Home repairs can cost a pretty penny and the inconvenience is a non-monetary cost to add to the pile of misfortune. A homeowner can prevent all of this with routine maintenance, further improved when an annual home maintenance schedule is made and followed.
Building and sticking to an annual home maintenance checklist helps homeowners keep the house in ideal condition, prolonging its life and maintaining its aesthetic appeal. A well-maintained home is also safe and comfortable to live in, great for families, and is an essential part of our lives.
This article will help homeowners build their annual home maintenance checklist. It covers all essential areas to ensure every part of your home is in top condition.
Home Maintenance Checklist – Covering All The Essentials
Seasonal Cleaning and Inspections
In the spring, look for potential roof damage in the form of missing or damaged shingles. Drain all gutters and downspouts to prevent the water from damaging the structure. During the summer, have the HVAC system checked to ensure it runs efficiently and is not overworking and driving up energy costs.
In the fall, get your heating system checked and get it cleaned to ensure it remains operational, safe, and efficient. If you have a chimney, clean it and prevent any creosote build-up that can be damaging to one’s health. For the winter, protect pipes from freezing and prevent water flow or pipe damage.
Roof Maintenance
Building on the last point, begin by checking your roof from the inside for moisture spots or leaks. There’s a chance that missing or damaged shingles are allowing moisture in and are silently destroying your home’s structure.
Contact a local roofing pro to inspect your roof for damage and whether it can be repaired or needs to be replaced. Their assessment will help you know the extent of any roof damage and what the next course of action will be.
HVAC System Maintenance
If you live somewhere dry and dusty, your air filters need to be changed once every three or so months. These replacements improve air quality while preventing the HVAC system from overworking due to clogged filters.
Schedule annual service calls for safety checks and system tune-ups, ensuring the HVAC system is always in top shape. HVAC systems are built to last and with proactive maintenance, they last a long time.
Exterior Maintenance
Any branches hanging over your roof need to be trimmed because they can damage roof shingles, causing them to peel or rip off. This allows moisture and debris into the structure, damaging it and forcing a repair or even roof replacement.
The foundation must be inspected for cracks, missing pieces, or uneven weight distribution.
Immediately schedule professional intervention to prevent catastrophic damage to the structure. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry.
Interior Maintenance
Similarly, keep the inside of your home clean and presentable. Address all minor repairs immediately before they swell into serious issues that cost a lot of money. Cracks, peeling paint, damaged sockets and fittings, and leaking faucets are a few of the countless examples of minor issues that swell into major ones.
Maintain Your Home With A Schedule
Home maintenance is a simple, straightforward process involving small yet incremental steps that are essential to keep your home in proper condition. Following an annual home maintenance schedule allows homeowners to keep track of their home’s upkeep.
From season-specific to roof and HVAC system maintenance, each facet plays an important role in extending your home’s lifespan. Coupled with regular exterior and interior maintenance, ensuring it is clean and functional ensures your home looks, feels, and operates in the best way it can.
