Routine Checklists For Home Maintenance Tips To Save Money

No matter what type of home you own, it's important to make regular maintenance an important part of caring for your property. Not doing so can result in damage to your home and subsequent repairs being necessary.

Ultimately, repairs always cost more than simply keeping your home in check. If you're not sure where to get started, the following money-saving routine home maintenance tips can help. These are designed to simplify what you need to do to keep your home in good shape throughout the year.

Protect Your Drains

In the sink and shower, it's important to protect your drains from excess hair and other debris that can build up over time. One of the best ways to do this is by installing a hair catcher in the shower or bathtub.

However, it's also recommended to buy a pipe snake that you can use each month to pull out the hairs that do end up going down the drain. These cost a few dollars and can save you from expensive appointments with your plumber.

Clean Out Your Gutters

Your gutters and downspouts protect your home from water damage when it rains. Since these can become clogged over time from mud, branches, leaves, and other debris, it's important to clean them a couple of times per year. You can do this yourself to save money, although if you're not comfortable on a ladder, it's recommended to hire a professional.

Clean Dryer Vents

FEMA estimates that nearly 3,000 dryer fires happen each year. Unfortunately, many of these are caused by uncleaned dryer vents. To avoid this happening to you, clean out the dryer vent each time you do a load of laundry. In addition to this, check to make sure the duct is clear so air can safely escape outside. A deep cleaning may also be necessary if you haven't cleaned the ducts in a while.

Place and Check Fire Extinguishers

Have a fire extinguisher available to use near your kitchen and other major rooms of your home. After purchasing, make sure these are kept in areas that are easy to access and always check to make sure they're working throughout the year. The safety seals should always be intact and the pressure gauge should be normal as well.

Clean Your Fridge

While cleaning the inside of your fridge is important, how often do you check the coils on the bottom of the unit? Since these can become covered in dirt, hair, and dust, you'll want to try to clean them every few months. To do so, just unplug the fridge, pull it out of place, and then gently clean the coils with a vacuum attachment and cloth. Once finished, put the fridge back and you'll be better protected from a fire and potential fridge failure.

Check Your Fire Alarms

A fire alarm is one of the most vital pieces of security in your home. As soon as you hear one of these beep due to low battery, get your ladder out and replace it. However, don't stop there. According to Checkworks, it's a good idea to replace the batteries in all of your fire alarms at the same time to ensure each is in proper working condition.

Clean HVAC Filters

At least twice per year, it's important to clean the filters on your HVAC system. This will improve airflow, reduce the amount of dust in your home, and ensure your HVAC system can run efficiently.

Clean the Range Filter

If you cook a lot, then you'll need to clean the filter located in your range hood. This can be done with a scrubbing sponge, hot water, dish soap, and baking soda after you pop the filter out of place. It's also recommended to wear gloves to avoid getting grease on your hands.

Maintain Your HVAC

In addition to cleaning your filters, it's important to have your HVAC system maintained around once per year. It's best to have a professional take care of this if you're not familiar with what it takes to do the work yourself.

Check Your Roof

Once winter is over, take a look at your roof to see if it's in good shape. If you notice any areas that are holding water or seem to be damaged, then call in a roofer as soon as possible. Even if you don't have water leaking through the roof, this problem could be in your future if you don't have repairs done right away.

A Well-Maintained and Healthy Home

By regularly taking care of maintenance in most areas of your home, you can save a considerable amount of money each year. What's even better is that you'll be working to minimize issues within your home simply by keeping it in good shape. However, if you find that something is too difficult to do on your own, always hire a professional to help. In most cases, maintenance by contractors is much more affordable than repairs down the road.