detectors are lifesavers, so make sure they are fully functional and that you change their batteries every six months.
-
Roof
During winter, there is a chance that your roof could get damaged by snow and ice that could cause leaks. You can inspect your roof from afar, but avoid going up there because ladder accidents are prevalent, even if you are cautious. It would be advisable to call a professional to help you if you suspect that your roof needs repairs.
-
Gutters
It is crucial to regularly check your gutters and clean them to prevent them from being clogged with sticks, leaves, and other junk. If left uncleaned for a long time, clogged gutters could damage your roof, which could cause leaks. Also, uncleaned gutters could be a home for some pests and rodents, and you wouldn’t want to have some unwelcome creatures in your house.
-
Deck, porch, and patio
These parts of your house are constantly under the sun and wet by the rain, which could rot the wood and cause some nails to protrude. To prevent that from happening, you have to choose a day when it’s sunny and then apply a sealant or a coat of stain to protect these areas of your house from any extreme weather conditions. If you spot any protruding nails, then don’t leave it like that, of course.
There’s nothing like being at home in your own house. And to feel that way you have to also take good care of your house. Of course, more corners of your house are prone to damage, but with everything covered here, you would surely notice if any of them would need your attention and maintenance skills.
