Keeping your home well-maintained is a crucial part of owning a home. We all want a home that we can chill out in and where everything works as it should. To keep your home not only looking fantastic but working efficiently as well, you will need to put some time and effort into taking care of it.
Home maintenance may not seem to be the most enjoyable way to spend your time, but it is more than worth it in the long run. It is unbelievable how the smallest problem can escalate when ignored or delayed. Spending a little time to take care of your home now, can save you a lot of time, money, and trouble in the future.
Here are some of the ways you can keep your home running smoothly:
Take care of your gutters
Your gutters might not seem to be an important part of your home, but they play a much more important role than you might expect. A lot of people do not think or care about their gutters at all while they are functioning as they should. It is only when your gutters stop working that you realize what an important job they do for your home and the problems that inefficient ones can cause for your property. It can create flooding and damp issues and even problems with the structural integrity of the building, all of which can be devastating for your home and your wallet.
To prevent your home from suffering water damage as a result of overflowing gutters, you will need to clean them regularly so that they can work as they should.
You should also regularly walk around the perimeter of your home and check for any drainage issues such as water pooling near the base of your home. This is especially important if you have added gardens or walkways very close to your home. If they haven’t been graded properly, you could have issues such as a wet basement in the future.
Look after your appliances
Home appliances are fundamental to homes and play a number of vital roles. From cooking to laundry, washing dishes to drying clothes, appliances are heavily relied upon. If they suddenly stop working, it can cause considerable chaos to the house. Piles of washing will quickly build up, and you can feel stressed out without being able to use the appliance you rely on and often take for granted. Even worse is the fact that malfunctioning or damaged appliances can become a fire hazard.
To make sure you are not faced with the hassle of being without your basic appliances, it is important to take care of them. Keep an eye out for any signs of problems arising before they become major issues and call out a reputable appliance repair company to sort it out. I also recommend check-ups and scheduled clean ups of your appliances. Especially your clothes dryer. Lint can build up around the drum and can easily start a fire. You need a professional to properly remove all the lint from inside your machine.
Keeping your appliances clean and in good working order may help you extend the life of your appliances which will save you money in the long run.
Inspect your heating and cooling systems
Nothing can effect the enjoyment of your home more than having either your furnace or your air-conditioner stop working during their optimal season. Believe me, I know. My furnace went a few years ago during the worst winter ever. It took over a week to get a new one installed. Luckily we have a wood fireplace but it was still extremely uncomfortable.
Getting repairs or a replacement during peak seasons is hard. First off, the wait is long and you feel stressed because you have to make a decision quickly. Had I not skipped a few years of furnace inspections, the crack would have probably been noticed ahead of time and we could have dealt with it then instead of during sub-zero temperatures.
Inspections are cheap compared to repairs but they also give you time to make better informed decisions and save for a replacement. They are totally worth the cost.
Ensure proper ventilation
Ventilation is essential for maintaining a healthy and comfortable home. Make sure your house is adequately ventilated so that there is plenty of fresh air in it. A well-ventilated home not only helps to get rid of damp, smelly and stuffy air but can also help stop mould and mildew from growing. Mould looks awful in your home, but not only that, it can have a significantly adverse effect on yours and your family’s health. And when it starts, it is really hard to stop. Your best bet is to try to prevent it from growing in the first place with good ventilation.
Anti-mould tip: Do not place furniture, or soft surface like mattresses, directly against outside walls. Especially if you live in a climate that gets super cold in the winter and humid in the summer. Walls will sweat and mould can easily develop, hidden away from your view until it has dramatically progressed.
Check your roof and windows
Your roof and your windows protect you and your belongings from the elements plus keep your heating and cooling costs down. That is why it is important to regularly inspect them for possible issues.
You can have a professional check your roof or you can do it yourself by simply walking around the surface of it. Check for any loose or missing tiles and have them fixed as soon as possible. Last year we had a really bad wind storm and nearly half of the homes in our area lost tiles. Because the problem was so wide spread, roofers took months to repair or replace all of the damage. Many of my neighbours had blue tarps draped across their homes for months! Luckily, I had my roof inspected and loose tiles fixed just before the storm and my roof easily withstood the high winds.
When it comes to your windows, check to make sure they all easily open and close, the screens are clean and installed properly and check for any damage, leaks or vapour barrier loss. Windows in good repair prevent a multitude of problems from arising from water damage as well as comfort levels.
By following some of the above tips, you will have a home that is safe, comfortable, and looks great. A little time, effort, and investment now can save you from substantial expenses and hassle in the future.