Owning your own home is a big responsibility and not just in matters of finance. Making sure your home maintenance is up-to-date can be a lot of work! Maintain your house in peak condition year-round by making sure you keep up with those things that are easy to let fall by the wayside.
Keep Your A/C Running Perfectly
Going without air conditioning in the heat of summer is never a great time! Keeping that in mind is an excellent motivator to keep your A/C unit correctly maintained.
First of all, make sure to keep your unit clean. There are many parts to an air conditioner and different ways to access them and keep them in good condition. There may be a metal cage covering the unit, which you can carefully remove to access the fins.
According to the Department of Energy’s report on air conditioner maintenance, the fins are delicate and easily damaged. Make sure you look out for bent fins or ones clogged by debris. Specialized tools are available that you can use to clean or bend fins back into place.
Central air conditioners have filters somewhere along the return duct. They are often in walls or ceilings behind a removable grill. You can clean and reuse some filters, but others you will have to replace periodically, based on the conditions inside your home and how often you use the unit.
Electrical Maintenance Made Easy
We take electricity for granted most of the time, so it can be easy to forget that your home’s electrical system needs maintenance, too. There are quick tasks you can do around the house to keep everything safe and in working condition.
First, you want to make sure there are no damaged cords or power outlets. Practice extension cord safety by only using them temporarily, never as permanent fixtures.
However, since most of us don’t have intricate knowledge of how to maintain the wiring in a home, it is also essential to schedule routine professional maintenance. Electricians can offer regular inspections that ensure that your home’s electrical systems remain safe and functional.
Professionals, such as this electrician in Stockton, will provide a detailed report letting you know about any issues they found. This document helps to verify that your home’s electrical systems are operating in peak condition.
Regularly Inspect Your Home
Every once in a while, it can be a good idea to take a stroll around the perimeter of your home and make sure everything looks to be in decent shape. Here are some ideas of what to watch out for on your patrol:
How is the roof looking? Do you need to replace any shingles?
- Check the foundation for signs of cracks or water damage.
- Do the gutters need cleaning? You don’t want to cause a leak in the roof! Make sure to clean them out regularly.
- Check the patio for any sign of loose or damaged boards or nails.
- Check for standing water—this can be a sign of sinkholes!
As for the interior, here are a few more things to check:
Inspect your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Look under the sink and check the pipes for any signs of leakage. Also, keep an eye out for water stains on the ceiling, which can alert you to a leak.
- Make sure to check the foundation inside as well! Head down to the basement to assess any possible damage.
Again, owning a home can be quite an undertaking, but one well worth the effort. Make sure to follow these tips and keep up your regular maintenance to keep your home at its very best!
