It’s great to have a home you can be proud of. When your home functions well and looks well, this offers many benefits, such as increased home value, better curb appeal, and a higher quality of life. That said, your home requires an investment to remain in the best condition. You may be surprised at the number of tasks you need to perform to keep your home in good condition. These tasks involve regular cleanings, inspections, and repairs, which help prevent major issues from forming. Since there are so many things that may require your attention, it’s a good idea to create a home preventative maintenance checklist to help you stay on track. In this guide, we look at some of the most crucial tasks to include in your home preventative maintenance checklist.
Checking the HVAC System
According to Bob Vila, it’s recommended that you schedule professional HVAC maintenance at least once a year. This is something you should do even if your HVAC system is relatively new or it seems to be operating with no issues. The whole point of having a home preventative maintenance checklist is to ensure that issues don’t develop in the first place. Therefore, you need an HVAC technician with a trained eye. They’ll inspect your HVAC system to identify any potential problems and get them fixed before they have had a chance to become worse. Additionally, your HVAC technician will perform routine maintenance tasks designed to keep your equipment running as smoothly as possible.
For instance, they’ll lubricate moving parts, check electrical connections, and test system controls to ensure that your HVAC system is operating at peak efficiency. In between professional tune-ups, you can also do your part to protect your equipment. It’s a good idea to perform an AC inspection from time to time to see if the filter needs to be cleaned or replaced. Doing this ensures that the airflow isn’t restricted. You can also hire air duct cleaning services to ensure your heating and cooling unit keeps working efficiently. The main benefit of having a well-maintained HVAC system is lower energy bills. Since the system is operating at peak efficiency, it uses less energy to heat or cool your home. You can also enjoy more savings because your equipment will last longer, and your repair bills will be lower.
Improving Garage Door Functionality
If your home is like most homes, the garage door probably gets a lot of use. Hence, it’s not surprising that this is another component of your home that needs to be added to your home preventative maintenance checklist. Otherwise, neglecting your garage door shortens its lifespan, forcing you to buy a replacement garage door sooner than planned. There are many things you can do on your own to keep your garage door in good condition. You can start by tightening up any loose components or hardware and lubricating the moving parts. You should also inspect and replace the rollers, replace the weatherstripping, and check to see if your garage door is well-balanced.
If you want to prolong the life of your garage door, then you should familiarize yourself with how it works and its various components. Read manufacturer instructions to get tailored tips for taking care of your garage door. The best thing you can do to keep your garage door in good condition is to look for the best garage door repair companies in your area. This is especially so for repairs involving torsion springs, because the work can be dangerous and requires a skilled expert with the right tools. It doesn’t hurt to schedule regular inspections so you have a trained professional to inspect your garage door and identify potential issues you might have overlooked.
Protecting Against the Elements
It’s easy to take the roof over your head for granted, but there’s no denying that one of the reasons why we feel safe at home is because the roof is doing a good job of protecting against the elements. If you want your roof to keep doing what it does best, then you should add it to your home preventative maintenance checklist. Regular checkups help to lengthen the life of your roofing material, preventing costly issues from developing. For instance, asphalt shingles may be one of the most affordable roofing materials on the market, but the shingles are prone to cracking, curling and breaking. Hence, they need to be replaced to keep your roof functional.
Otherwise, a roof leak can quickly develop, resulting in costly repairs. While your roof is designed to be durable and to withstand constant exposure to harsh weather elements, a little maintenance goes a long way toward slowing down the rate of wear and tear. That means you won’t have to keep investing in a complete roof replacement more frequently than necessary. According to Bob Vila, you should schedule a professional roof inspection at least once a year. A qualified roof is more qualified to inspect your roof and inform you of the maintenance or repair tasks needed. If you have an energy-efficient roof, regular maintenance is essential to ensure your roof retains its reflective properties, so you can keep enjoying those energy savings.
They can help you unclog gutters to prevent roof damage from water overflow and they’ll monitor for moss growth that can damage your roof. You can do your part to maintain your roof by trimming overhanging tree branches that might damage or ensure that your roof is well insulated and ventilated.
Keeping the Outside Clean
One main benefit of having a home preventative maintenance checklist that you regularly follow is to prevent work from piling up. Take the outdoor environment, for instance. If you go a long time without sprucing up your landscape or backyard, you end up with an outdoor space that resembles a jungle. Restoring your yard when its condition has deteriorated so much can be difficult. It’s much better to tackle issues while they’re still manageable. It will also cost you less money to stay on top of things. There are quite a few things you can do to keep the exterior of your home looking neat and smart. If you have a dead or diseased tree that’s killing your curb appeal, compare the options for cheap tree removals in your area, so you can get the tree out of the way.
It’s better to remove the tree yourself before it topples on top of your roof or injures someone. You should also clean up any fallen leaves or debris lying around. Consider power washing the applicable components of your home’s exterior to get rid of the layer of dirt and grime that would have accumulated over the years. Other things you can do to give your home a clean makeover include cleaning and repairing the deck, cleaning the window wells, and repairing your driveway to eliminate unsightly holes or cracks.
Upkeeping the Electricity
The electrical system is one of the major systems in your home, and it makes a major contribution to your home’s overall functionality. When taking care of home maintenance, the mistake that most homeowners make is they focus on projects that improve aesthetic appeal. Although your home’s electrical system is behind the scenes, it still needs your attention from time to time. Keeping your electrical system in the best possible condition is necessary because it can be dangerous if there’s a malfunction. It can’t be emphasized enough that electrical work can be highly dangerous, so although you can include upkeeping the electricity in your home preventative maintenance checklist, the work should never be DIY. Instead, it’s better to seek professional residential electrical services you can trust.
Your safety comes first, so make sure to leave the electrical work to the professional unless you have the right level of training or experience. For starters, you can start by hiring a qualified electrician for a routine check to ensure that everything is in good condition. Your electrician will check your wiring and outlets, looking for signs of damage or wear and tear. You should also consider hiring a professional home appliance repair service to inspect your appliances and check if they’re operating efficiently. Routine inspection and maintenance of your appliances helps extend their lifespan while preventing frequent breakdowns.
Don’t Forget the Plumbing
Your plumbing system is also another aspect of your home that needs to be well maintained. By using reputable plumbing services to keep your pipes and drains in good condition, you can save yourself the hassle of complicated plumbing issues that require more money and time to fix. For example, it’s better to hire a drain cleaning contractor than wait until you have major clogs in your system that are causing sewage backup and unpleasant orders.