Home maintenance is part of your job description as a homeowner. Keeping your home in stellar condition is a key element in making it a comfortable space to live in. It affects your way of life. After all, no one wants to live in a house with broken doors or collapsed ceilings.
Regularly maintaining your home saves you a lot of trouble, and money, in the long run. DIY maintenance costs are significantly lower than outsourcing the work. Fortunately, there are several easy maintenance tasks that you can add to your to-do lists today. Here are some of them:
1. Replace Air Filters
Your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) operate nonstop for the most part. Ignoring your HVAC system results in costly repairs or total replacement in the future.
A clogged air filter is among the reasons why your HVAC system breaks. It prompts the appliance to work twice as hard to filter air, increasing its strain on the hardware. And because air filters primarily trap dust, dirt, allergens, and other air particles, the congested filtering screen compromises your home’s air quality.
Changing your air filter boosts your HVAC system function and lifespan significantly. It also improves your HVAC unit’s energy efficiency, helping you save money on electricity bills. This is an important consideration, given that heating and cooling take up 46% of your electricity use.
2. Clear the Gutters
A clogged gutter can do multiple costly damages to your property. Initially, the water overflow might only bother you a little. But over time, the excess water will seep into your roof, causing leaks and structural issues. It can also ruin your siding with rot or mold growth.
Moreover, if the water doesn’t flow through the downspouts properly, it can accumulate near your home’s base. This leads to basement flooding or foundation damage.
These are the 5 Essential Cleaning Hacks Every DIY Enthusiast Needs to Know.
Getting on the ladder and cleaning your gutter regularly is quite an effort. However, this prevents several structural issues and maintains the integrity of your home’s exterior. While you’re up there, take the time to inspect your roof. Check for dents, holes, and other damages. Clear out leaves, branches, and other debris, as well.
3. Repair Grout and Caulk on Bathroom Tiles
The grout is the white or gray linings between tile squares that keep them together. On the other hand, caulk is used to seal joints and gaps around bathtubs, showers, and sinks. It can seal around drains and pipes to prevent leaks.
The grout and caulk in your bathroom are the most vulnerable to eventual wear and tear. This is mostly due to constant exposure to water and cleaning agents. When the grout and caulk exhibit cracks and gaps, water infiltrates behind tiles and textures, which causes mold, water damage, and mildew.
4. Inspect and Fix Flooring
Most flooring issues are easy to fix when detected early. Walk around the house and look for signs of damage. For tiles, check for chips or loose pieces. For wood or laminate flooring, pay attention to squeaks and creaking noises. Assess your carpet’s condition as well.
The key is to address problems as early as possible. You might need to recaulk a tile, nail or glue a few floorboards, or patch frayed carpet spots. Consider installing durable residential vinyl flooring for high-traffic areas such as the kitchen and the living room. These measures keep further damage at bay and save you on more repair and replacement costs later.
5. Seal Drafts
Besides the inconvenience, drafts increase your electricity bills. When the cold sneaks in during winter or the hot air intrudes in summer, your HVAC works extra to maintain your desired temperature, raising energy consumption.
Drafts bring in dust, allergens, and other external contaminants. They also allow moisture to come in, which can result in water damage and mold. Sealing drafts is crucial to reducing energy use, improving air quality, and maintaining a healthier indoor environment.
You can use weatherstripping, insulation, and weatherstripping to seal gaps around doors, windows, and other openings. While doing this, check if a broken door or window is causing the draft. Instead of a seal, you might need new knobs or hinges and install them with the help of multifunctional drill press table.
6. Check Pipes for Leaks
Leaky pipes are some of the most troublesome repairs that you can encounter. A simple water line leak costs $150 to $300. Regularly check your pipes for drips or potential problems before any major issue arises.
Hunt for exposed pipes around the house, such as under the sinks, beside the garden, or in basements. Prioritize those that are near appliances, such as those in the kitchen. Water spills near power sources are especially dangerous. Fix any leak promptly by tightening connections, replacing faulty faucets, and others.
7. Do Paint Touch Ups
Painted walls won’t look new and flawless forever. Over time, they develop scratches, scruffs, and chips. Instead of launching a big repainting project, touching up paint is an easy and effective way to keep your walls looking fresh.
Start by cleaning the wall’s surface to remove dirt and stains. Then, you can directly paint over the affected spots to instantly cover up blemishes. If an area has major damage or significant color change, apply a primer first to ensure a seamless finish.
Love the Home You’re Living
Investing a little time and effort in giving your home some TLC goes a long way in ensuring that you have the best living space. A great home is a happy home. It positively impacts your disposition and way of life. Incorporating these simple tasks into your routine will help keep your home well-maintained and comfortable for you and your family for years to come.
