Perform these simple home maintenance tasks each month and you can save money on repairs over time and increase the value of your home.
We all think of home maintenance at least twice each year: spring and fall. In reality, a few critical areas should be inspected, checked, and cleaned on a monthly basis. Make the rounds of your home once a month and you can prevent costly emergency repairs and increase the value of your most valuable asset.
General interior maintenance:
1. Check air conditioning or heating filters and change as necessary. Buy several filters at once and save yourself a last-minute trip to the store. If you need a temporary solution, run a vacuum hose attachment over the filter.
2. While cleaning or replacing filters, take the vacuum or a duster to all intake vents, not just those that cover the filters.
3. Clothes dryer lint can build up and become a fire threat. Make sure the hose is free of debris. This requires pulling the dryer away from the wall, but it is well worth the effort. When you are outside, check the exterior vent as well.
4. If you have fire extinguishers, give the gauge a quick glance to make sure the air pressure has not bled off.
5. The tops of ceiling fan blades are great dust collectors. If you can reach the top sides with a duster, give them a good swipe and you won't have a major chore on your hands at the six-month mark.
6. A quick review of emergency exits is always a good idea. Do the escape windows open smoothly for even the youngest hands? Now is a great time to go over the emergency plan with each family member.
7. An expert should handle most electrical repairs, but you can perform one simple test to check for problems. Just push the test buttons on each ground fault receptacle to see if they are operating properly.
8. As you go through your home's interior, take a visual of all doorjambs, windows, and walls. Signs of foundations problems will often show up in these areas first. Windows and doors should open and close without effort.
In the bathroom:
9. Take a close look at the faucets and shower heads. See any lime or soap scum buildup? Shower heads are usually simple to remove and can be soaked in vinegar to prevent blockage. Spray sink faucets with vinegar for prevention.
10. Inspect the caulking around tubs and showers. Treat mildew as soon as it appears. Fix cracks with caulking appropriate for the job.
11. The toilet bowl gets regular attention, but you may be forgetting about the reservoir. This is a breeding ground for mold and slime buildup. Let the water drain out and give it a quick spray with disinfectant and a scrub if necessary.
Now for the kitchen:
12. Put a few ice cubes in the disposal and run for a minute or two. This keeps the blades from becoming dull and clears dried-on food. It is also a good idea to pour a little vinegar or baking soda into the drain. Wait about half an hour and then run cold water.
13. Grease buildup in the vent over the stove can become combustible. If you don't replace the filter, at least soak it in soapy water and then rinse. You'll want to check the fan and clean if necessary.
14. The refrigerator can be a water and dust collector. Drain pans should be emptied and the flange at the bottom should be dusted.
For the outdoor list, you'll need just one tool: a pole with a coat hanger taped to the end.
15. We think of cleaning gutters after the leaves have dropped in the fall, but other culprits abound, including birds and other types of yard debris. You don't need a ladder to take a quick swipe at your gutters. Simply tape a coat hanger to a broom or mop handle, twist it into an upside down question mark and feel along the insides for nests and other obstructions. You will, of course, need a ladder if you can't remove the obstacles from the ground.
16. Look around your air conditioning unit and water heater and make sure the hoses are free of cracks or other types of wear.
17. Test the garage door's reverse action by putting a solid object on the ground and closing the door. If your door is chain-driven, use a lubricant suggested by the manufacturer to prevent noise and jerky movement.
18. Take a walk around your entire home for a foundation inspection. Look for unusual cracks and for signs of carpenter ant or termite activity.
19. Invisible leaks from broken pipes underneath your house might go unnoticed until major damage occurs. Turn off the main valve to the water supply. If the meter is still running, it's possible that a leak exists somewhere underneath.
20. Finally, make it a habit to clean at least one major appliance or finish one big job each month. Clean out the fridge and wipe it down; get those stubborn stains out of the carpet, or get out the paint and do a quick touchup on nicks.
Although emergencies can arise at any time, it is easy to remain on top of any potential problems in your home. You're protecting your investment and making the other weekend hours more enjoyable!
