Owning a house is a huge responsibility. There are so many things to take care of, so that house maintenance becomes very daunting. However tedious these tasks may be, however, they do have many benefits that make them worth your time and effort.
Keeping your home properly maintained will not only save you money by increasing the longevity of your appliances and existing structures, it will also help you become more energy-efficient and save money on your utility bills. Additionally, proper home maintenance can help prevent small problems that, if left untended, can turn pretty serious.
Here are 10 hassle-free house maintenance tips that you can apply in order to keep things running properly.
1. Plumbing system
Water leakage from the plumbing system of your toilets and other areas can cause serious problems to your house. It is therefore imperative that when problems arise you fix them ASAP.
Most plumbing problems arise at or near fixtures such as sinks, tubs, faucets, etc. But, sometimes the complications occur due to leakage and freezing of pipes.
While you are better off hiring a plumber to repair the troublesome pipes permanently, you can use pipe clamps, epoxy compounds, or pipe wraps for a temporary fix.
In contrast, if the leakage is due to dripping faucet, chances are you need to change the washers or repair the seal. This you can easily do it with the help of a wrench.
2. Roof
Your roof gets exposed to sun, rain, snow, ice and other weather phenomena which cause a considerable amount of damage. Regular inspection and repair of your roof can help prevent problems before they occur and help your roof last longer.
During inspection, pay close attention to shingles around skylights, vents, and chimneys, as these areas are prone to leakage. Also, check out the attic for any signs of rotting under roof’s surface.
Ensure proper insulation and ventilation, as they can save your roof from warping and prevent ice from melting and refreezing in winter. You can always get professional help if you are have any trouble. But, be careful when choosing new tradesman for any job that you need doing around the house. It is always recommended to first check how much the job should cost to ensure you aren’t being ripped off.
3. Gutter
Gutters are designed to capture water and debris runoff from your roof and divert it away from your house. Clogged gutters and improper drainage can cause water to seep and accumulate into your basement. Clogged gutters can also lead to formation of ice dams during winter.
Cleaning your gutters at least once a year is important to prevent its clogging. You can physically clear out leaves, branches and twigs from the gutters. After cleaning the debris, flush the gutter with a garden hose. In addition, make sure the gutters are firmly attached and tighten any loose sections.
4. Leaky toilets
Apart from costing you money in utility bills, leaky toilets cause serious damage to your toilet floor. If you happen to have a septic tank, all the extra water can fill it up faster.
The most likely cause of toilet leak is a faulty flapper that needs to be replaced. To change your toilet’s flapper, first shut off the water supply to your toilet. Then remove the tank lid and flush the toilet. With a towel or sponge, mop out any excess water left in the tank. Remove the flush chain from the lever, and then slide the old flapper up off the overflow tube. Insert the new flapper over the overflow tube, reconnect the chain, and turn the water supply back on.
5. Doors
Squeaky, sticking doors are one of the complications you encounter as your house ages. As a result you may need to make slight adjustments in order to make sure your doors work smoothly.
Doors can be easily prevented from squeaking by lubricating the hinges with petroleum jelly. For sticky doors, clean the hinges and get rid of any accumulation of dust along the door edges. If this does not work, try adjusting the hinges and sanding the edges of the door.
6. Windows
Regularly clean windows by wiping them with damp cloths to get rid of dust and dirt. But, make sure to avoid too much water, as this can cause rot in the wood. Do not forget to clean the window casing and the adjacent wall area as well. This helps to reduce build-up of dirt and debris in the window components, which often contributes to window jams.
7. Floor
Whether you have wooden floors or tile floors, they should be regularly cared for to preserve both their appearance and value.
Slim gaps appearing on wood floors, if left unchecked, can grow until planks pop out of the floor. This can be easily prevented by applying silicone caulks between wood gaps as soon as they appear.
In case of tile floors, applying sealed grout between tile joints repels moisture, protecting the floor from staining or discoloration. Overtime, this grout may wear off, in which case re-grouting should be done.
8. AC
Following a few routine AC chores has several benefits: it decreases your utility bill; provides uninterrupted, noise-free comfort; and increases the lifespan of your AC.
Keep the screen around your air conditioner free from debris for smooth airflow. This will prevent your air conditioner from using more power than necessary to keep your house cool and keep the internal parts from wearing out too quickly.
In addition, inspect the condensation hose regularly to make sure water can freely flow from the line. Make sanitary arrangements to drain the condensed water. Also, clean and change air filters periodically.
9. Paint
The color and quality of paint you use in your house is vital to its appearance. Dull, worn-out color can make your house look much older. Repainting or even retouching the worn-out regions can give your house a facelift.
It is important to use weather proof paints for the exterior walls and shingles as they are directly in contact to sunlight, rain and other weather factors. Weather proof paints may be expensive, but they provide great value for money. Apart from the protection against different agents, they provide excellent gloss that lasts for years.
10. Kitchen chimneys
Oil, grease and other residues get stuck in kitchen chimneys when they absorb smokes and fumes from kitchen. If left unattended, this can not only hamper the ability of chimneys to drive smoke out of kitchen.
The procedure for cleaning chimneys depends on the type of filter your chimney has. Baffle filters should be cleaned with warm water and detergent every two to three weeks. Charcoal filters must be replaced once in five months. Duct tape filters may be cleaned with soap and water every month. You can use auto-cleaning chimneys that have oil containers to prevent oil clogging.
