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Just like going for a regular check-up with the doctor, it’s important to have a schedule for the house maintenance routine. Keeping an eye on things like the outside of your house, appliances, heating and cooling systems, plumbing, security, and electricity will stop problems before they happen, save you money, and make sure your home stays in top shape.
Here’s what we recommend for your house maintenance routine this year!
What is House Maintenance?
House maintenance means taking care of your home to keep it safe, comfortable, and in good condition. It involves regular tasks like cleaning, repairing, and inspecting different parts of your house to prevent problems and make sure everything works properly. Overall, house maintenance helps you avoid bigger problems and costly repairs down the road, keeping your home a safe and pleasant place to live.
Here are a few examples:
- Cleaning gutters to prevent water damage to the roof and walls.
- Checking and changing air filters to keep the air clean and the HVAC system running efficiently.
- Fixing leaks in faucets or pipes to avoid water damage and high water bills.
- Painting walls and exteriors to protect them from weather damage and keep the house looking nice.
- Trimming trees and bushes to prevent them from damaging the roof or blocking sunlight.
Why Do You Need House Maintenance?
House maintenance is important for several reasons:
Preservation
House maintenance means keeping your house in good shape over time. When you fix small problems quickly, like a leaky faucet or a cracked window, you stop them from getting worse and costing a ton of money to fix later. For example, if you notice a small crack in your wall, fixing it right away with house maintenance can stop it from getting bigger and causing serious damage to your home’s structure.
Safety
Taking care of your house maintenance means keeping it safe for everyone who lives there. This involves things like making sure the wiring is okay so there’s no risk of fire, checking for gas leaks to prevent accidents, and having sturdy handrails on stairs to prevent falls.
Comfort
A well-maintained home through house maintenance is a comfy home. It means you can keep the temperature just right, fix any leaks so you don’t have to deal with water problems, and make sure your appliances work properly, so you’re not left without a working fridge or stove. For instance, if your air conditioner isn’t working well, getting it fixed through house maintenance means you won’t have to sweat it out during hot summer days.
Property Value
Keeping up with house maintenance can actually make your house worth more money. When your house looks good and everything works well, it’s more attractive to people who might want to buy it. So, if you ever decide to sell, you could get a higher price for it.
Cost Savings
This might sound surprising, but spending money on regular house maintenance can actually save you cash in the long run. By fixing things early on, you can avoid big, expensive repairs later. For example, replacing a worn-out roof shingle now through house maintenance could save you from having to fix water damage to your ceiling later.
Monthly House Maintenance Checklist
Looking after your home and doing small improvement tasks every month will help you stay on top of your schedule and make it easier to handle. Follow this simple house maintenance checklist each month to save time and money:
- Clean the furnace filter to get rid of dust, control your home’s temperature, and reduce energy bills.
- Check the water softener and add salt if needed.
- Look for debris in tub and sink drains; clear them if necessary.
- Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and all safety outlets. Also, check the gauge and expiry date on fire extinguishers.
- Check electrical cords for any damage.
- Vacuum heat registers and vents.
- Make sure indoor and outdoor air vents are not blocked.
- Flush hot water from the water heater to get rid of any sediment.
- Clean the garbage disposal by grinding ice cubes, then flushing with hot water and baking soda.
Things to Remember:
A monthly house maintenance cleaning checklist can help you stay on top of chores and spare you from hours-long cleaning marathons. Block out time once a month for these cleaning tasks to keep your home looking its best.
- Kitchen cabinets collect food, grease, and dust over time. Clean them as needed with a non-scratch scrub sponge and grease-cutting dish soap like Dawn.
- Freshen up upholstered furniture with specialty vacuum attachments. Use the upholstery brush for sofas and chairs, and the crevice tool for between-cushion crumbs.
- Clean small windows with lint-free cloths or paper towels. Use clear water for slightly dirty windows, and a commercial glass spray or homemade solution for dirtier ones.
- Polish mirrors monthly with a commercial glass cleaner and soft rags. For dirty spots, use a solution of vinegar, ammonia, and water.
- Wash the kitchen trash container and area with a disinfecting cleaner. Keep extra trash bags at the bottom for quick replacement.
- Vacuum curtains and clean blinds with a solution of water and ammonia using rubber gloves.
- Clean the stove surface with an all-purpose cleaner or vinegar solution. Spot-treat spills with a gentle abrasive cleanser or baking soda paste.
- Wipe the refrigerator interior with a baking soda solution. Wash shelves with soap and water, and clean door seals with mild detergent.
- Change or clean heating and cooling system filters monthly to optimise efficiency.
Learn How to Clean Your Home Now!
Keep on schedule with this maintenance list, and not only will your home run like a well-oiled engine, you’ll also save money in the long run. If you are considering selling your house in the near future, you’ll definitely want to get it to an A+ state first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is house maintenance?
House maintenance means taking care of your home by doing regular tasks like cleaning, fixing, and checking to keep everything in good shape. It’s like taking care of your house so it stays safe and comfy.
Why is house maintenance important?
House maintenance is important because it helps prevent problems from getting worse and costing a lot of money to fix. It also keeps your home safe, comfortable, and valuable.
How often should I clean my house?
It depends on your house and how much it gets dirty, but generally, doing basic cleaning tasks like vacuuming, dusting, and wiping down surfaces once a week is a good idea. Some tasks, like washing windows or cleaning the refrigerator, can be done less often, like once a month.
What are some easy house maintenance tasks I can do?
Regular house maintenance is important to keep your home in good shape. You can do simple tasks like checking for leaks, cleaning air filters, testing smoke detectors, cleaning gutters, trimming trees, inspecting caulking, cleaning dryer vents, maintaining kitchen appliances, and checking light bulbs.