Home Sweet Home: 6 Essential Preventative Home Maintenance Tasks for Every Homeowner
Your home is not only a cozy and comfy spot where you spend your time. But also one of your biggest investments. And just like your yearly physicals to stay in tip-top shape, your home needs regular TLC too (aka, preventative maintenance).
Taking time to give your home some love and attention will keep it looking gorgeous and prevent costly issues down the road. But where do you start?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We put together a list of the top 6 home maintenance tasks you should definitely do once a year. Let’s grab a cup of coffee and get started.
Yearly Preventative Home Maintenance Tasks for All Homeowners
Check for water damage or water leaks
Water damage can cause a ton of issues – from pesky rodents and termites to gross mold, mildew, and rotting wood. And let’s not forget the health risks to you and your family.
So it’s super important to check your home for any water damage at least once a year. If your home is on the older side, definitely do it more frequently.
Here are some steps you can take to prevent water damage and leaks in your home:
Give those rain gutters a good cleaning twice a year
Have a pro inspect your roof twice a year
Drain your water heater to prevent any leaks
Fix any wobbly toilets
Install and use fans in your bathroom and kitchen
Keep an eye out for any stains or dark areas on your pipes, under the sink, and on your walls or ceilings
Remember, catching a leak when it's just starting can save you a ton of money on repairs and prevent any long-term damage.
2. Test the sump pump or backup pump
Imagine you're in the middle of a crazy storm or hurricane, and suddenly, your sump pump stops working or gets clogged. Not fun, right?
It’s important to make sure your pump is in good working order before the floodwaters start rising. Grab your user manual and follow the steps to test if the water discharges from the line properly. And don’t forget to test your backup pump too.
If you don't have a sump pump or backup pump but you've got a basement in your Florida home, consider having one installed to protect your home from flooding. It's an investment that can save you A LOT of stress and money down the road.
3. Check if any appliances have been recalled
Did you know that faulty appliances caused over 150,000 residential fires from 2006 to 2008? But don't worry, you can take some steps to keep your home and family safe.
First, make sure to check your appliances every year to see if they've been recalled for any defects. The easiest way to do this is to go to recalls.gov and enter the model and serial number of your appliances.
Here's a pro tip: create a list or spreadsheet with all your appliance information so you don't have to go searching for it every time. Trust us, it'll save you time and hassle in the long run.
4. Check all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
Testing your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors every month is super important for keeping your home and family safe. And the good news is, it's as easy as pressing the "test" button on the alarm.
And twice a year it's also important to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. The best time to do this is when you're adjusting your clocks for fall and spring. That way, you won't forget!
And speaking of replacements, after 5-10 years (depending on the brand), you'll need to replace your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors altogether. It's a small investment but an important one.
Now is also a good time to make sure you have enough smoke alarms. Experts recommend having one installed inside and outside of each bedroom, as well as on every level of your house.
And if you really want to be thorough, consider having them wired together so if one goes off, they all do.
5. Clean vents and filters
Cleaning out your vents and filters can help you save money and prevent a fire hazard. By giving your HVAC and heating systems a little TLC, you'll not only extend their lifespan, but also reduce your energy bill and avoid costly maintenance fees.
To get started, make sure you're following the manufacturer's recommendations for how often to replace your HVAC filter. And don't forget to give all the vents in your home a good brushing or cleaning (and maybe even replace them if they're looking a bit worse for wear).
6. Get your carpets professionally cleaned
We get it - it's tempting to rent a carpet cleaning machine from the store and go to town on your carpets. But those machines can actually do more harm than good. They can be rough on your carpets and shorten its lifespan.
So, instead of taking matters into your own hands, consider hiring a professional carpet cleaning company to do the job right. Not only will this extend the life of your carpets, but it'll also help prevent allergen buildup and improve the air quality in your home.
Does home maintenance feel like a hassle and you don’t have the time to get it done?
Mango Management is here to help!
We’re not all DIYers or have the time to tackle these home projects. As home management experts, we can make sure all of your home’s monthly, seasonal, and yearly preventive maintenance tasks get done.
This way, you can rest easy knowing that your home is being properly maintained, and you can focus your time on the things that matter most to you.
Why stress over home maintenance when you can leave it to us?