10 Tips for Home Maintenance

Preventative maintenance and cleaning is an essential part of home upkeep. It’s the little steps that will prevent bigger problems down the line. While there are hundreds of different tips you should think about to help maintain your home, we’ve narrowed it down to 10 tips for home maintenance that we think are some of the essential ones for your cleaning schedule. Don’t forget some of our home maintenance checklists to maintain your gas furnace or air conditioner unit. 

1. Furnace filter/air filters - You will want to be regularly changing your furnace filter and AC filter. A clogged filter can prevent air from flowing properly and put undue stress on your HVAC system. Check your unit to see what kind of filter it uses, which will determine how often you need to change it out. This can change from every month to twice a year. 
2. Replace alarm batteries - Your fire alarm and carbon monoxide alarm are the first line of defense against dangerous and deadly hazards. Make sure you are checking that the batteries work and that the alarm works as well. If you hear that alarm signaling it is time to change the batteries, do not ignore it. Keep an extra set of batteries on hand so you have them conveniently nearby. 
3. Clean out gutters - Cleaning out your gutters may seem like a hassle, but they are there to prevent bigger issues from happening. Gutters keep water from pooling near the foundation and damaging it. Clogged gutters will make it easier for rain or snow to pool on the roof and near the foundation. The best time to clear out your gutters is right after the large trees shed their leaves in fall. Always be careful and have someone holding the ladder if you choose to do them yourself. Or if you want to make it quicker, hire a local lawn care service to get the job done for you. 
4. Furnace/HVAC inspection - Having your home HVAC ducts and units is an important part of taking care of everything. Just like the doctor, you and your furnace both need a yearly checkup. You should have your ductwork and furnace inspected once a year to see if there are any minor issues to fix and prevent larger problems. Plus technicians might have advice on how to make your equipment more energy efficient. 
5. Check windows and doors - Windows and door frames are a huge culprit in letting in drafts and racking up your heating or cooling bill. It is recommended to check for drafts before winter and summer start. Caulking any door or window frames that have a draft can really save on energy. If you know you have a window frame that is very drafty, you can use an indoor shrink window kit to cover the draft. 
6. Vacuum vents - Cleaning out dirty vents and vacuuming up dust will really improve on your air flow. Clogged vents can block cool air from circulating in the summer and block warm air in winter. With the lack of air circulation, a clogged and dusty vent can put stress on your furnace or AC unit. This in the long run can shorten the lifespan on your unit. 
7. Winterize outdoor plumbing - This one is an essential task for those who live in a colder climate. Drain all the water from any hoses or sprinkler systems. Insulate or cover any spigots, pipes or outdoor faucets to prevent frost from damaging your plumbing. Start to winterize your outdoor plumbing when nighttime temperatures reach the freezing point.
8. Clean refrigerator coils - If you want your refrigerator to have a longer lifespan, then you need to be cleaning out the coils. Vacuuming up any dust and dirt that collect on the coils will help your refrigerator run smoothly. Build-up affects a refrigerator’s performance so just take a look at the coils every so often to see how dirty yours gets on average.  
9. Flush water heaters - Don’t forget about your water heater when you are making your home maintenance checklist. No one wants to have cold water when your water heater goes out, so flushing it routinely will help clear any sediment build up. 
10. Clear the dryer vent - Dryer lint can be a serious home hazard. One maintenance to add to your growing list should be cleaning out the dryer vent. Whether you have a kit or hire a service, cleaning out the vent is a simple way to save your home from dryer fires. Clearing out the excess lint and build-up also will benefit your appliance performance.