Cleaning the gutters, organizing the garage, washing the siding – they are some of the necessary home maintenance tasks that keep your house functional, comfortable, and safe. But for many homeowners, it’s an uphill battle to make time for everything that needs to be done. Powering through to get the job done might not be the best plan. Practicing these good home maintenance habits will help you to keep your home in tip-top shape throughout winter and well into spring.
Make a Detailed Schedule
You clean the gutters twice a year; check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every three months; and inspect and clean the roof once a year. But what about inspecting the siding or flood-proofing the basement or taking the promised double vanity off the honey-do list? The end of December is a good time to plan for the upcoming year. Create your home maintenance road map however works for you – month-by-month; season-by-season; or every week. Include blocks of time for miscellaneous repairs and unexpected maintenance tasks. A detailed schedule ensures nothing will fall through the cracks.
Never Neglect the Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters are your home’s first line of defense against the elements in general and water damage in particular. Even if you’ve had the gutter system cleaned this fall, now that winter is officially here plan on checking up on the gutters and downspouts throughout the winter months. Keep downspouts free of debris; check gutter outlets for an accumulation of dirt and leaves; look inside the gutters for any unwanted objects such as balls, toys, shoes, and nesting pests.
If you haven’t had the gutters cleaned in a while, winter is actually a good time to hire a gutter contractor, since they tend to be not as busy as they are in the summer and fall.
Go Green Wherever Possible
If you haven’t yet made significant steps to making your home greener, it can seem a bit overwhelming and confusing. Where to begin? Why not start with the products you purchase. When buying items for your home, keep in mind the following:
- Purchase earth-friendly cleaning products
- Replace old appliances with energy-efficient ones
- Use energy-efficient and earth-friendly construction materials to replace an old roof, siding, or gutters
Hire Instead of DIY
You’re great at fixing leaks, caulking windows, and adding new backsplashes to all of the sinks in the house. But when it involves working out the correct gutter pitch before installing new gutters or knowing the right technique to put cedar siding on your home, do you know how to navigate the installation process like a professional? Hiring a reliable licensed contractor will get the job done in a timely manner without you having to worry about backtracking to fix any DIY mistakes.
Benefits of Good Maintenance Habits
In addition to making your home a welcoming place for family and friends and enhancing your quality of life, the benefits of good home maintenance habits include:
- Saves on costs of major and emergency repairs
- Increases the value of your home
- Ensures your home works efficiently 24/7
- Boosts security
- Improves overall functionality
