Every homeowner wants to do all they can to ensure their financial investment lasts for many years. Performing annual upkeep to your property is essential for not only maintaining its value but also ensuring its structural integrity. Inspecting heating and ventilation systems, treating for termites, inspecting against water intrusion, are all necessary factors in properly maintaining your home. As much as many may dread it, taking these steps is essential to protecting your home. With the numerous problems homeowners are facing today, we felt it was necessary to provide them with advice concerning the annual upkeep to their property. This is why we’ve put together a list of five things every homeowner can do to protect their home and increase its value.
Home Warranty
Before you do anything, homeowners should seriously consider a TotalProtect Home Warranty. This will help cover expenses related to repairing or replacing appliances and home systems when they breakdown due to normal wear and tear. Unlike homeowner’s insurance, which typically only covers property damage from natural disasters and fires, a home warranty covers appliances, heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electric and much more for one low monthly price. Let’s face it, one or two repairs a year can wind up costing you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. A home warranty plan covers these out of pocket expenses. Warranty holders only pay a small predetermined deductible for the repair or replacement of covered appliances.
Aesthetic Improvements
Making your home aesthetically appealing is just as important as performing exterior improvements. For example, adding a fresh coat of paint to your living room or bedroom will not only make your house look new again, but will offer other opportunities for improving your overall decor. Treating your windows and roofs are also important. Ensuring windows are weatherproof is not only inexpensive but highly effective at saving you money on your monthly utility bills. This same principle holds true with having your roof inspected at least once a year for cracks and leaks.
Protecting Against Water Intrusion
Water intrusion is probably one of the biggest concern’s homeowners face. There is no greater nightmare than having a leaky roof or flood water intruding upon the sanctity of your home. From both home safety and damage remediation perspective, water intrusion should be a primary concern for all homeowners. Inspecting your rain gutters and downspouts, exterior paint, window seals, and cracks near or around the foundation of your home is a wise idea when trying to minimize your water intrusion risks. If you happen to find any cracks or leaks, seal, clean and caulk areas in need of repair as soon as you notice them.
Treating For Termites
According to a recent article in the New York Times, termites cause billions of dollars in damage for homeowners every year. I don’t know about you, but having these nasty critters chew away you are life savings doesn’t necessarily sound like the best idea. Thankfully, there are both natural and unnatural ways of preventing and resolving termite problems. For those of us who don’t like cancerous chemicals sprayed inside of their homes, using natural remedies are our best bet. A little known secret worm, the nematodes, love to munch down on termites. This creepy crawlies are highly effective at eliminating termite problems both outside and around the home. You can purchase these wonderful little critters online or in specialty shops. Once purchased, release them into the area where you know, or suspect, termites have nested. After they go to work for their lunch, it’s hasta la vista baby! For the inside of your home try vinegar. It’s a wonder material for both cleaning and preventing termite infestation. Use it on your kitchen counters, showers, bathrooms, anywhere termites might be present. Simply mix 1/2 cup of vinegar with juice from two lemons and, voila! You have yourself a termite killing sub-machine gun. If you aren’t too concerned with combating the problem using natural remedies, call your local termite inspector and have them review both the inside and outside of the property at least once a year.
Inspect For Roofing Repairs Annually
To be frank, roof inspections must be a part of your regular home repair routine. Catching issues early are key to not only saving money but ensuring the well-being of your family. Inspections prevent leaking water damage, deck sagging, and cracks. Having all of your vents sealed while replacing cracks will save you from having to waste money on a new roof. Performing these routine maintenance suggestions can add up to 40 years of additional life onto your existing roof.
Whether you’re looking to protect your home, or increases its value, using these five tips can ensure your home stays in tip-top condition for many years to come.
