Owning a home comes with extra costs because homes require maintenance. To make sure you are prepared for maintenance costs, you should set aside money each year to cover these costs. You need to regularly check your home, and check key points, to ensure that you don’t end up with costly repairs.
Water Leaks
Water leaks are a significant part of your home maintenance plan. Water leaks are wasteful and can cost you more money. The average home leaks about 17 gallons of water per day indoors. Water leaks can be damaged to your home so you should regularly check for leaks. Many leaks will go unnoticed for years because they are not visible, so it is important to check for leaks around your whole home. You can check your water meter to detect larger leaks. More common leaks to watch out for are faucet, shower, tub, and toilet leaks.
Mold
Mold is destructive to your home and to your health. Mold can cause allergic reactions and is linked to asthma, difficulty breathing and fevers. Mold can also degrade materials in your home like drywall, and wooden studs. The conditions for mold to grow can also cause fungi and other decaying organisms to grow. Mold can be present where there is poor ventilation and moisture. Mold can also be found in your HVAC system which will blow through your home and is difficult to remove. You should take care to remove mold and repair any damage caused by mold. Many materials won’t be able to be salvaged and must be replaced. You can reach out to a professional to fix any damage caused by mold, and make sure you are checking areas regularly for signs of mold growth.
Pest Infestations
Pest infestations are something to look out for because they can cause major damage to your home. Be aware of signs of pests in your home and take the steps necessary to have them removed. There are many signs that you can watch out for. One sign is black droppings. Ants, cockroaches, and bedbugs will all leave droppings. Different smells can indicate you have a pest problem, such as a urine-like smell or musty smell. Damaged furniture or plants can indicate pests are present because different bugs will eat away at these things. Spiderwebs can indicate pests and should be removed as well as any egg-sacks. Watch for signs and have your home regularly sprayed for bugs. Contact professionals if there is a need for pest removal.
Weather Damage
Weather damage is something to watch for in your home. You should be especially aware after a big storm or after a changing season, like fall to winter or winter to spring. Cracks can form in your cement because of the cold temperature and water. Cracks let water into your paving, weakening it and causing further damage. Your roof can also easily sustain weather damage, especially after a big storm. You should make sure that no shingles have fallen off and replace them when necessary. Damaged parts of your home should be repaired as quickly because additional inclement weather can cause more damage and will eventually ruin the structure of your home.
Clogged Gutters
Clogged or damaged gutters are something to watch out for because they can cause improper water drainage which can cause flooding and can damage your home and the foundation. A good time to check these is after winter months in a snowy climate because ice can form on the gutters when it is cold. Ice is heavy and can cause gutters to sag or break which can cause poor drainage. You should also check your gutters in the fall, especially before winter because debris can get into them and clog them. This will trap water and form ice which will lead to more damage.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Safety of your home is very important. It can be easy to overlook little things that will contribute to your safety. One thing many people overlook is checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These should be checked because they are lifesaving. Risk of dying in a house fire is significantly decreased if you perform the proper maintenance and have working detectors. Testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be done every month. You press the test button, and it will alert you. You should change out batteries every six months. Smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years and carbon monoxide 5-7.
HVAC Maintenance
Regular maintenance on your HVAC system can help you save money, improve the air quality in your home, increase comfort, increase safety, and help the environment. Regular maintenance helps you save money because you can spot problems early in your HVAC system and repair as needed, preventing breakdowns. You can also help increase the lifespan of your HVAC and reduce energy bills by helping your system run more smoothly. Maintaining your HVAC can help improve your air quality. You may also want to consider getting the ducts professionally cleaned.
Window and Door Seals
Window and door seals are an aspect of your home that can get overlooked. They can get wear and tear on them, especially those that are used often, such as your front door. To help your home maintain its temperature and reduce moisture you should make sure to keep window and door seals maintained. You should especially be aware if you can feel drafts, you can feel excess moisture on walls, or your energy bill is higher. You should also inspect window and door seals once a year to ensure they are intact.
You have a lot to worry about with your home’s maintenance. Create a list for yourself of regular checks to key points of your home. You can also perform maintenance in regular intervals such as monthly, annually, or by the changing of seasons. Regular maintenance is a great way to reduce the risk of costly damage to your home.
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