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When you actively address small home maintenance issues, you are better prepared to actively alleviate any larger problems from developing. You may be thinking, “But, I’m not really handy around the home” or “I’m unsure what to check.” I’ve got you covered and believe you can handle these types of general home maintenance routine checks. And remember, you can always call in a professional. But before you do, read through this list and see which items you’re comfortable tackling on your own.
Gutters that are clogged or become blocked can lead to big problems by redirecting water toward unwanted places. A clogged gutter can cause water levels in the gutter to rise and may allow water to get into crevices along the roof leading to roof and shingle damage. Blocked spouts can redirect water to puddle around the home’s foundation. It’s smart to make sure to clean gutters or to have gutter guards installed. There are attachments that fit a garden hose to aid in washing out gutters while you stay on the ground. The experts at the garden center of your local home centers will be able to show you various options for gutter maintenance and cleaning.
Regularly replacing your furnace filters keeps this vital piece of equipment operating at peak performance. Clean filters help to remove dust, mites, and allergens from the air circulating in your home. Checking and replacing filters in the spring and fall readies your HVAC system to function smoothly when heating your home or when the air conditioning is keeping the home comfortable. Consult your HVAC service manual to know which size filter is required and the recommended cycle for changing filters. Not all filters have the same life cycle. For instance, a 1” filter functions best when it’s changed monthly. To help you remember to regularly change the filter, consider subscribing to an auto-send service such as available on Amazon or your HVAC provider may also offer such subscriptions.
Another key area to keep clean and make certain is properly cleaned is the AC/Furnace Drain Line. Typically, there are two drain lines running from the furnace, the main one that often drains to a bathroom sink and the other which runs from the drain pan of the furnace to the exterior of the home and will drip. The drip from this line is generally due to the fact that the main drain line has a buildup/blockage that is causing the drain pan to fill up. This main drain line can be blown out (professionally, or DIY with something line a shop vacuum that has a ‘blow’ feature). Then as far as maintenance goes, there are a few options, but once a year it’s recommended using bleach, distilled vinegar, or an HVAC drain line cleaner to get rid of the gunk, algae, and other build up in that line.
Lint build-up is the leading cause of dryer fires. Get in the habit of regularly checking and cleaning the exterior dryer vent as well as removing lint after each load.
Seasonally, there can be various infestations of insects and other pests that homeowner’s want to discourage around their home. Pest control measures could include contacting a pest control agency to come out for an inspection and to place barriers inside and outside. Or, it may be items you can use such as adding door sweeps to seal gaps, inspecting window screens for any holes or tears, using caulking in cracks, and applying sticky barriers to stop pests in their tracks. Another approach is to trim landscaping back and remove old plant debris to discourage attracting pests. As you do your walkaround looking for any signs of pests, keep your eyes open for any holes requiring repair or other crevices that could become an opening for a small critter. Prevention is your first step in having a trusted pest control barrier.
If your hot water heater would malfunction and begin to leak, would you know where to turn off the water? As you’re looking around your home for any problems, it’s good for everyone in the home to be aware of the locations to shut-off both the water and gas in any emergency. If you live in an area with high mineral content in the water, draining your hot water heater it twice a year could be beneficial to reduce and remove build-up.
The chances are good that everything in your electrical breaker box is clearly labelled but it’s good to double-check. If you’ve had some new electrical work completed, be sure that the breaker box has been updated to accurately represent any applicable changes.
Quarterly take a moment to check and oil doors and hinges through your home and garage. Don’t overlook all the moving parts on your garage door. Oiling the hinges on interior doors will remove creaks.
Whether you use an actual notebook, a mark-n-wipe board hung on the wall in the garage, or an Excel sheet on your computer, it’s so handy to have a central place to record when something around the home was last repaired, cleaned, or had maintenance. When you take a moment to document what was done, you won’t be guessing if it’s time to schedule your next HVAC maintenance visit. This can also be a place to note which filters are used with the furnace. It will save you searching for a model number to add to your shopping list. Another note to include in your notebook relates to fire extinguishers in your home. Make note for when these expire so you always have fully-charged extinguishers at the ready should you ever need one. And thinking about more fire safety, add reminders for changing the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors twice annually as well as to check for grease build-up in kitchen exhaust vents and if you have a chimney to regularly clean or schedule a professional cleaning with a chimneysweep.
Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers, and citywide was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020, #3 in 2021, and #2 in 2022. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.
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