There’s more to owning a house beyond mortgage payments and utility bills. The associated fee of maintenance in money and time is considered one of those expenses that may quickly add up. There are, nonetheless, easy maintenance projects every homeowner can do without the assistance of skilled home maintenance services.
To allow you to tackle these, we’ve put together a checklist of 8 projects every homeowner can do.
Easy home maintenance projects and the best way to carry them out
1. Maintain Yard and Landscaping
Keeping your lawn clean and clear makes your own home’s exterior attractive and leaves a transparent and unobstructed view for doorbell or exterior cameras. Regular yard maintenance – using a lawn mower, trimmer and weeding tools – also prevents overgrowth where pests can burrow.
To keep up your yard, start by mowing the lawn often. It’s best to also trim bushes and trees to stop overgrowth, and take away weeds to make sure they don’t overtake your plants. If you may have flower beds, add mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Lastly, water your plants often to maintain them healthy and thriving.
2. Clean Gutters
Gutters are a vital addition to homes. They direct water out of your roof through downspouts and channel it away to stop water from pooling near and damaging your own home. We recommend you routinely check and clean your gutters every six months (in spring and fall), even when you may have gutter guards that reduce the quantity of amassed debris. Doing this routinely helps you be certain that water drains properly.
Cleansing your gutters requires easy tools: a ladder, gloves, a gutter scoop and a garden hose. The method has three easy steps:
- Arrange the ladder safely and climb as much as the peak of the gutter
- Remove debris by hand or with a scoop
- Flush gutters with a garden hose
3. Clean or replace air filters
Cleansing and replacing your air filters helps prevent the device’s airflow getting clogged by dust, fur and other particles within the air. To know when to interchange your filters, check your device’s manual or manufacturer’s instructions. Nevertheless, a great rule of thumb is each one to 3 months.
To wash or replace your air filters you’ll have a vacuum cleaner and a screwdriver in case your system has a panel cover. When you’re cleansing the air filters of your aircon system, we also suggest you clean these with water and soap.
The three primary steps to interchange your air filters will likely be:
- Locate the filter slot within the HVAC system
- Remove the old filter and note the scale
- Insert recent filter following the instructions
4. Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Ensuring your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functional is crucial for safety. This is very true of carbon monoxide detectors as CO is evident, odorless and tasteless. While these detectors have a lifespan of about 10 years, you must check their functionality no less than twice a yr.
Many devices feature a signal for when the battery is running low, and most have a test button you may press to make sure it’s working properly. It’s best to hear a loud alarm whenever you press this button. If the alarm doesn’t make a sound or it sounds low, you must change the batteries and test it again. Change the device altogether if it’s still malfunctioning even after you replace the battery.
5. Inspect and Clean Dryer Vent
Clogged dryer vents pose a big fire hazard, reduce the efficiency of your dryer, and might result in higher energy bills resulting from increased drying times. It’s best to routinely check the vent for blockages and clean it every six months to stop it from getting clogged. To wash it you simply need a dryer vent brush and a vacuum.
First, disconnect the dryer and access the vet. Remove lint from the vent pipe with the comb and vacuum. Ensure you furthermore may clean the lint trap and surrounding area.
6. Touch Up Paint
Keeping paint fresh not only maintains the general appearance of your property but additionally protects surfaces from wear attributable to weather, moisture and every day use. While painting might be time consuming, the materials you’ll need, comparable to paint, brushes, painter’s tape and, possibly, a ladder, are easy to seek out.
Start by cleansing and prepping the world to make sure a smooth surface for painting. Use painter’s tape to cover areas you do not need to get paint on, comparable to windows and edges. This helps achieve clean lines and protects surfaces from accidental smudges. Apply the paint evenly and let it dry. Add additional coats if vital for full coverage.
7. Seal Gaps and Cracks
Sealing gaps and cracks is a simple and cost-effective option to improve your own home’s energy efficiency, prevent drafts and keep pests and moisture out.
To seal gaps and cracks, you’ll have a caulk gun and a putty knife. Begin by identifying gaps around windows and doors, that are common areas for drafts and energy loss. Clean the world to make sure the caulk adheres properly, then apply a gentle bead of caulk along the gap. Finally, smooth the caulk with a putty knife to make sure an excellent seal and a neat appearance.
8. Check for Plumbing Leaks
Checking your own home for plumbing leaks no less than once 1 / 4 helps you discover and stop water damage, which might result in costly repairs and structural issues. By identifying and fixing leaks early, you may avoid mold growth, wood rot and increased water bills.
To examine for leaks, use a flashlight to examine under sinks and around toilets for any signs of water stains or drips. When you notice any small leaks, tighten loose connections or apply plumber’s tape to seal them. It’s vital to handle leaks immediately to stop further damage, so don’t hesitate to call a plumber to get any issues fixed quickly.