4 Home Maintenance Tasks You Need to Schedule Each Year
When it comes to home improvement, many people purely focus on renovations and styling. However, it’s important to remember all those tedious home maintenance tasks if you want to keep your home in the best condition possible. Keeping up with home maintenance tasks will also help you save more money in the short and long-term by stopping small problems from turning into big ones, you must look after your property with some good ol’ boring maintenance.
Home maintenance tasks might not be glamorous and exciting, but they are things which you should schedule into your calendar each year. Read on for some of the most common ones you should take charge of in your home.
Create a Plan so You Don’t Fall Behind
Because it’s easy to forget about all the different types of home maintenance tasks you have to complete throughout the year, it is always a good idea to go ahead and create a set plan for yourself.
Schedule when each job needs to be done throughout the coming 12 months, so you stay vigilant and are sure to catch any problems while they’re still small. Note down which home maintenance tasks have to be done annually, bi-annually, quarterly or monthly (most are usually once or twice a year like pool maintenance), and consider documenting the condition of your home with photos or videos.
1. HVAC Systems Maintenance
To ensure you and your family stay warm in winter and cool in summer – and don’t have to pay outrageous costs for the pleasure – be sure to maintain your heating and cooling systems. HVAC appliances can wear down over time and should be well-maintained to stay in tip-top condition and run optimally. The sooner you address potential issues the better.
It is wise to have your HVAC systems inspected by licensed electricians or other specialists at least once or twice per year. In particular, have them look at your unit and the accompanying vents before summer and winter, when you’re more likely to be using HVAC for multiple hours per day.
One of the main things to be done regularly is cleaning and replacing the filters. This is one of those home maintenance tasks you might be able to do by yourself, if you have some experience in the area. Professionals should also inspect the ventilation of your units and the condensation hose to see if any problems have arisen.
If expensive repairs are required, you may find you’re better off actually installing new appliances. If you invest in a property that likely needs a new HVAC soon, look into home warranty plans and reviews as it pays to cover yourself with this kind of insurance.
2. Roof Maintenance
Gutters can clog up pretty quickly, especially if there are overhanging trees dropping leaves and small branches on a regular basis. As such, an important maintenance task you don’t want to put off is cleaning out gutters. This job should generally be done every few months. If you neglect it, icicles and ice dams could form. From there, the water can melt and pool in the gutters and eventually lead to the creation of rust and even holes.
Either clean out the gutters yourself or hire a company that specializes in the job to do it for you. If you find the gutters get backed up too quickly, consider installing micromesh guards. These will help keep pine needles, leaves, shingle grit and the like from accumulating. Hinged gutter guards can also be installed.
Your home maintenance tasks schedule should also include a check of your property’s roof annually, at a minimum. Over time, roofs can wear down, or extreme weather can cause tiles and shingles to be broken. Holes and leaks may follow. Plus, in certain moist regions, vines, moss and other plant material can grow over your roof, leading to future issues such as tiles being lifted.
As such, keep an eye on your roof to see if there are any signs of damage or significant wear over time. You may need to have a professional roofer come out to inspect, clean and repair your roof yearly – if this isn’t something you can take care of yourself. If your roof is in good repair but you need frequent help with your gutters, you might try to hire an enterprising neighborhood kid who isn’t afraid of heights or muck.
Be sure to check out our FREE printable roof maintenance checklist for homeowners so you can be sure you don’t miss any of those home maintenance tasks!
3. Plumbing Maintenance
It’s a good idea to check your plumbing at least twice a year. Just take a walk around the home and check for things like leaking faucets, toilet tank leaks, check that the sink drains properly, remove hair from tub and shower drains, check dishwasher drains, check washing machine drains, check the hot water heater, etc. Anything with water going to it or from it should be looked at so you can catch problems before you end up with water damage. You can also hire someone else to do home maintenance tasks like this if you aren’t sure what to look for.
4. Washer & Dryer Maintenance
One of the most overlooked home maintenance tasks is checking the dryer vent and yet it’s one of the leading causes of house fires. Don’t be lazy when it comes to this task. It’s really important to check and be sure your dryer vent and hose is clear from debris and dust. Check both ends to be sure there are no clogs. Think about how much dust your poor dryer has to fight with. You’d never let an air cleaner filter go unchecked for months or years, so don’t let your dryer vent unchecked either.