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Your home is a personal abode, where you can enjoy peace of mind in complete serenity and tranquility. The one space where you are free from all the stress and can have your personal time.
But this is only possible for as long as you take care of your home. The minute you neglect home maintenance and upkeep, your days will be spent continually worrying about little things to do around the house, turning into costly damages.
This is why it is best to follow a few best practices and ensure that your home is in top condition. But what are those best practices? Let’s find out!
5 Top Home Maintenance Tips
Even though there is a never-ending list of things you could do around the house to keep it in top shape, the following five are the essential and often neglected must-do practices.
HVAC Maintenance
An HVAC system is one of the essential components of your home. Therefore, a breakdown of the HVAC system, especially in the summer months, can be very unpleasant and critical to maintaining a perfect home environment. This is why you need to keep up your HVAC’s regular preventive maintenance to avoid any unpleasant situation.
The best time to conduct an HVAC inspection is at the start of summers and winters. You can start by checking up on your refrigerant, cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils, and replacing the air filter. If you have a modern smart AC controller like the Cielo Breez, it can even notify you when your AC filter is due for a cleaning!
The advantages of regular HVAC maintenance are multifold. Not only do you save on costs by preventing significant faults, but you also prolong the life of your air conditioning system.
Clear the Gutters
Blocked gutters are a significant problem in the fall and winter seasons and can be a safety hazard. During the fall season, leaves, branches, and twigs fall and accumulate in the gutters, preventing rainwaters’ free flow to the drain. This water can seep into the roof (whatever type it may be) or walls, giving algae and mold an opportunity to grow into the structure. This growth can be detrimental to your home and cost you anywhere from a couple of bucks to thousands of dollars in repairs. Thus, it is much better to invest a bit of time and money to thoroughly clean your drains and gutters and avoid a more considerable expense in the future.
Some of the things you can do include keeping tree branches and bushes away from the gutters, trimming them down, cleaning your gutters regularly during the fall season, and checking for any leaks within the gutters.
Stop the Water Leaks
As mentioned before, water leaks can be very damaging to a home and end up in prolonged and costly repairs if not caught early on. Common sources of water leaks are kitchen fixtures, toilets and showers, and sink cabinets. A regular visual inspection would give you an idea of water leaks before you’re caught up in a more severe problem.
In addition to bathroom and kitchen fixtures, have a look around your water boilers as well, as they can leak due to multiple reasons. They can often leak, especially if they are an old installation. Water can then puddle up in the basement, and you could be in for a surprise later on.
If you have a two-floor house, don’t forget to check the ceiling and corners for any discoloration or signs of mold. This is indicative of a water leak on the upper floor.
Moreover, inspect your roof for any damage or leaks. Rainwater can seep in through a leaky roof and slowly eat away the structure. You should undertake the roof inspection every six months or so.
If you find any leaks, be sure to repair them as soon as possible and not leave them pending. If the repair is delayed, the damage can increase exponentially.
Ensure Your Attic Insulation
Image courtesy: stockphotosecrets
Attics are often exposed to the harsh weather throughout the year, be it sunshine or snow but still end up being the most neglected area when looking at home maintenance. What you may not know is the fact that if not maintained properly, attics can damage the entire home.
The first step is a visual inspection to find any missing pieces or gaping holes within the attic. If the surface seems to be cracking or is degrading in appearance, be sure to give it a closer look, as surface defects can point to deeper problems.
The other thing to look out for is insulation. With proper insulation, you can retain the heat in winters and cold in the summers. It is advisable to consult a professional to go over the attic once a year. If the insulation is damaged, you can opt either for a patch-up repair or install a new one.
Keeping your insulation in top shape not only ensures that your roof doesn’t get damaged, but you also save 15% on your heating and cooling bills.
Seal the Air Leaks!
Air leaks in the ceiling, walls, windows, and doors are a major source of energy wastage in your home. In the summers, your air conditioner’s cold air can escape the room through these leaks. Constant high-powered cooling is then required to maintain a comfortable temperature. Similarly, in the winters, cold air from the outside can come into your room, creating unpleasant cold drafts.
The solution is to keep an eye on the air leaks and seal them to ensure a comfortable environment no matter what the season. To identify any leaks, you can either hire a professional for the job or do it yourself.
Additionally, you should caulk up your windows, install door gaps under the doors, cover up any vents or holes in the walls, and weather-strip the whole home.
What Are You Waiting for?!
A healthy body and soul come with the peace of mind that you can enjoy in the comfort of your home. But it all comes with a great responsibility, which needs to be fulfilled to enjoy all the amenities and comforts of your home for years to come.
Now that you know the top five neglected maintenance areas be sure to check these regularly and enjoy your days without any hassle!
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