To spruce up your home, ensure everything is well-maintained. You want your property to be in the best condition before making changes. But maintaining the home is not always that straightforward. To help you, we have some tips from home maintenance experts to ensure your house is always functional and aesthetically pleasing. From better HVAC systems to free-flowing drains, your property can stand out with all these maintenance tasks made easy. Keep reading for a more comfortable home where the family can safely create lasting memories.
Energy-Eating HVAC
Not all HVAC systems are made equal. Many are not energy efficient, consuming much energy throughout the day without your knowledge. If you have one in your home, it contributes to your large electric bill and burns a hole in your wallet. Because of this, you want your HVAC system to always be efficient and functional. With some tips from home maintenance experts, you can change how much electricity it uses for heating or cooling your home.
You should regularly clean it, starting from the filters. HVAC filters keep dust and other floating air particles from circulating within the home. But over time, it will accumulate so much dust, making the system much less efficient. Clean the filters by vacuuming them to remove the buildup, then washing and rinsing them before placing them back on the unit. Make sure to check if your system has multiple filters and if you need to replace them.
Next, contact an HVAC professional if you see any issues. From air conditioner repairs to replacements, these experts can handle any problem. They will have the right tools for the job and get it fixed quickly to restore your home’s functionality. Ask your HVAC contractor about how to properly take care of your HVAC system, depending on the model of the unit and the climate in your area. This will ensure it lasts for longer while maintaining maximum energy efficiency.
Leaky Pipes
You should also maintain your home’s plumbing system well to avoid issues. Leaky pipes are notorious for causing major damage because they can be hard to detect, especially in inconspicuous places like the ceiling or within the walls. It would be best if you repaired them immediately, or you risk having other costly repairs. By preventing the leak from becoming more destructive, you can save yourself from spending a lot of money.
Some leaks are relatively easy to repair. For example, you can easily fix a without taking apart the entire sink system. You can also replace the faucet if that’s the problem, as many faucet fixtures are available in your local hardware store. Even if you’re not handy with tools, online tutorials can guide you through the task without step-by-step instructions. Just diagnose the issue properly to avoid trying to fix something that isn’t broken.
If you don’t trust yourself with these tools or think the problem is more complex than it looks, you can benefit more from hiring home maintenance experts in plumbing. A local plumber can easily tell the problem and fix it immediately to avoid damage. They can also help you maintain your plumbing system so that it lasts longer, especially if you have an older home. With a plumber’s expertise, they can patch up simple leaks or replace every pipe in your home to keep your property functional.
HVAC Inspections
Aside from fixing HVAC issues when you see them, you must also keep up with regular inspections to keep it running like a well-oiled machine. Scheduling this inspection at least twice yearly is good, but an older HVAC system may require more maintenance checks and repairs. By having the system checked regularly, you can avoid issues before they become more difficult to fix later. Proactive maintenance can go a long way in making the system last.
Home maintenance experts specializing in HVAC systems will look at the actual unit and then check the ducts and pipes connected to it. They will assess how efficient it is and make suggestions on how to make them more effective in cooling or heating your property. Of course, they can also take care of an air conditioning or furnace repair if they find a problem with your system. This will ensure your home is always at the perfect temperature for the best family living conditions.
Hot Water
During the colder season, you want to always have hot water ready when you take a shower or wash the dishes. You don’t want to do these tasks while shivering because you failed to maintain your heater. While your hot water heater is useful for winter, you might forget about it for the rest of the year and find it not working when you need it most. So make sure to get it checked during the autumn season to ensure you can use it for winter.
Always check if your heater can deliver the right temperature. The water should only be as hot as how you set it. You might need to repair it if it’s always scalding hot or lukewarm. You should also listen for strange noises and look out for leaks. These issues can break down your heater more quickly. Call the repairman if you see any problems.
Home maintenance experts also suggest flushing out any sediment buildup when you notice it. This will help the heater get the water to the right temperature without consuming more electricity. Look for a local heating expert to help you do this if you’re unsure where to start. Depending on your usage, they can also advise you on how to maintain it for as long as possible.
Gutter Maintenance
The roof protects the home but can only do its job with functional gutters. Your gutters lead rainwater away from your home through pipes and downspouts. If it isn’t working correctly, water will stagnate somewhere on your roof and cause leaks and many other issues. Make sure to tackle gutter maintenance regularly to avoid these costly problems.
Start by inspecting your gutters. Look for any holes and gaps where water can leak. You can easily patch up these holes, but you might have to realign some of them if gaps are there due to shifting gutters. You should also check for blockage, such as leaves and twigs, dust and sediments, or even animal nests. Clear these out to ensure water can flow freely when it rains. To clear out your pipes, run water through your gutter system until you no longer see any muck or sludge coming out.
You can also call home maintenance experts to help clear your gutter if you cannot do it yourself. They can significantly help if you have gutter guards that can be more difficult to clean or narrow gutters where your hands can’t fit. They will have tools to help clear your gutter system quickly and thoroughly. Gutter professionals can also take care of those leaks, if there are any. They can help prevent water damage by maintaining your gutters for the rainy season.
Full Septic Tank
Although not a glamorous topic, you must also think about your home’s septic system. All the waste from your sinks and toilets goes to the septic tank, and over the years, it will get full, requiring a pumping job and a bit of cleaning. Failing to empty a full septic tank can cause clogging and a big, stinky mess inside your home.
Most homes have an underground septic tank, so you can only look out for some common signs. For example, strange odors from your drains can signify a full septic tank. You may also notice your toilets flushing slower than usual or debris coming out when not in use. If you notice any of these signs, contact local septic companies to help you out.
Septic experts have all the right equipment to clear out your tank without all the mess and the stench. They are fully equipped to safely do the task, as there are certain risks when handling human waste. They can also do regular maintenance to avoid dealing with a full septic tank, which can damage your home in the long run. Schedule an appointment with these home maintenance experts every three to five years to ensure a good home septic system.
Storm Preparation
Storms can create a lot of issues in the home, and one of them is stormwater runoff. Too much rain can erode the soil and drag sediments underground into your drainage system. This can clog drains and cause flooding later on. Additionally, stagnant water after a storm can stay on your property for some time, causing soaked spots on your lawn and flooded areas around your home. Having a functional drainage system can help you avoid expensive repairs later.
Prevention is better than cure, so consider investing in a catch basin. This box connects to your central drainage system and catches debris like rocks, soil, leaves, and twigs, preventing them from clogging your property. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you can find this device in a local hardware or gardening center and install it yourself. But you can hire home maintenance experts to install one for you. They can assess your landscape and find the right area to install it.
To further prevent clogging, clean your surroundings before a storm. Any small debris, like leaves and pebbles, can cause flooding during the storm, so clear them out before the rain starts. Trim back any overhanging branches and secure your outdoor furniture and decorations to ensure safety. You don’t want to have projectiles flying around in strong winds. By preparing your home well, you can avoid any significant issues, no matter how strong a storm is.
AC Updates
During the summer, a functioning air conditioner is necessary to ensure comfort. It’s never fun to stay inside a sweltering home. While most houses will have an AC, not all are efficient for cooling. Consider updating your AC system to ensure it always brings your home to a more sensible temperature when the heat arrives.
Consider a new AC install if your system is very old. Although a bit pricey, it can maintain a cool temperature inside your home without consuming too much electricity. Newer air conditioning unit models are more energy-efficient and have environment-friendly features like power-saving settings. They also emit less emissions, helping you to reduce your carbon footprint. Ask some home maintenance experts about what brands are best for your home to ensure a good fit with your lifestyle.
If you’re not too keen on installing a new system, consider other upgrades, like installing a smart thermostat. This technology helps maintain a consistent temperature inside your home without adjusting it manually. You can program the setting to automatically turn on or off, no matter where you are. You can even set different zones to cool separate rooms at certain times during the day. This ensures comfort without all the hassle, helping you beat the summer heat without breaking a sweat.
Clogged Drains
You can have a bathroom surprise if you don’t take care of your bathroom drains. Clogs can cause bad smells and nasty gunk to come out while you shower. Although you can prevent them by cleaning the drain of your sink and shower after every use, soap deposits will still build up within them. So, when you notice this buildup accumulating, consider deep cleaning the drain to avoid clogs.
Drain cleaning can be a quick DIY with the right tools. You can clean sink drains with a store-bought cleaning solution to break down soap, oil, and food buildup. Leave it for a few minutes, then run the water to remove whatever’s left in the sink. For shower drains clogged by hair, you can use a drain snake to pull out hair clumps blocking the drain manually. You can also use a plunger if the clog already restricts water flow. To further prevent this issue, consider investing in drain covers to catch hair and other things while using your sink or shower.
But if this is all too gross, you can hire a handyman to do the dirty job. These home maintenance experts can do it quickly without making a mess in your bathroom. They will also have specialized tools to deal with stubborn clogs that you can’t resolve with just a simple cleaner solution or drain snake. From hardened grease to food debris, they’ve seen it all and can effectively remove them to avoid clogging.
Home Additions
Consider some custom home additions to spruce up your space and maintain a beautiful and functional home. You can add an extra room for a new family member or a wooden deck to lounge on while having breakfast. You have many options for home additions, but choosing what makes you happy can significantly improve your comfort and relaxation after a long day at work.
These additions can be expensive, but they are great investments when maintaining your home for future sale. Make sure to design a good layout and work with home maintenance experts to maximize your budget for this project. Let your imagination run wild when planning the space because, with unique additions that fit your style and needs, you will love coming home for many years.
With tips from home maintenance experts, you can have a comfortable and functional home all year. From tacking clogged drains to repairing your HVAC system, these tips can help keep your home space in the best condition. Always keep up with inspections and hire professionals when needed. Whether a simple fix or a complete home renovation, investing in maintenance will help you avoid costly repairs later on.