If you’re a first-time homeowner, you may not initially understand everything there is to do to effectively maintain the integrity of your home. Purchasing a home is only the beginning of the responsibilities you’ve agreed to take on, but proper maintenance of your home can be extremely rewarding.
Take the time now to educate yourself, and read through a brief educational summary. Here are a few home maintenance tips for new homeowners. Take some notes, and get to work today.
Maintain the integrity of your HVAC unit
Your home’s heating and air unit is a huge part of the function of your household. It’s important that you take the time to properly maintain your system, so you can get the longest life out of your investment.
Start by changing out your air filter once per month. Regular renewal of your filter will help keep your unit running at top efficiency. Heating and air conditioning specialists should be arranged for yearly cleaning of your unit as well.
Check for air and water leaks
You should regularly check your attic, basement, and crawl spaces for air or water leaks. Water leaks can cause some expensive and extensive damage to your home over time, and you will pay more for energy if there are air leaks in the nooks and crannies of your property.
Maintain the integrity of your plumbing
Check on the integrity of your plumbing from time to time to avoid water leaks and sewage backup. When winter comes, take the necessary steps to protect and insulate any exposed piping around your home. Frozen pipes can burst. Save yourself the trouble by taking the proper steps to prepare.
Keep your yard in order
Your yard will need regular maintenance beyond mowing the lawn if you want to maintain an attractive curb appeal. Boosting your home’s curb appeal will also boost the home’s equity, so there’s really no downside to this investment.
Check your roofing and gutters
Your home’s roof will need a facelift every few years. It’s good to regularly spot check the shingle for wear, and replace them as needed. Keeping an eye on your gutters is also wise.
Clogged gutters can cause problems too. Your home’s gutters take excess water away from your foundation. When water is allowed to pool at the foundation of your home it can degrade the integrity of its strength.
Pressure wash the exterior
As a homeowner, you will want to clean up the exterior of your home on occasion. You can rent a pressure washer and do the job yourself, or you can pay professionals to make quick work of it.
Get your chimney cleaned
If your home has a fireplace, you’ll need to keep it clean for safety. Excess buildup in your chimney can cause a chimney fire and damage your home. Get your chimney cleaned every year or two to assure a clean burn.
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