Here’s Your Annual Home Maintenance Checklist

As a homeowner, you already know how crucial it is to keep up with regular maintenance tasks. However, it’s easy to forget about some of the less obvious home maintenance items on your to-do list until glaring problems arise.

It leads to expensive, stressful, and time-consuming problems such as total system shutdowns. Here’s an annual home maintenance checklist to help you stay on top of things and avoid such disasters.

Carry Out a Furnace Tune-Up 

Before the cold season sets in, seek furnace tune up services | No Problem Heating & Cooling to ensure your system is in good working order. This professional maintenance will help your furnace operate more efficiently and prevent common issues such as strange noises, short cycling, and pilot light problems.

Follow the recommended maintenance schedule, which includes replacing the filters monthly, cleaning the blower, and checking for any wear and tear. Doing this improves efficiency, saves you money on energy bills, and extends the lifespan of your furnace. You’ll also have more consistent heating throughout your home.

Clean The Gutters

Gutters play a vital role in protecting your home from water damage by directing rainwater away from the foundation. They can’t do their job properly when clogged with leaves and other debris. As a result, water seeps into your home, causing serious damage to the structure and leading to mold growth.

To avoid such problems, clean your gutters at least twice a year, in spring and fall. If you have trees near your home, do it more often. Check for leaks and cracks and repair them promptly to prevent water damage.

Inspect The Roof

Your roof is one of the most crucial components of your home, and it needs regular maintenance to stay in good condition. At least once a year, check for missing or damaged shingles and have them replaced promptly. Remember, roofs have a lifespan. If yours is over 20 years old, it may be time for a replacement. However, slate, metal, and tile roofs last longer.

Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

To protect your family from fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year. You should also vacuum the units regularly to prevent dust build-up, which interferes with their operation. If your home has no detectors, install them as soon as possible.

Check Your Home’s Caulking and Weather-Stripping

Caulking and weather-stripping keep your home energy-efficient. Check the caulking around doors, windows, and other openings to ensure it’s in good condition and not cracked or peeling. 

If necessary, remove the old caulking and apply new. Also, check the weather-stripping around doors and windows and replace it when damaged. These simple tasks will prevent drafts and air leaks, saving you money on energy bills.

Check and Add More Insulation If Needed

Just like caulking and weather-stripping, insulation is vital for an energy-efficient home. If you live in an older home, it might not have enough insulation. Check the attic and walls and add more insulation if needed. This simple task will keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer, saving you money on energy bills.

If the area experiences storms, install a whole-house generator. You’re assured of power during an outage, keeping your home warm and comfortable. When doing this, check the insulation on your pipes as well. Frozen pipes lead to serious water damage.

Clean Your Dryer Vent

A clogged dryer vent increases your energy bills and is a fire hazard. To prevent such problems, clean your dryer vent at least once a year. If you use the dryer frequently, do it more often. First, disconnect the dryer from the power source to clean the vent. 

Remove the exhaust hose and vacuum it with a brush attachment. Next, vacuum the inside of the dryer vent with a long hose attachment. Finally, reconnect the hose and turn on the dryer to test it.

Test Your Sump Pump

A sump pump prevents flooding after a storm or heavy rain. If you have one, test it regularly to ensure it’s working properly. To test the pump, fill the sump pit with water and turn on the pump. The water should start flowing out of the discharge pipe within a few seconds. If it doesn’t, call a plumber to have it repaired or replaced.

Take Care of Your Lawn and Garden

Your lawn and garden need regular care to stay healthy and look their best. Mow the lawn regularly, trim the hedges, and pull weeds. In fall, rake up leaves, and in winter, shovel snow. 

Add mulch to your flower beds to keep weeds away and help the soil retain moisture. Also, fertilize your lawn and garden regularly. These simple tasks will make your home more inviting and increase its curb appeal.

Check Your Home’s Exterior Paint

The exterior paint on your home protects it from the elements. Inspect the paint regularly and touch up any chipping or peeling areas. If the paint is more than five years old, repaint the entire exterior. The task protects your home from water damage, rot, and pests and enhances its curb appeal.

Fumigate and Pest-Proof Your Home

Frequent fumigation and pest-proofing keep your home free of insects, rodents, and other pests. Hire a professional to fumigate your home at least once a year. To pest-proof, seal any cracks and holes in the foundation, walls, and floors.

Besides this, keep food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly. Understand “Besides this, keep food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly.” For bigger objects, you may need to hire a rubbish removal company like 1300 Rubbish to safely remove and dispose of the item for you.

Check Your Home’s Efficiency Rate

Your home’s energy efficiency is important for saving money on utility bills. To check it, hire a professional to conduct an energy audit. The effort will identify areas where your home is losing energy and recommend improvements. Implement the recommendations to make your home more energy-efficient and save money in the long run.

Understand Your Home’s Needs

Your home is one of your biggest investments, so taking care of it is important. Understand its needs and the available budget, then make a home maintenance plan. Involve professionals to make sure the tasks are carried out properly. The effort prolongs your home’s lifespan and makes it more comfortable and inviting. Most importantly, it keeps your family safe.