When it comes to home maintenance tasks, we are always on top of things. As a homeowner, it’s a top priority to go through a checklist. Every year we always make sure to check these 5 home maintenance tasks, and you will want to as well!
It’s obvious if your home needs decorating, or the doors on the kitchen cabinets need an upgrade. You tend to notice when there is a problem that you can clearly see; especially if it’s part of your daily routine.
However, there are some maintenance issues that are important to recognize but which many people simply do not notice.
The aim of this article is to make you think about parts of your home that go unnoticed. It’s also intended to raise awareness of threats to the structure and safety of your home that you may not have considered.
Is the roof in good condition?
If the roof of your home falls into disrepair, this can lead to structural damage that is expensive to fix. It can also lead to problems with damp and mold. If you normally pay little attention to the roof of your property, you should stop and look up every few weeks.
Look for any signs of missing or damaged tiles, or damaged guttering. Problems like this can often be spotted from the ground. If you think there is an issue, call an expert in roof maintenance and repair. Taking action straight away can help to reduce the amount of damage caused.
Do you have any unwanted pests?
Many people prefer not to think about pest problems in their homes. However, it’s never a good idea to ignore the potential for a pest invasion. You may think that you would see pests if they were there, but pests such as termites can be difficult to spot. They eat away at wood from the inside out.
My son just bought a home, and of course, had it checked for termites. Six months later, while doing some home maintenance tasks, they discovered a termite infestation!
Even though the mortgage company insisted on an inspection. This is a good lesson for all of us to make sure we check for them periodically.
The first sign of an issue could be sagging wooden structures. By this time, significant damage has been done. It’s a good idea to have a pest inspection carried out every 12 months, to identify issues as soon as possible.
Is the insulation still working?
Most modern insulation lasts for between 80 and 100 years. However, if your home was built more than 10 years ago, and has not been insulated in that time, there is a chance that the insulation is not working efficiently.
The most common signs of a problem with insulation are changes in indoor temperature and the presence of drafts.
It’s worth checking the condition of attic insulation if you have not done so for a while. You may be wasting a lot of energy if it needs replacing, and that could be leading to increased energy bills.
When we first had our townhouse built, we had one bedroom where it seemed the insulation wasn’t done correctly, so we had it checked and reinforced. It made all the difference and helped lower our heating bill too!
Are there any dripping faucets?
It’s easy to ignore a dripping faucet; you just get used to the sound. This is not a good idea as the dripping is more of a problem than you might think.
A faucet that drips every second for 4.5 hours can waste as much as a gallon of water. Add this wastage up over a year and it comes to 2,082 gallons. This is not just a waste of your money, it’s also bad for the environment.
if there’s one thing that we always add to our home maintenance tasks checklist, it’s to check for leaky faucets. Not only are they extremely annoying, but as we stated above, money down the drain!
You should be able to fix a dripping faucet yourself. If you have any problems, call a local plumber for help.
Is the heating system working efficiently?
You probably take your heating system for granted. It’s there when you need it; but what if it stopped working when you needed it most?
Having the system inspected every 12 months can help to prevent this from happening. You should also lookout for signs that there could be a problem with the system.
- A burning smell that persists.
- Loud noises that are different from the sound that the system normally makes.
- Cold spots around your home that were not there before.
- A significant rise in energy costs that cannot be explained.
Be sure to have your heating system checked if you notice any of these problems.
It’s important to remember that maintaining your home is not just about the décor and the items you use every day. Less obvious maintenance areas need just as much attention.
I hope this helps to get to moving with your home maintenance tasks checklist to prevent any potential painfully expensive issues in your home.
Be sure to read 15 Awesome Amazon Cleaning Products That Make Cleaning Easier too!
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Yipes on the pests home inspection story, but so true Carolann.
Yes, I felt so badly for my son. He had to spend thousands to fix the termite issue! Thankfully, they are all gone now, but you always have to have your home checked for pests!
Carolann
Maintaining a house is a big task.There are so many things to be taken care of.Thanks for the handy checklist for maintaining our house as forever new. I will pass on to others too.