Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you can ever make. As such, it is critical to always put it in good condition to attract a higher value in case you decide to sell. This is what routine home maintenance does. Investing in home maintenance and renovation projects keeps your home in good shape and increase your home market value.
However, your maintenance works should always be strategic to have value for money. If for financial reasons, you cannot embark on all projects at once, break them into segments, starting from the most urgent. With that being said, home maintenance shouldn’t always be expensive. Some small impactful home changes can transform your home. That aside, there are several DIY home maintenance projects you can undertake to give your home a facelift.
So, from calling on a pool leak repair specialist to inspect and maintain your swimming pool, to HVAC system fixing, here are seven important areas to add to your next home maintenance checklist.
Home security and safety
A higher percentage of your home security and safety depends on you and should be on your priority list. In your next maintenance work, check your smoke and fire detectors to ensure they are functioning properly. Don’t forget to replace batteries when on time. Your fire extinguisher should be fixed at convenient places for easy access in case of a fire breakout. Have a look at your emergency exits, and declutter the area of anything that may hinder free movement during emergencies. If you don’t have emergency exits, it’s time to create one for your own safety.
HVAC System
The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC system) is responsible for the control of temperature and humidity and the circulation of quality air in your home. Routine maintenance is therefore required for better performance and energy efficiency. Such maintenance also saves you from a high repair cost that may result from a total breakdown.
You should therefore include the HVAC servicing in your next home maintenance checklist. Contact an HVAC technician to check on all possible faults for the needed maintenance and repairs. The specialist will check for electrical problems, refrigerant leaks, dirty or blocked air filters, and the thermostat for the right calibration, lubricate moving parts, and tighten various connections among others.
Roof and gutters
A leaky roof can have extreme consequences on your home. It can create mold on your wall and even weaken your foundation if not checked on time. Don’t wait to have your roof leak profusely to embark on an expensive roof replacement and wall fixing. The best and prudent measure is to routinely inspect the roof and gutters for any damages and fix them accordingly.
Check for damaged or missing roofs for repair or replacement. Clear the gutter of all debris and blockages hindering the free flow of water. If there is a tree near, which is potentially dangerous to your roof, prune it.
Plumbing works
Leaky plumbing work can also cause huge damage to your home. You should regularly check on the plumbing and fix any leaks as soon as possible. To check for possible plumbing leaks, look out for damp spots on your walls. Your plumbing checklist should include routine inspection of pipelines, faucets for drips, under the sinks, and drainages. A mold remediation specialist can help with these checks and fix them to prevent future damage and the huge cost of repair.
Electrical works
Most homeowners pay less attention to their home wiring and other electrical works unless a huge fault emerges. This is so wrong because a simple naked wire can spark a fire outbreak in your home. As you plan your next renovation work, call in a certified electrician to run a test on your home wiring and electrical system.
You may need to replace damaged wires, sockets, plugs, and switches. If possible, introduce smart devices and lights to give your home a modern touch.
Pay attention to your landscape
Your front yard should also be properly maintained and well-catered in your routine maintenance. Give proper attention to your lawns by mowing your grass frequently. Also, trim your hedges and flowers, removing all dead plants to give your home an aesthetic look. This also helps to keep your home free from pests.
Declutter your home
Lastly, declutter your home to create enough space for new deco materials and easy movement. Get rid of everything that has lost relevance in your current setup. From your bedrooms to living room, kitchen to bathroom, get rid of anything taking up space. Your old electrical gadgets, furniture, artifacts, etc. should be discarded or given out as a gift.
Take home
Routine home maintenance prevents expensive repair work. If well planned and executed, your maintenance project wouldn’t be costly, as most homeowners fear. Use the above as your checklist for your next home maintenance project. You can embark on these projects in batches to reduce the impact on your finances.