Welcome to the New Year! It's the perfect time to embrace our New Year's complete home maintenance checklist.
And the best news? Regular home maintenance is more than a chore; it's an investment. Keeping up with those little home maintenance tasks can boost your home's value by 1% each year. That's right, staying on top of things like inspecting the roof and cleaning those refrigerator coils pays off!
Sounds like a lot of work, right? Not if you think of it as nurturing your biggest asset. Join us in transforming your home maintenance from a to-do list into a rewarding journey for your home and family!
Let's first focus on the exterior of your property. Remember, the outside of your home is more than just a pretty facade; it's the shield that protects your cozy indoors from the elements. So, let's begin with some essential exterior maintenance tasks.
Your roof is your home's first line of defense against Mother Nature and deserves a thorough check-up.
Keep an eye out for missing or damaged shingles, especially after an episode of heavy rain or wind. A well-maintained roof not only looks good but also prevents damaging leaks and costly water damage. Regular roof inspections can help identify potential problems early, avoiding more extensive and expensive repairs in the future.
Gutters and drains might not be the most glamorous part of your home, but they sure are crucial.
You see, blocked drains can be more than just a nuisance; they're a silent threat to your home's foundation. When water pools around the foundation due to clogged gutters, it seeps into the soil, causing expansion. This expansion puts undue pressure on the foundation, leading to cracks or shifts.
Water erosion beneath the foundation can cause it to sink or settle unevenly. Over time, these issues can lead to substantial structural damage and expensive repairs. Regularly maintaining your drainage systems will prevent these problems, ensuring the stability and longevity of your home's foundation.
Properly functioning windows and doors seal your home against weather elements, contributing to energy efficiency by reducing heating and cooling costs. They also play a vital role in home security, ensuring that locks and latches operate correctly.
Regular checks and maintenance directly impact your comfort and safety and your home's appearance.
As we say hello to a brand-new year, it's the perfect opportunity to give your HVAC system the attention it deserves. Just like a car, your home's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system needs regular checkups to run smoothly. Let's start by ensuring your system is ready to keep you comfortable through the seasons.
Changing your filters is one of the simplest yet most effective spring-cleaning steps in HVAC maintenance. (This isn't just about the HVAC filters - don't forget your vacuum and furnace filter too!) Regularly swapping out these filters is crucial for maintaining air quality and efficiency in your home.
Clogged or dirty filters mean your system must work harder, leading to increased energy costs and reducing the equipment's lifespan.
A well-maintained air conditioning system is key to a comfortable and efficient home. Regular inspections and tune-ups can keep your AC running smoothly and prevent unexpected breakdowns. When checking your system, consider these key aspects:
Inspect for visible damage
Check for leaks
Clean and remove debris
Test system efficiency
Ensure proper refrigerant levels
Clean air filters
Verify thermostat function
One area that we really don't want to forget is our plumbing system. When things go wrong in this critical arena, they go wrong in a big way! Blocked toilets, flooded basements, or frozen pipes are no one's idea of a good time!
Even in the valley area, pipes can freeze! Check the pipe sleeves and heat tape, especially in areas like the attic or basement. Scan for any leaks or weak spots that could become problematic when temperatures drop. Disconnecting outdoor hoses and shutting off exterior faucets are also good ideas.
An often-overlooked aspect of home maintenance is flushing your water heater. Over time, sediment builds up at the bottom of your water heater, reducing its efficiency and lifespan. Flushing it annually helps remove this sediment, ensuring your hot water stays hot, and your heater works efficiently.
While this is a straightforward task, consider calling a professional if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.
We only want to hear from our smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when they've got something important to say, right? In fact, that applies to most safety equipment. Be sure to prepare your home for any emergency.
Your first line of defense in fire and gas safety is your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Regularly test these devices to ensure they're functioning correctly. Replace batteries at least once a year and consider upgrading to newer models every ten years for optimal performance. Remember, these detectors can be lifesavers, alerting you to unseen dangers in your home.
Having fire extinguishers in your home is essential, but ensuring they're in working order is more important. Check the pressure gauge monthly - it should be in the green area. Also, examine the extinguisher for any signs of physical damage, corrosion, or leakage. Make sure everyone in the household knows where the extinguishers are located and how to use them.
Let's not forget the trusty appliances working tirelessly in the background. Keeping them in tip-top shape enhances their efficiency and extends their lifespan. (Can you see a common thread here?) It's time to show some love to these heroes of our home, including the refrigerator and dryer.
Dust and dirt on your refrigerator coils make your fridge work harder, leading to higher energy bills and shorter appliance life. To clean them, simply unplug the fridge, locate the coils (usually at the back or bottom), and gently brush away the dust. This simple task can significantly improve your fridge's performance.
Did you know that lint buildup in the vent can pose a fire hazard? Who'd have thought? A regular deep clean of the vent, hose, and the area around the lint filter isn't just a chore; it's a safety measure.
In the ongoing journey of home maintenance, safety measures are the cornerstone. Now's the perfect time to reassess and reinforce our safety systems. This isn't just about ticking boxes on a checklist; it's about creating a secure and prepared living space for you and your loved ones.
Aside from the checklist below, what else can you include in your safety check? Remember that it may only take a few minutes to check something that could save your life.
Test smoke detectors regularly
Check and test carbon monoxide detectors
Replace outdated safety devices
Change batteries annually
Verify alarm sound levels
Inspect safety equipment placements
Ensure fire extinguishers are accessible
Check fire extinguisher pressure gauges
Review fire escape plans
Conduct family safety drills
Discuss potential emergencies with your family and create a clear plan, including specific responses, meeting points, and communication methods. Assemble an easily accessible emergency supply kit containing essentials like food, water, medications, and emergency contacts.
Identify and practice evacuation routes from your home and teach family members how to shut off utilities if needed. Additionally, consider enrolling in first aid and CPR classes to be better equipped to handle emergency situations.
As we wrap up our guide on the New Year's complete home maintenance checklist, remember that a little effort now can lead to big rewards later. Regular maintenance keeps your home running smoothly and helps retain and increase its value.
Whether it's checking your smoke detectors, cleaning those refrigerator coils, or ensuring your plumbing is in good order, each task you complete is an investment in your home's future.
However, if you'd rather leave the heavy lifting to the pros, then give Parker & Sons a call. Our A+ rated team is available - literally - every day of the year, and will turn your home into the safe, comfortable space you deserve. Here's to a year of hassle-free homeownership!
* Hats off to all you DIYers out there! At Parker & Sons, we love to see our customers taking pride in their homes. That said, home service professionals are 'professionals' for a reason. The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only. Parker & Sons is not liable for any injuries or damages resulting from attempting these DIY projects. By following these instructions, you assume all risks. For projects involving electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems, consult a professional. Use this information at your own risk.
Stay up-to-date on current news, promotions, and industry tips.