Every dollar spent on maintenance prevents up to $100 of repair costs. Yet, we still neglect vital home maintenance tasks, leading to expensive replacements and long-term structural problems. Our homes are full of moving parts requiring regular attention to operate efficiently.
The only way to keep every component functioning smoothly is through proactive care. Here are some home maintenance tasks you are probably forgetting.
Installing A Dehumidifier
You are making a big mistake if you still haven’t installed a dehumidifier in your home. High humidity levels in your house can cause a lot of damage, such as mold and mildew. This can result in higher repair costs. Therefore, we recommend you to install at least a 1000sqft dehumidifier in your house and turn it on during the most humid days of the month. Remember – prevention is better than cure, so do not miss out on this one.
Checking Your Air Conditioning And Heating System
For your furnace, schedule an inspection in late summer or early fall before the heating season begins. The technician should test, clean, and tune up the various system components to ensure they are ready for the winter weather. It’s also recommended you replace the air filter in your home’s furnace every 90 days. A clogged filter negatively impacts your energy bill and your health as well.
It would help if you also did the same for your air conditioning unit before summer sets in. Furnace Repair Calgary service providers recommend these steps to make your home comfortable and extend the lifespan of your home’s heating and cooling systems. Remember to work with specialists who have extensive experience in residential systems.
Inspecting Your Roof
With the average roof coming with a 25-year warranty, many homeowners don’t feel the need to inspect their roof regularly. Yet, roof problems can begin developing right from the moment they are installed, especially when the work isn’t done professionally. It’s common to find leaks around the flashing, chimney, and skylights.
These leaks cause the wood to rot and even cause a fire if the water gets into contact with electrical wiring. Inspect your roof for cracked flashing, missing or broken shingles, moss growth, debris build-up, and then consult a professional roofer if you identify problems.
Cleaning Your Gutters And Downspouts
When dirt, leaves, twigs, and debris accumulate in your gutters, they block water from flowing freely. In wintry conditions, they lead to the formation of ice dams. These two scenarios are bad news for your home, as they have the potential to cause extensive structural damage.
For instance, ice dams can cause water to seep through and damage your walls, ceiling, and attic. Apart from clearing and cleaning your gutters, seal any holes and cracks and make sure they are sloped properly to allow for proper flow.
Frequently Flushing Out Clogs
Any form of build-up in your plumbing system could develop into a bigger problem. Clogs can cause rust, leaks, pipe damage, and water interruption. Prevent clogs by removing hair build-up in your shower, removing the rust-colored deposits that build up in your toilet bowl, and watching what you wash down your drain. For a clog-free sewer pipe, work with a specialist once a year to get it cleaned.
Cleaning Your Siding
The scorching summer sun, strong debris-filled winds, bird and insect droppings, and harsh winter weather will eventually leave your home’s exterior looking like it needs a facelift. Thankfully, cleaning your siding can help.
Check if your siding material has any unique cleaning requirements. If you have vinyl siding, use a cleaning mixture of 70% water and 30% white vinegar and a long-handled brush. You can also use a pressure washer but limit the pressure.
Sealing Cracks And Gaps
Gaps in your walls, windows, and doors are caused by temperature fluctuations, poor installation, or expired sealants. These small crevices permit the entry of cold air into your home during the winter months, driving up your energy bill. They are also an entry point for pests and outside pollution. First, inspect your home for any openings, then develop the appropriate solution for each gap.
Apply caulk on the joints between the floor and wall and the gaps between the window and the wall. Also, check around the spaces where wires and pipes enter your home.
Exterminating Pests
Pests are a nuisance and a threat to your investment. A few gnawers and crawlers running around may not seem like a serious problem, but they can indicate a bigger infestation. Rats can chew live wires and cause fires, termites may eat and destroy huge chunks of wood, while bugs can spread diseases.
Once you start receiving unwanted visitors, hire an exterminator to inspect all your home areas, and develop the best preventative solution for the problem.
Become A Proactive Homeowner
You don’t have to wait until a vital component of your home fails for you to perform a repair. Regularly inspecting your home will help identify problems early, get them fixed on time, and avoid costly repairs.
