Did you know that there were 77.7 million occupied homes in America in 2018?
About 20.9% of homeowners with a mortgage spent more than 35% of their household income on housing costs. 40.6% of those who rent spent about 35% of their income on housing costs as well.
Homes are expensive investments to make whether you’re going to rent or buy. Maintaining a home can become expensive as well. It doesn’t have to be, however.
Keeping a maintenance checklist that you get through every month is essential. Keep reading to find out what you should add to your list.
1. Make Sure You Have Proper Insulation
Insulation is an important part of proper home maintenance during the winter months. One of the most important things to check is if your windows and doors have proper insulation, this will keep your heating costs from spiking during the winter.
If you can’t purchase new insulation to replace the old one you can always use weather stripping and attach it to your windows and door frames to close the gaps that are letting the hot air out.
Buying insulation sleeves for your pipes is also a must because it’ll prevent freezing and keep your warm water running longer.
2. Check Your Furnace Filter Every Month
Your monthly checklist should include checking your furnace to make sure it’s running properly. Your filter can be changed monthly but it doesn’t have to be if it’s not too worn.
Cleaning it to remove debris and dust will prevent buildup and keep the air circulating through your home as clean as possible. It’ll also stop your energy bill from coming back too high.
3. Prevent Buildup in the Bathroom
If not checked regularly mineral deposits can buildup on faucets and showerheads. Prevention is easy with regular cleaning.
This next task is not the most fun to get through but it’s important to do monthly. It’s especially important if you notice that your bathtub or sink isn’t draining properly.
Use a drain snake to pull out any hair or debris that’s clogging your shower drain. Another method you can try to unclog your sink’s drain is using hot water, baking soda, and vinegar.
4. Change Your Curtains in the Winter
An important task to add to your winter checklist is changing your curtains. Curtains made from thicker material are recommended for winter because they can help keep the heat inside and prevent you from having to turn up the heater in your home. If the sun’s shining bright during the winter, however, opening up the curtains to let the sun in can help warm up your home as well.
Keeping your home’s walls decorated can also help you maintain the heat. Anything from picture frames, to art decor, and bookcases act as an extra layer of insulation. Rugs’ on the floor can help keep the heat from escaping as well.
5. Inspect Your Dishwasher
Dishwasher not draining? Make sure to add inspecting it to your maintenance checklist too. You don’t want to have to spend hours a day handwashing dishes after every meal, figuring out the issues your dishwasher’s having is crucial.
There are many reasons why your dishwasher might not be draining properly. Check to see if it has a dirty filter or if the garbage disposal is blocked.
Regularly cleaning your garbage disposal can prevent this and odors from forming. A simple formula of baking soda and vinegar should do.
6. Check for Leaks
House care can feel like a lot of work but if you do regular upkeep every month you can catch issues before they become more serious and costly. Always be on the lookout for leaks around your home.
You should be checking your air conditioning filter once a month and while you do that you should check the unit outside to see if there are any leaks. A leak will cause your AC unit to work harder and drive up your energy costs.
Check on your toilet and sinks for leaks as well. Leaks can get worse if not addressed early on and can waste thousands of gallons of water. They can increase your water bill as well.
7. Inspect Alarms
This is one of the most important tasks on your maintenance to-do list. If these alarms aren’t working properly your life and your family’s lives can be in danger if an emergency ever arises.
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors usually have test buttons for you to check. You can also refer to your owner’s manual to double-check if they’re functioning as they should be.
You should also have a relatively new fire extinguisher in your home, make sure it’s somewhere accessible for everyone.
8. Make the Necessary Repairs to Your Roof
When you’re a homeowner you have to take care of every part of your home to make sure it’s a safe and suitable place to live for your family. Simple repairs can prevent further damage and costs that will continue to add up the more serious the damage becomes.
Make sure you replace any broken shingles to prevent the heat from escaping in the winter and the cold air from leaving in the summer. This will also keep your energy bill lower.
9. Check All Electrical Cords
Make sure that your maintenance checklist also includes checking the electrical cords. Any exposed wires are dangerous and can lead to more severe electrical problems. These should be repaired immediately.
10. Upkeep for Your Home’s Exterior Is Important Too
House maintenance also requires you to inspect the exterior of your home. In the fall, rake the leaves collecting in your yard. You can also use a power washer to clean your driveway and windows.
In the spring, fertilize your lawn and do some gardening to beautify your home outside.
Everything You Need on Your Maintenance Checklist
A maintenance checklist is an essential thing to keep when you’re a homeowner. Taking care of your home will prevent any issues from becoming bigger and more costly.
Checking for leaks and inspecting your dishwasher are important items to add to your list. If you found this guide helpful, check out some of the other blogs on our site.
