An Ounce of Prevention: Basic Home Maintenance Tips

Your home is likely your biggest financial investment, and it is also where you live. Routine maintenance keeps it damage free and comfortable for decades. Some tasks are monthly, some are a few times a year and some are as needed, but nearly all are within reach for most homeowners.

Here are three areas you should never skip.

1. Protect Your Home From Water Damage

Your home delivers clean water, carries dirty water away and keeps outdoor water out. Water damages more homes than fire, so these steps can prevent costly insurance claims.

• Clean faucet and showerhead aerators. Unscrew the small screen, soak it in vinegar for 15 minutes, scrub with an old toothbrush and replace.
• Recaulk as needed around windows, doors, tubs and showers to prevent leaks, rot and mold. Older tubs without a flange need extra attention.
• Winterize outdoor water. Hard freezes are uncommon in the South but they do happen. Shut off and drain outdoor spigots, hoses and irrigation lines, or add inexpensive insulator covers.
• Clean gutters and downspouts at least once a year, or install gutter guards. Clogged gutters can send water into your walls or erode soil near your foundation.

2. Give Your Home's Machines Some Love

Heating, cooling, hot water and appliances bring comfort our ancestors could only dream of, but they need regular care.

• Change HVAC filters every two to three months, or monthly if you have pets or use high efficiency filters. Write the date on the filter frame so you remember.
• Vacuum dust from refrigerator coils, exhaust fan grills, dryer vents and HVAC intake vents about once a month.
• Clean the garbage disposal twice a month by grinding ice, then running hot water.
• Oil hinges and tighten doorknobs every few months.
• Test smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries at least once a year.

For more on keeping your HVAC efficient, see our home cooling tips.

3. Take Care of Your Surfaces

Floors, counters, roofs and walls see a lot of wear. Cleaning and protecting them helps them last longer and look their best.

• Pressure wash siding, windows, decks and sidewalks to remove mildew, mold and moss.
• Reseal interior surfaces. Natural stone like marble, slate, limestone, granite, travertine and terrazzo, plus concrete and terracotta, need regular sealing. Most ceramic and porcelain tile does not. To test, place a few drops of water on the surface. If it soaks in, it is time to seal.
• Reseal exterior wood decks, fences and outdoor furniture seasonally.
• Inspect your roof for damaged or loose shingles, especially after storms, and call a professional if you spot problems.

Make a Plan and Stick to It

This list may seem long, but you have all year to tackle it. Create a checklist or recurring calendar reminders, and it will take little time while keeping your home cleaner, safer and more welcoming.

If you notice bigger issues along the way, Tracy Tesmer Design and Remodeling can help, from new windows and doors to a complete kitchen remodel. Call 678-450-1700 or contact us online.