After the excitement of buying a new home wears off, the reality of upkeep sinks in. Though many are motivated to buy a home for housing stability and long-term investment benefits, they let the value deteriorate unnecessarily by not keeping up with regular maintenance.
After years of helping grandparents and other family members with household upkeep, I consider myself an above-average repair and maintenance person. Being involved in buying and selling multiple rental properties also helped hone my eye for early signs of neglect in homes. It’s amazing how much the price of a home can be lowered after an inspection reveals simple maintenance has not been performed.
We’ve designed this list of jobs to do once yearly to demonstrate how easy it can be to keep your home healthy, safe, and appreciating in value. I know it can be daunting to walk into unfamiliar territory. You don’t know what you don’t know. But these tips will help fix that so you can rest easy knowing all is well on the home front.
1. Gutter Cleaning
I don’t know about you, but I love seeing birds in my backyard. That is, until they decide to roost in my gutters and downspouts. It’s not just leaves you have to be worried about when it comes to cleaning your gutters. There are gutter guards and other covers you can put on your gutters to help prevent leaves and other debris from finding their way into your gutter system, but even these aids need regular inspection to prevent clogs.
Clean gutters are so important for a home because the most expensive repairs usually involve water or electricity. Gutters that overflow or drain improperly can result in leaks inside the house or damage to rooflines and siding.
2. Garage Door Lubrication
Before you buy a new garage door lift for a few hundred dollars, you could reduce the noise and improve the operation of your garage door by giving it a good clean and adding lubrication to the springs and joints.
This quick task can usually be completed in a half hour or less. Make sure you get the correct type of lubricant that will not clump and collect dirt. While you’re at it, you should also check the seal at the bottom of your door for a snug fit. A drafty garage can greatly impact your home’s heating and cooling efficiency.
3. Clean Air Return & Duct Work
Though you should replace your air filters monthly or at least quarterly, it’s important to do a more thorough inspection once a year. If you’ve never examined your ductwork, you may be surprised by how filthy it has become.
When buying a new property, I often like to have the ducts professionally cleaned before moving in, especially on older properties. This helps cut down on allergens and keeps the home cleaner. The last thing you want is dust blowing from your vents and covering all your belongings.
4. Dust Behind the Refrigerator
As a homeowner who inherited some working but older appliances, I learned this tip the hard way. Dust accumulates behind and underneath your refrigerator like you wouldn’t believe it. Even the neatest neat-freak can’t prevent dust from collecting here. Between the fans that run and the electrical components that naturally attract dust, it’s a perfect place for dust to accumulate.
When the dust is left to accumulate for a year or more, it can cause the drain lines of the fridge to become clogged. Over time, the water is likely to back up in the freezer. You’ll know an imminent problem is on your hands when a block of ice starts developing in the bottom of your freezer. Soon, this will lead to damaged hardwoods and water leaking onto the floor. So, to keep the drain lines clear, defrost your freezer once or twice a year and thoroughly dust the back of your fridge.
5. Clean Your Dishwasher Drain
Until you own a home or have to fix an issue, many of us don’t even know the basics of how some of our appliances work. When it comes to dishwashers, the connection and drain setup can vary greatly.
Typically, the dishwasher ties into your primary sink drain via a flexible hose.
Sometimes, this connection can be twisted between other waterlines and garbage disposals before connecting. This can create bends in the line, making it easy for water or food particles to become lodged. Left uncleaned, odors can occur and there is potential for the drain line to backup.
6. Seal Bathroom Tiles
So you’ve either renovated or inherited your dream bathroom, which is complete with beautiful tiles and an inset for your shower essentials. No one mentions the importance of proper tile maintenance for the longevity of your shower and to prevent water damage over time.
Depending on the products, the grout should be sealed at a minimum every year to five years. This will help prevent mold from developing in your grout and keep the water from beading up and running off tiles.
7. Drain Irrigation Lines
Having automatic sprinklers is a helpful home feature, but it comes with its own set of need-to-know tips and regular maintenance. One of the most important things you can do each year is to ensure you’ve drained your lines properly for winter.
Even if you live in a mild climate, it only takes one cold night for a freeze to damage your line or sprinklers. So, if you’re not regularly using the system, the best rule of thumb is to drain the lines.
8. Inspect Your Wax Seal
This is one of the tougher maintenance items to regularly inspect, but it is so important to prevent costly repairs. Based on the age of your home and the estimated age of each toilet, you will want to have your toilet seal ring or wax seal replaced every three to five years. This connection is vital to preventing leaks because it is where the toilet connects to the drain in the floor.
Signs of a bad seal include condensation around the base of the toilet, dampness, or discoloration of grout in the floor tiles surrounding the toilet. Any moisture leakage will cause subfloor damage and wood rot that is difficult to repair. Though it may seem daunting, and it is typically better for a professional plumber to make this repair, it is a relatively simple process that can be done yourself.
9. Pest Control
Sure, spiders and ants are nuisances, but termites are the real terror when it comes to pest control. When purchasing a home, ask about a termite bond and for any maintenance records the previous owners have.
If none can be supplied, plan to have an inspection done and set up a regular pest control maintenance schedule. Preventing pest infestations will not only make living in your home more enjoyable but also reduce the cost of repairs due to damage and keep your home safe.
10. Check Weather Stripping
Over time, the adhesives and materials used on thweatherstrippingng doors and windows will deteriorateWeatherstrippingng in poor condition can allow the elements into your home. Drafts or water leaks are the most common issues. You can do a visual and temperature check of your seals in just a few minutes.
An infrared laser thermometer is a helpful tool for determining vulnerable spots. Pointing it at the cracks around your doors and windows will very clearly show where the issues are. In some cases, like the garage or regular exterior doors, some ready-made products can be installed in just a few minutes. Windows are a little more difficult, but not impossible, to replace weather stripping depending on the style of the window and how it opens. For typical double-hung windows, you will want to check all four sides.
11. Pressure Wash
As a general rule, keeping things clean is a great way to prevent long-term deterioration and damage. One area homeowners sometimes overlook is the masonry, concrete, and stone areas on the exterior of the home. Allowing moss, dirt, and other grime to accumulate can make it easy for water to seep into crevices and cause problems.
If you don’t have the space or desire to own a pressure washer, you can usually rent one at local hardware or home improvement stores. Alternatively, you can always hire a professional crew in your area to take care of it for you.
12. Soft Wash
Being familiar with different building materials is really important as a homeowner before you do any projects or hire a professional to help. For example, older vinyl siding can become brittle with age, so using a pressure washer risks cracking or other damage to your siding.
Instead, opt for a soft wash that involves a little more scrubbing. If you leave nature to its devices, you will be surprised how quickly spiderwebs, lichen and other vegetation can develop on your exterior surfaces.
13. Trim Landscaping
More than likely, you inherited landscaping when you purchased your home. In that case, it’s really important to check shrubs, trees, and vines for signs of overmaturation. You don’t want any branches or roots visibly touching your home. Though ivy and other climbing vines can be beautiful, they also pose a significant risk to the integrity of brickwork and other siding if not properly managed.
So, unless you plan on ripping out a significant portion of your landscaping, trim shrubs and other vegetation away from your foundation and roofline. Proper tree care can also prevent the cost of a fallen tree or limb on your home.
14. Flush Water Heater
Water heaters come in many different sizes and configurations. Find out the type you have and research the most common issues or maintenance requirements for that model. Some water heaters have expansion tanks that wear out after several years, and others, like instant hot models, are more prone to issues with filters and mineral buildup.
Depending on where your water heater is located in your home and the model you have, a breakdown could mean a flooded basement or other costly mess, in addition to replacing the unit.
15. Clean Dryer Vents
One of the leading causes of house fires is linked to improperly cleaned dryer vents. I can hardly think of a more costly home repair than having to rebuild your entire home and life after a devastating fire.
Cleaning your dryer lint trap and the hose vent that goes to or should go to the exterior will help improve your dryer’s efficiency and extend the life of your appliance.
16. Inspect Roof & Chimney
Not all roofs age or require the same type of maintenance. Architectural shingles, the most common roofing material, will deteriorate and lose mineral granules. The water-resistant asphalt can also crack and become less effective.
You can usually spot an aging roof visually. However, it’s also worth regularly inspecting the area around any joints, vents, or skylights where poor flashing could cause leaks.
17. Check A/C Compressor
The last thing you want is for your AC to fail in the heat of summer. Beat the summer rush and schedule regular fall or spring inspections to ensure your system runs smoothly all season.
Compressors and overall maintenance can be difficult to do yourself if you’re not a trained technician with electrical experience. Most of the signs of failure come from variances in electrical currents and individual component age.
18. Inspect Foundation
As mentioned previously, keeping plants away from dirt off the foundation is a great start to ensuring the longevity of your foundation. But there are a few more things you will want to inspect.
Wherever a downspout meets the ground, check to make sure water has been draining properly and is not eroding dirt away from the foundation. Most homes with crawlspaces will also have vents that can be opened or closed for airflow, depending on the season. You will want to make sure these are in good condition to prevent easy access by any other wildlife looking for a new home, too. Last but not least, check for any signs of crack or other structural issues with your foundation.
Yearly Homeowner Chores
We live in such a fast-paced world that it is difficult to remember that issues related to improper home maintenance can take years. But by then, it’s too late for a quick DIY remedy, and it will likely cost hundreds or thousands in repair costs.
Annual preventative home maintenance is a great way to keep your home immaculate and maximize your property value. Though there are many things to inspect, performing these tasks can be done in a day or weekend. It’s a small commitment for greater peace of mind and knowing everything is in top condition.
18 Everyday Household Items That Are Surprisingly Valuable to Collectors
You don’t have to be a collector or hoarder to have several valuable things in your home. We all accrue many items over the years, some of which could be worth money. Even some everyday household items can be valuable, especially to collectors.
To help determine whether any of your household items are valuable to collectors, we’ve assembled a list of 18 everyday items you likely have in your house. Check out this list and see if any of your items are ready to be turned into money.
Never Put These 15 Things Down the Kitchen Sink if You Want to Avoid a Huge Repair Bill
Many people don’t think about what they put down the kitchen sink. They just scrape all of their food waste into the sink, turn on the garbage disposal, and watch it all disappear. But many things can damage your garbage disposal or plumbing.
Here are 15 things you should never put down the kitchen sink if you want to avoid a huge repair bill.
41 Shocking Ways You’re Throwing Money Down the Drain
There are many ways to increase the money in your bank account. Many people start by looking at ways to make more money. And, of course, that is a great solution. But it isn’t always the easiest. A better, easier way may be to examine your spending habits. By tracking your spending and seeing where every dollar goes, you’ll likely find several instances of spending money you don’t have to. It could be little things that add up or recurring monthly expenses that are an utter waste of money.
Once you eliminate your bad spending habits, that money can go toward your emergency fund, paying off debt, or other essential things. Here are the 41 biggest wastes of money to look out for:
Source: 18 Home Jobs to Do Once a Year to Avoid Expensive Repairs
