Your home is the most significant investment of your life. And, as you should always do your best to protect your assets, taking care of the place where you live needs to be on your priority list. One of the best ways to do it is to create a home maintenance plan for every season of the year.
Even if you have never made any home repairs in the past, you should have no problems following a few simple home maintenance tips. They range from checking your air conditioning installation and restoring power to dead outlets to double-checking your gutters and downspouts, inspecting your roof, and testing your smoke detectors. Here is what you can do to make your home safer and better-looking.
Clean the Air Conditioning Installation
The air conditioning installation is one of the most expensive and complex home improvements, so the last thing you want to do is ignore it. You can extend the life of your air conditioner if you make sure that the vents are clean and clear of any obstructions. Also, there shouldn’t be any leaks where the refrigerant lines are connected.
You should change the air filters once every month so that you keep your unit running smoothly. However, it would be best to use only high-quality filters to increase the efficiency by up to 30 percent. Lastly, you should check the outdoor condensing unit from time to time to ensure that there are no leaks or loose parts.
And, if you do not have air conditioning installed in your home yet, now is the perfect time to change that. With summer heat waves closing in, you should look for ways to keep your home cool at all times. Luckily, a professional company can quickly install an AC unit in your home.
All you have to do is contact your local company that offers air conditioning installations. For example, if you live in New Jersey, you can look for an air conditioning installation service in New Jersey.
Restore Power to Dead Outlets
While many homeowners believe that dead outlets are a common issue caused by faulty wiring, it’s actually often a result of overloaded circuits. The first thing you should do is check for broken and worn-out electrical cords.
The next step is to check your circuit breaker panel to see if there is an overload on any of the circuits. If there are no issues with the circuit breakers, then you need to trace the circuit through your main electrical panel until you find the problem.
Inspect Your Gutters and Downspouts
Properly working gutters and downspouts are essential for preventing water damage and prolonging the life of your roofing system. That’s why you should check them at least twice a year and remove all debris from them. If you need a boost for your plumbing business, follow this guide from Dagmar Marketing.
Besides, make sure that the downspouts don’t have holes or cracks in their elbows or terminations. If you do nothing about it, water will leak into your walls and create severe damage.
Inspect Your Roof
While inspecting your roof, you need to make sure that there are no cracks or broken tiles between the layers. Also, make sure that your roof is well-ventilated, with no missing or damaged shingles. Otherwise, your roof won’t have enough space for proper ventilation, which can lead to moisture accumulation on top of your shingles and rotting the wood underneath it. Inspect your attic insulation and make sure it’s in good condition too.
Test Your Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are one of the most critical components of a home safety system, so you should always check them regularly. This way, you can prevent potential fire hazards.
You should change smoke detector batteries at least once a year and test them monthly. After installing a new battery, a working smoke detector will usually beep for about 10 seconds before going silent again. To prevent false alarms from happening, make sure there are no other electrical devices nearby that could set off your smoke detector, such as a microwave oven.
Inspect Your Ceiling Fans
At least once a year, make sure you inspect your ceiling fans and clean them thoroughly. It’s a good idea to replace any broken or missing blades immediately. Just switch off the power and use a screwdriver to remove the blades for inspection and cleaning. After you place the fan back up, make sure all screws are correctly tightened.
Check Your Range Hood Vents
Most homeowners don’t realize this, but range hood vents prevent grease from building up on the walls and ceilings. So, if they are not working correctly, you can expect a mess in your kitchen after every meal.
Before cleaning out your vents, make sure to turn off the power. Then, unscrew the back panels and vacuum out all accumulated grease with various attachments.
Check Your Water Heater Installation
Before checking your water heater installation, you need to turn off the power to it by switching off the circuit breaker. Don’t forget to wear protective gloves and eyewear before you open the access panel.
Once you do that, check the water level inside the tank and make sure that it’s at least one inch above the heating elements. If there is no water in there, then it’s time to call a plumber.
Conclusion
Your home is your sanctuary, so you need to take care of it and maintain it properly. This way, you can protect your investment and enjoy spending time in a safe and comfortable space.
It’s essential to keep in mind that home maintenance doesn’t necessarily mean extensive construction work. It can include simple things that everyone can do if they want to live in an upgraded and well-maintained house.
If you follow the simple home maintenance tips we mentioned, you will avoid potential issues and significantly extend the lifespan of your home as well as improve its overall aesthetics.
Gray Williams
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