Your house costs you a lot, and you might still be paying a mortgage on it. The family residence is a huge investment, but its value will depreciate if you neglect its maintenance. Furthermore, if you leave all the little things unaddressed, they will become bigger problems that will be much more expensive to fix.
A rundown home is also dangerous to its occupants. Various types of health and safety hazards can develop. An article on Medical News Today states that problems in respiratory health such as asthma and allergies, among others, can develop from exposure to dust mites and mold that grows from water leaks.
Respiratory illnesses, neurological problems, developmental issues, and even cancer can develop through exposure to lead, carbon monoxide, and radon from poorly maintained plumbing, heating, ventilation, air- conditioning (HVAC) systems, and gas appliances. Regularly inspect your home from the top down, inside and out, and do preventive maintenance.
Cleaning also has physical and mental health benefits, as reported by Verywell Mind, citing several sources. One study shows that having a clean house predicts good health among its occupants. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America states that the act of cleaning and the resulting cleaner home environment reduces symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Check Your Roof and Gutters
Your roof and gutters need regular cleaning and inspection. Otherwise, debris will accumulate and clog the gutters. This will cause rainwater to run down through various paths that can cause the growth of mold and structural damage down to your home’s foundation.
Moss can also accumulate on the roof, causing it to deteriorate faster and leak. It is best to get a professional roof-cleaning service with the expertise to thoroughly inspect your roof and gutters and address all possible issues before they become full-blown problems. Ask them to apply a moss-deterrent on your roof, as well.
Regular Exterior Maintenance
Clean your home’s sidings by power washing. Check for parts that are loose, chipped, cracked, or have rotted, and replace those. Repaint faded sidings to add protection against the elements. Check any masonry for worn mortar and replace these. It prevents water and pests from entering the home.
Clean and polish your windowpanes. Check the caulks for cracks and leaks and replace caulking in problem areas. Do the same for your front and back doors. This will prevent rainwater from coming into the house and also seals out the heat in summer and the cold in winter. If you have screens on your windows and doors, clean these, as well.
Clean and refinish patios and decks as needed. Replace boards that are cracked, raised, or rotted, as well as missing or loose screws. Check the structural integrity in general. Reseal or re-stain a deck every three years to prevent water from soaking into the boards and mildew or mold buildup. Clean concrete steps, walkways, and driveways, filling in cracks and removing anything that makes them slippery.
If you have a fence, check for gaps, holes, or anything that needs repair. Repaint it as needed. Prune your trees and bushes, removing dead branches and clearing dead leaves. Cover exposed tree roots with mulch to prevent anyone from tripping over them. Mow and fertilize your lawn and remove weeds from the peripheries.
Regular Indoor Maintenance
Hire accredited professionals to do regular inspection and preventive maintenance on your HVAC system, including the chimney and all gas appliances, as well as plumbing. Hire a professional to check your septic tank to pump it as needed. Unless you have the proper accreditations, you are not qualified to identify all possible problems.
Check all your outlets, especially those that have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). These are in moisture-prone areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. Replace them as needed to prevent shocks and fires.
Clean your appliances such as the refrigerator, dishwater, garbage disposal, range hood filter. Inspect your dryer’s internal ductwork and clean its external vent. Clogged vents can cause a fire.
Install and regularly check the performance of alarms for fire and carbon monoxide detection. Also, install an automatic sprinkler system for fires and test your fire extinguishers. On the other end, install a humidistat to measure your home’s humidity. If it goes above 60 percent, install a dehumidifier.
Unclog all your drains in the kitchen and bathrooms. Clean showerheads, faucets, and bathtubs, as well as tile grouts. Clean lighting fixtures and fans. Vacuum your carpets regularly and do a deep clean once or twice a year.
If you have a basement, check the foundation both indoors and outdoors for any cracks. To prevent basement flooding, make sure that your sump pump is included in the regular inspection and maintenance of a professional plumber.
Enjoy Your Well-Maintained Home
Regular maintenance keeps your home safe and comfortable for you and your family and gives you peace of mind. The extra effort it takes is worth it because you are working for your own welfare. Every effort is also an investment because it ensures that your home’s value appreciates through the years.
